This vegan vanilla frosting recipe is a delightfully sweet treat that will elevate your cakes and cupcakes! Its combination of dairy-free butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and plant-based milk creates a heavenly topping that's perfect to pair with any type of cake.
Get ready to experience this velvety smooth frosting as it melts in your mouth. Ready in just 10 minutes, it’s a simple and delicious way to make your cake recipes truly spectacular!
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Vegan Vanilla Frosting Ingredients
This vegan vanilla frosting recipe uses just four simple ingredients to achieve a super creamy, irresistible result. To make it, all you’ll need is:
- Vegan Butter: Vegan butter is the base of this frosting, providing a rich and creamy texture. It adds a delightful buttery flavor and helps achieve that fluffy, light consistency we all love in a classic frosting.
- Icing Sugar: Also known as powdered sugar or confectioners' sugar, this ingredient plays a crucial role in sweetening the frosting and creating a texture that is easy to pipe or frost a cake with.
- Vanilla Extract: The star flavor-booster of this recipe is vanilla extract. It adds a warm and inviting aroma, infusing the frosting with a classic vanilla flavor.
- Plant-Based Milk: Dairy-free milk serves as a liquid component in the frosting, ensuring that it's soft enough to be piped or spread smoothly over cakes and cupcakes. I often choose soy milk, but you can use other plant-based milk options like almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk.
How to Make this Recipe
In about 10 minutes, you can turn four simple ingredients into a wonderfully rich and delicious vegan vanilla frosting! Just follow the steps below and your cake topping will turn out great every time.
Step 1: Whip Vegan Butter
Start by placing your measured vegan butter into a large mixing bowl.
Using an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, whip the butter on high speed until it becomes fluffy and turns a light color.
Scrape down the edges of the bowl occasionally, to ensure that all the butter is evenly whipped. I typically scrape the edges down 2-3 times while whipping.
Step 2: Mix Frosting
Next, add your remaining ingredients, including the icing sugar, vanilla extract, and plant-based milk, into the mixing bowl.
Use the lowest speed setting on your electric hand mixer to gently mix the ingredients together. Once the sugar is incorporated, turn up the speed and whip the frosting on high speed for a few seconds.
If the frosting's consistency is too thick, add additional plant-based milk one teaspoon at a time until it reaches the desired texture.
The frosting should be soft enough to pipe or spread easily, and it will firm when chilled.
Step 3: Decorate Cake/Cupcakes
After your cake or cupcakes have completely cooled, frost them with this luscious vegan buttercream!
Use a knife or a piping bag to spread the frosting on your treats and get creative with different designs and decorations. I typically like to add colorful sprinkles to vanilla-frosted cakes.
This recipe yields enough frosting to generously cover 12 cupcakes or a small 2-layer cake (approximately 6-7 inches in diameter).
Vegan Vanilla Buttercream Recipe Variations
This dairy-free vanilla buttercream recipe is a versatile base that you can customize to suit your taste preferences. Here are some exciting variations to try:
- Citrus Twist: Add a zesty twist to your frosting by incorporating one tablespoon of lemon or orange zest. A subtle tanginess will complement the vanilla beautifully.
- Berry Bliss: Blend in some powdered/ crushed freeze-dried berries for a gorgeous color and fresh fruity flavor.
- Cozy Coconut: Replace the vanilla extract with coconut extract (start with just 1 teaspoon) and sprinkle some shredded coconut on top for a tropical delight.
How to Store Leftover Vanilla Frosting
If you have any leftover vanilla frosting, simply transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 5 days. This frosting can also be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to a few months.
When you're ready to use it again, let the frosting come to room temperature and give it a quick whip with your hand mixer to restore its fluffy consistency and get it ready for piping.
If you make this recipe, please rate and comment below to help others benefit from your experience!
Vegan Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
Equipment
- Electric hand mixer (or stand mixer)
- Measuring cups (or kitchen scale)
- Measuring spoons
Ingredients
- ½ cup vegan butter , room temperature (115 grams)
- 2 ½ cups icing sugar (370 grams)*
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (10 milliliters)
- 2-3 tablespoons plant-based milk , I use soy milk (30-45 milliliters)
Instructions
Step 1: Whip Vegan Butter
- In a large mixing bowl, add butter and, using an electric hand mixer (or stand mixer with whisk attachment), whip it on high speed until the butter appears fluffy and light in color.½ cup vegan butter
- Scrape down the edges of your bowl a couple times to make sure all the butter is nicely whipped.
Step 2: Mix Frosting
- Add the remaining ingredients to the mixing bowl.2 ½ cups icing sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 2-3 tablespoons plant-based milk
- Using the lowest speed setting, mix the ingredients together. If needed, add additional plant-based milk 1 teaspoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency (frosting should be soft enough to pipe/spread easily and will firm when chilled).
- Once the icing sugar is mixed into your butter, turn the hand mixer speed to high to whip the frosting for about 30 seconds.
Step 3: Decorate Cake/ Cupcakes
- Once your cake or cupcakes are fully cooled, frost with this buttercream using either a knife or piping bag. This makes enough frosting for 12 cupcakes or a small (6-7 inch) 2-layer cake.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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About Nicole Stevens
Nicole is a vegan Registered Dietitian (RD) and founder of Lettuce Veg Out.
She helps people thrive on a vegan diet with balanced recipes and easy-to-understand nutrition science.
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