Vegan Vanilla Frosting
You’ll love this easy, creamy vegan vanilla frosting recipe made with a few ingredients. It’s the perfect topping for cakes and cupcakes!
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When I’m making one of my favorite vegan cakes or vegan cupcakes, it’s always a dilemma to decide which vegan buttercream frosting to top it with. This dairy-free vanilla frosting is so smooth and creamy, it’s a favorite!
Ingredients & Substitutions
You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.
Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe, including substitution ideas:
- Vegan butter — You’ll need either vegan butter or coconut oil. Vegan butter has a better consistency regardless of the temperature, whereas coconut oil frosting melts at a higher temperature. The butter should be softened, so set it out at room temperature for around 30 minutes.
- Coconut oil — Use refined coconut oil for a more neutral flavor. You can substitute vegetable shortening.
- Powdered Sugar — I recommend sifting powdered sugar before pouring it into the frosting so you’re not left with any lumps.
- Plant-based creamer — I like using a dairy-free creamer (the kinds used for coffee). You can substitute rich non-dairy milk, such as soy milk.
- Vanilla extract.
The Magic Behind the Recipe
- Creaming the vegan butter aerates it, increasing its volume and creating a lighter texture
- Using half butter and half coconut oil keeps this frosting light and bright with a buttery flavor and better consistency.
- Using powdered sugar makes this a simple buttercream recipe, making it easy to make and a delicious topping for your next cake
- Adding vegan creamer creates a smooth, spreadable consistency.
How to Make Vegan Vanilla Frosting
My main goal with this vegan frosting was to make it easy and delicious! So, here are the steps to make the ultimate dairy-free frosting recipe:
- Cream the butter by mixing on medium speed for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add powdered sugar and mix until combined. Then add vegan creamer, one tablespoon at a time, until it’s a spreadable consistency.
- Add vanilla extract and stir until combined.
Storage Tips
Store frosting in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Allow frosting to come to room temperature before using.
Perfect Frosting Tips
Want to create a vegan frosting that’s creamy, fluffy, and rivals any traditional recipe? Here are my secrets for flawless results:
- Room Temperature is Key: Make sure your vegan butter and plant-based milk are at room temperature before starting. Cold ingredients lead to lumpy frosting.
- Choose the Right Vegan Butter: Opt for block-style vegan butter with a high fat content (around 60% or higher) and low water content. Avoid spreadable tub-style margarines.
- Whip it Well: Use the whisk attachment on your mixer and whip the vegan butter for several minutes until it becomes light and fluffy. This incorporates air for the perfect texture.
- Flavor Boost: Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract or try other variations like cocoa powder, fruit purée, or a splash of your favorite liqueur.
Note: These tips are perfect for creating a classic vegan buttercream. You might find some variation with specialty frostings like cream cheese frosting or whipped toppings.
Serving Vanilla Frosting
Vanilla frosting often gets overshadowed by its chocolate counterpart, but it’s incredibly versatile and delicious. love spreading it over my vegan sugar cookies for a sweet treat! You can also enjoy this creamy, buttery frosting on:
- My Vegan Chocolate Cake is great on its own or with a generous layer of frosting
- Between two graham crackers for a childhood throwback treat.
- These Vegan Blackberry Donuts are even better with a bit of vanilla buttercream on top.
Making Vanilla Icing Healthy
Trying to reduce sugar in your diet? You can easily make a healthier, sugar-free vanilla frosting.
Simply substitute Swerve Powdered Sugar, a zero-calorie sweetener that has minimal impact on blood sugar levels. This swap will significantly lower the carbs in this recipe, allowing you to enjoy your frosting guilt-free!
Frequently-Asked Questions
How can we make buttercream frosting without butter?
You can use vegan butter rather than standard cow-dairy butter. Combining it with coconut oil or vegetable shortening creates the best color, flavor, and consistency.
Is vanilla frosting vegan?
Yes, vanilla frosting can be vegan if made with the right ingredients. Use plant-based butter and non-dairy milk, and ensure your powdered sugar is vegan. With these substitutions, you can enjoy delicious, cruelty-free vanilla frosting!
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Vegan Vanilla Frosting
Ingredients
- ½ cup vegan butter , softened
- ½ cup coconut oil , softened (see note)
- 3 cups powdered sugar , sifted
- 3 tablespoons plant-based creamer
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Beat the vegan butter and coconut oil with a mixer until creamy. Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time.
- Add the creamer one tablespoon at a time until the desired spreadable consistency is reached.
- Add vanilla and mix one more time to combine.
- Store frosting in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. When you're ready to use it, allow it to come to room temperature and maybe even add another teaspoon or two of plant-based milk until the spreadable consistency returns.
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Notes
The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
More Vegan Frosting
Do you love this vegan vanilla frosting recipe? Here are some more vegan icing recipes you’ll love to make:
This vanilla cake icing recipe is a go-to favorite, but you can also try this Vegan Chocolate Frosting recipe or my Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting, too!
That’s it for this vegan vanilla frosting recipe. Enjoy!
About the Author
Hi! I’m Marly McMillen. I’m the founding editor, author, recipe developer, vegan home chef, and food stylist behind Namely Marly. I’m so grateful to you and every member of my audience for your support and dedication. More about Namely Marly ›
4 Responses to Vegan Vanilla Frosting
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Hi, this will be the first time doing anything vegan, so I’m pretty much clueless to it. My question. Is, the creamer used in this recipe is coffee creamer? And which shortening is best to use if I’m not using coconut oil?
Hi Sheil! This is a great recipe to begin with because it’s pretty straight forward. If you’re not going to use coconut oil, you could substitute it with more vegan butter or you can use whatever vegetable shortening you have available. I usually use Cristco. Regarding the creamer, I like using any non-dairy creamer (yes, like a coffee creamer), such as Silk, or others. I find these either in the health food section of my local grocery store, or even in the section with the other creamers. Just look at the labels – it should say plantbased, vegan, or non-dairy.
This looks fabulous Marly, and i also one of favorite cupcake & vegan cakes…i will trying to making this..Thanks for sharing….!
Thanks, Macy! I’m so glad you like the vegan vanilla frosting too!