This Dairy Free Buttercream Frosting recipe will blow you away. Super simple and minimal ingredients are in between you and a delicious vegan buttercream frosting recipe.
Dairy free buttercream frosting is the answer to all your sweet tooth cravings. A delicious vegan buttercream frosting can literally can the entire way you look at the dessert you are having at the time. It is so smooth and creamy. Best of all, this dairy free buttercream frosting spreads so well or can be piped easily on top of anything.
This dairy free buttercream frosting is great on top of everything from cake and cupcakes, to cinnamon rolls and more. We won’t even tell if you just lick it off the spoon.
This is a dairy free, egg free, vegan buttercream frosting recipe. A simple swap can make this a Top 8 Allergy Friendly Buttercream Frosting recipe.
What ingredients do you need for dairy free buttercream frosting?
Just like our delicious dairy free chocolate frosting only needed six ingredients, this dairy free buttercream frosting recipe is minimal in ingredients too. Even better, is that you only need FOUR ingredients to make this super simple dairy free buttercream frosting.
One of the best parts of making your own vegan buttercream frosting, is you know exactly what the ingredients are. No more questionable ingredients or long lists you have to sort through. The ingredients you need for this dairy free frosting recipe are:
- vegan butter
- powdered sugar
- unsweetened milk (we used almond)
- vanilla extract
How do you make dairy free buttercream frosting?
To starting making dairy free buttercream frosting, add the vegan butter to a large bowl and beat with a mixer until creamy. Next, sift in the powdered sugar. Add the milk and vanilla extract to the bowl and beat until combined.
It’s literally that simple to make a deliciously, creamy and spreadable dairy free buttercream frosting recipe. It takes just about 5 minutes to make. Never again will you have to wonder what is in your container of buttercream frosting or fret because you forgot to grab a tub from the store. Super easy and betting tasting dairy free frosting is right at your finger tips.
Do I have to sift the powdered sugar to make dairy free buttercream frosting?
Sifting in the case of making dairy free frosting is crucial. I know, I know, it’s easier to just dump right into the bowl; however, this is one step that you don’t want to skip if you are trying to make the perfect dairy free frosting recipe.
There’s two main reasons that you need to sift the powdered sugar in order to get the perfect vegan frosting recipe. First, sifting removes the lumps in powdered sugar that is caused from the sugar absorbing moisture. Second, when you sift powdered sugar, it makes it fluffier.
In shorter terms, if you want a dairy free buttercream frosting that isn’t lumpy, then you really need to sift the powdered sugar.
CAN I MAKE DAIRY FREE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING AHEAD OF TIME?
Whether you are prepping for a holiday get together, party, or birthday, being able to plan ahead and get things done is always beneficial. Thankfully, you can absolutely make this dairy free buttercream frosting ahead of time. Simply, make as instructed and then place this dairy free frosting in the fridge in an air tight container. This vegan frosting recipe will last in the fridge for up to 2 weeks if stored properly.
What can I use the dairy free buttercream frosting with?
If you like sweet cinnamon rolls they you’ll definitely want to pair this dairy free frosting with our pumpkin cinnamon rolls recipe.
If you’re a fan of chocolate cake with a buttercream frosting then definitely pair this dairy free frosting with our triple layer dairy free chocolate cake.
Of course you can use this dairy free buttercream frosting for any other of your favorite cakes (like a dairy free vanilla cake), cupcakes, cake pops and more. Try serving it on a platter with fresh fruit and graham crackers or sandwiched between these almond butter oatmeal cookies or ginger snaps.
Dairy Free Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- ½ cup vegan butter
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2-4 tbsps unsweetened dairy free milk (we used almond)
- 1.5 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- In a bowl, cream the butter by beating with a mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes.
- Sift in the powdered sugar and beat to combine.
- Add in 2 tbsps dairy free milk and vanilla and mix again just until incorporated. If you need it thinner, add up to 2 more tablespoons of milk.
- Use immediately or store in air tight container for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Nutrition
Pin this dairy free buttercream frosting recipe for later:
Elijah Higgins
I don’t really know what happened, but the buttercream was grainy. So I had to put it in the fridge for a couple of hours and it turned out great on my vegan cupcakes.
Larisha Bernard
Glad it still turned out. Sometimes the vegan butter that’s used is water based instead of oil based will have that happen
Sav
Does the butter need to be room temp? I looked everywhere and it’s not mentioned…
LarishaBernard
No. Vegan butter is already usually softer than dairy butter so it creams easier.
Kevin R
Didn’t feel like spending $30+ for a vegan birthday cake, so I decided to make my own. Never made a cake before; let alone a two layer, marbled one. Never made butter cream before; let alone vegan. Never frosted a cake before. Thank you for the great write-up and videos. Simple ingredients and easy to follow (even when I decided to complicate it by wanting a marbled cake).
LarishaBernard
So glad that you loved it!
April
Was looking at this for possible pumpkin cake. Was wondering if your buttercream hardens in the fridge enough to be slightly shaped? Or to use as a decorating frosting for leaves? Thanks
LarishaBernard
Yes it can be shaped
Tahira Akhtar
Which butter do you use? Can you use tub butter or would that be too soft?
LarishaBernard
Earth Balance or Flora. Can use the tub
Ann
Amazing! Really easy to make and tasted great! I followed the recipe as is (used ~2 1/3 Tbsp Ripple milk). I used Country Crock’s plant butter with olive oil. Made this for cinnamon rolls and it frosted really nicely 🙂
LarishaBernard
Awesome! So happy to hear that you enjoyed it!
Tahira Akhtar
Could you make this into a chocolate frosting so add some cocoa powder to it? Thanks in advance
LarishaBernard
Yes you could.
We have a chocolate frosting written out if you’d prefer: https://makeitdairyfree.com/dairy-free-chocolate-frosting/
Tristan
This buttercream frosting is amazing and it’s light as in not too sweet like icing. It’s simple and quick to make. Thank you two.
LarishaBernard
We’re so excited to hear that it was a hit! Thanks for taking time to leave a review, we really appreciate that. Have a great week!
marisa
I try a lot of vegan cupcake recipes and so far these by far were the most delicious!! I did use Bobs 1:1 Gluten free flour so in case anyone else does just make sure to fill to the top since it doesn’t rise as well as regular baking flour. The coconut flavor baked in and you could not taste it. These are a favorite in this house!! Thanks for the recipe!!
LarishaBernard
So happy to hear that they were a hit! Thanks for sharing your substitutions! We appreciate you taking time to leave a review. Have a great week.
pym
i am diabetic. would this work with erythrol powder? thank much
LarishaCampbell
We haven’t tried but we have seen stevia mixed with cornstarch and blended to substitute, hope this helps.
amanda
i just made this with a natural vanilla from mexico that was a gift and it turned out amazing. i did only add 1/2tsp do to it being a bit stronger then what I’m used to using!!!!
LarishaCampbell
ohhh I bet that was amazing!
Rubi Kaur
I’m making this I’ll let you know how it turns out. But I looks good anyways.
LarishaCampbell
Thanks, we hope you love it!
lindsay dwarka
this is a great recipe! i wonder, could i add lemon juice or something like that to flavor the frosting? have you tried that?
thanks!
LarishaCampbell
You could! I would pick an extract like lemon or raspberry extract