Looking for the perfect Vegan Cake Frosting that’s creamy, delicious, and completely dairy-free? This is it! Made with simple ingredients, this dairy-free buttercream has a creamy texture, a light and fluffy consistency, and is incredibly easy to customize. Whether you’re making a classic vanilla frosting, a rich chocolate buttercream, or a fruity strawberry variation, this recipe is perfect for any occassion.
Try this vegan frosting on Vegan Strawberry Cake, Vegan Carrot Cake, or Banana Walnut Cake.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fluffy and smooth consistency – Whipping the ingredients together creates a light, airy frosting perfect for frosting cupcakes or layering cakes.
- Customizable flavors – Whether you want a classic vanilla frosting, rich chocolate buttercream, or fruity strawberry frosting, this recipe has a delicious option for you.
- Made with plant-based ingredients – This vegan buttercream recipe uses non-dairy milk and vegan butter brands for a completely dairy-free treat.
- Perfect for cakes, cupcakes, and more – Pipe it onto layer cakes, spread it over vegan cupcakes, or use it for decorating a variety of cake recipes.
- Simple ingredients – This easy 4-ingredient recipe is quick to make and requires only pantry staples.
Ingredient Notes
Base Frosting Recipe (Vanilla)
- Vegan butter – Use vegan butter that is firmer like buttery sticks. If you can’t find those, stick your spreadable vegan butter into the freezer for 10 minutes prior to mixing.
- Powdered sugar – Do not substitute for granulated sugar. Your frosting will be heavy and gritty.
- Oat milk – Any non-dairy milk works fine here. You can also omit the milk all together if you want a thicker frosting.
- Vanilla extract – This is optional, but does add that classic vanilla flavor.
Strawberry Frosting
Follow the base recipe with the following changes:
- Swap the oat milk for equal parts strawberry puree. This is optional, but adds a lovely strawberry flavor.
- Swap the vanilla extract for strawberry extract.
- Add 8-10 drops of vegan food coloring for a bright pink color.
Chocolate Frosting
Follow the base recipe with the following changes:
- Add 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder after adding all of the powdered sugar
Helpful Equipment
In addition to measuring cups and spoons, the following equipment is helpful for this recipe:
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Paddle attachment
- Blender or food processor (for strawberry puree)
- Piping bags or cake spatula (optional, for decorating)
- Airtight container (for storage)
How to Make Vegan Cake Frosting
This is a detailed step-by-step guide on how to make this recipe including photographs. For the quick version, skip ahead to the recipe card below!
Start by whipping the vegan butter and oat milk in the bowl of a stand mixer or a large bowl using an electric mixer. Mix on low speed for about 2-3 minutes until air bubbles form and the mixture becomes fluffy.
Slowly add the powdered sugar, about 1/4 cup at a time, mixing on medium speed until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure an even consistency.
Finally, add the vanilla extract (or other flavorings) and continue mixing until you reach the perfect consistency and all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
For the strawberry frosting, use strawberry puree instead of oat milk for a fresh, fruity taste, and add a few drops of vegan food coloring for a vibrant pink hue.
For chocolate frosting, mix in cocoa powder to create a rich, chocolatey version of this delicious vegan buttercream frosting.
How to Serve Vegan Cake Frosting
This frosting is ideal for spreading over cakes, piping onto cupcakes, or using in layer cakes. It pairs beautifully with vegan chocolate cake, vanilla cake, or even a vegan carrot cake. Use a piping bag for a decorative finish, or spread it with a butter knife for a rustic look.
How to Store Vegan Cake Frosting
- Fridge: Store leftover frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Before using, let it come to room temperature and whip it again to restore its fluffy texture.
- Freezer: For longer storage, freeze the frosting for up to three months and thaw it in the fridge before re-whipping for 2-3 minutes.
More Tips
- Not Vegan? Use regular butter or dairy milk.
- Adjust the consistency as needed – Add more oat milk for a softer frosting or more powdered sugar for a stiffer texture.
- Experiment with flavors – Try adding lemon extract for a bright citrusy twist or 1 tbsp peanut butter for a different flavor!
- Whip the frosting well – Air bubbles create the perfect fluffy frosting, so don’t rush the mixing process.
FAQ
Yes! A hand mixer works just as well to achieve a creamy texture. Simply mix in a large bowl using an electric mixer until fluffy.
Powdered sugar is essential for the right consistency, I do not recommend swapping for granulated sugar.
Adding a pinch of salt or a bit of lemon juice can help balance the sweetness while maintaining the right consistency.
Yes! Coconut milk works as a substitute for oat milk, but it may slightly alter the flavor.
Absolutely! This vegan buttercream holds its shape well, making it perfect for decorating cakes and cupcakes.
Vegan Cake Frosting
Equipment
- Stand mixer (or hand mixer)
- Paddle attachment
- Blender (for strawberry puree)
- Piping bags (optional)
- Cake spatula (optional)
- Airtight container (for storage)
Ingredients
Vanilla Buttercream
- ½ cup vegan butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp oat milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Strawberry Buttercream
- ½ cup vegan butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp oat milk or strawberry puree
- 1 tsp strawberry extract
- 8-10 drops vegan food coloring
Chocolate Buttercream
- ½ cup vegan butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp oat milk
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
Instructions
- Start by whipping the vegan butter and oat milk in the bowl of a stand mixer.. Mix on low speed for about 2-3 minutes until air bubbles form and the mixture becomes fluffy.
- Add the powdered sugar about 1/4 cup at a time, mixing on medium speed until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure an even consistency.
- Finally, add the vanilla extract (or other flavorings) and continue mixing until you reach the perfect consistency and all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- For the strawberry frosting, use strawberry puree instead of oat milk, and add a few drops of vegan food coloring for a vibrant pink hue.
- For chocolate frosting, mix in cocoa powder to create a rich, chocolatey version of this delicious vegan buttercream frosting.
Notes
- Not Vegan? Use regular butter or dairy milk.
- Adjust the consistency as needed – Add more oat milk for a softer frosting or more powdered sugar for a stiffer texture.
- Experiment with flavors – Try adding lemon extract for a bright citrusy twist or 1 tbsp peanut butter for a different flavor!
- Whip the frosting well – Air bubbles create the perfect fluffy frosting, so don’t rush the mixing process.
Nutrition
Please note, while all ingredients used in this recipe have been verified to be vegan and free of applicable allergens at the time of recipe creation, different brands may differ in their ingredients or processing procedures and may change their ingredients at any time. For some recipes, I do include ingredients that are processed in a facility that processes other allergens. Please make sure to check the ingredients and processing procedures for your specific purchases to ensure they meet your dietary needs.
Last Updated on February 14, 2025
Hello, I can’t find vegan butter where I live, any subs?
Hi! You can sub vegetable shortening but it may lack the richness of flavor. Crisco’s butter flavored shortening is actually vegan and should be a similar flavor! Let me know how it turns out!
This frosting is so easy to make! I love that I can change up the flavor easily, and I have used it on cakes, cupcakes, and cookies with success!