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    You are at:Home»Dairy-Free Recipes»Dairy Free Desserts»Dairy-Free Buttercream Frosting for the Icing on the Vegan Cake

    Dairy-Free Buttercream Frosting for the Icing on the Vegan Cake

    18
    By Alisa Fleming on February 6, 2019 Dairy Free Desserts, Dairy-Free Recipes

    Yesterday we were talking about frosting on pie pops, and I wanted to make sure you have a deliciously versatile option. This dairy-free buttercream frosting is just like traditional buttercream, but with a couple simple swaps. The recipe is from my book, Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook, and it’s perfect for topping or filling so many types of desserts.

    Dairy-Free Buttercream Frosting Recipe - an essential basic that's also vegan and allergy-friendly

    Dairy-Free Buttercream Frosting for the Icing on the Vegan Cake

    Sometimes, it’s hard to find that perfect frosting, but this recipe is it. It includes very simple ingredients and I have some guidance to ensure delicious results.

    It’s easy to forget that quality really matters in a recipe with so few ingredients. In this case, the “butter” is key, so be sure to pick one with a flavor that you really like.

    We prefer to use buttery sticks in this dairy-free buttercream frosting recipe rather than buttery spread, as it tends to be firmer. The buttery sticks are usually sold next to the buttery spreads, and are made by a few companies. Or, you can use the Bakeable Butter Recipe in my cookbook, Go Dairy Free 2nd Edition.

    For a firmer, decorator’s frosting, cutting in some shortening (your choice of type), helps too stabilize the mixture without overwhelming the flavor.

    And because dairy-free “butter” can be soften more quickly than dairy butter, it’s important to add the liquid near the end of whipping, and only as needed. This helps to prevent turning  your dairy-free buttercream frosting into a runny icing!

    Dairy-Free Buttercream Frosting Recipe - an essential basic that's also vegan and allergy-friendly

    Special Diet Notes: Dairy-Free Buttercream Frosting

    By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, optionally nut-free, peanut-free, optionally soy-free, vegan, and vegetarian.

    4.5 from 2 reviews
    Dairy-Free Buttercream Frosting
     
    Print
    Prep time
    7 mins
    Total time
    7 mins
     
    This is my personal go-to frosting almost any type of cake, and it's a simple sample recipe from my book, Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook.
    Author: Alisa Fleming
    Recipe type: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Serves: about 3 cups (more than enough to frost an 8- or 9-inch double-layer cake
    Ingredients
    • 1 cup dairy-free buttery sticks or spread, softened (see post above)
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or pure vanilla flavoring
    • 3½ to 4 cups powdered sugar
    • 1 to 4 tablespoons plain or unsweetened dairy-free milk beverage, as needed
    Instructions
    1. Put the buttery spread or sticks in a large mixing bowl. Beat with a hand mixer until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the vanilla and beat just until combined.
    2. Sift in the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, and beat on low speed to incorporate it.
    3. Turn the hand mixer up to medium or high speed and whip the frosting for 2 minutes. Beat in the milk beverage as needed to reach your desired consistency.
    4. Store leftover frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Beat the chilled frosting with your hand mixer for 30 seconds to soften before using.
    Notes
    Decorator’s Buttercream Optional: Substitute ½ cup organic palm shortening (or your shortening of choice) for ½ cup of the buttery spread or sticks.
    3.5.3229

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    Alisa Fleming
    • Website

    Alisa is the founder of GoDairyFree.org, Food Editor for Allergic Living magazine, and author of the best-selling dairy-free book, Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living, and the new cookbook, Eat Dairy Free: Your Essential Cookbook for Everyday Meals, Snacks, and Sweets. Alisa is also a professional recipe creator and product ambassador for the natural food industry.

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    18 Comments

    1. Tina on November 15, 2020 4:42 am

      Hi! I have tried to make this icing several times and just cannot seem to get the texture right. It seems like the more I beat/whip the butter, it doesn’t firm up that much. My end result is almost runny. The df sticks feel softer to me than regular butter even when cold. Do you think I could whip this butter without softening it? Also I can feel the sugar in my mouth – like it doesn’t dissolve. Please help! The last time I made a vegan cake I used store bought icing. 😕

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on November 15, 2020 9:26 am

        That sounds like an issue with the buttery sticks. I know it can be frustrating, but dairy-free brands and even batches can vary. Especially this year, as companies are producing certain products quite fast. But yes, you can beat without softening. It’s sounds like the brand you are using is soft already. Usually buttery sticks are very firm. There are really only two factors at play, the buttery sticks and the sugar. Different brands of powdered sugar can also perform differently, and have different textures. Most store-bought brands use shortening. For more consistent results, you can use the Decorator’s buttercream option, which uses half shortening. I use Spectrum Shortening (which is soy-free, hydrogenated oil-free, and pretty consistent).

        Reply
    2. Hunter on March 15, 2020 10:35 am

      This came out very grainy. Not sure what I did wrong, maybe added too much sugar?

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on March 15, 2020 6:26 pm

        Hi Hunter, there aren’t a lot of working components in this recipe, so it really comes down to the ingredients. By graininess, do you mean actual mouthfeel or separation? If it is mouthfeel, then it is the sugar. I assume you used a regular powdered sugar (alternatives like sugar-free options or “unrefined” ones will not work well). If it was separation or clumpiness, then it was the butter alternative brand that you used. Did you use buttery sticks or a buttery spread, and if so, which one?

        Reply
        • Judy on July 7, 2020 12:11 pm

          I made a gluten free cupcakes for our Son yesterday and your recipe for lactose free icing. Turned out to be my best cupcakes ever and I’m over 60. Thank you. Will forward to friends, family etc. Delicious!!

          Reply
          • Alisa Fleming on July 7, 2020 12:22 pm

            That’s wonderful Judy!

            Reply
    3. Caitlin on February 23, 2020 4:14 pm

      The margarine separated and got super runny ???

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on February 23, 2020 7:01 pm

        What brand did you use? That’s definitely a problem with the margarine.

        Reply
        • Caitlin on February 24, 2020 8:39 am

          Country crock spread. Would the margarine sticks work better? Or did I just over mix it?

          Reply
          • Alisa Fleming on February 24, 2020 9:31 am

            Yes, make sure you read the notes in my post. Many buttery spreads don’t properly work. I haven’t tried the country crock spread for recipes like this, but would go with the sticks.

            Reply
        • Manu on December 11, 2020 2:57 pm

          Can I use coconut oil instead of the buttery sticks?

          Reply
          • Alisa Fleming on December 11, 2020 3:04 pm

            I would use this coconut oil frosting recipe instead -> https://www.godairyfree.org/recipes/dreamy-dairy-free-coconut-cupcakes
            And make sure the cupcakes are kept cool. Coconut oil has a melting point of 78 degrees F, so it will begin to liquefy in a warm room or with a lot of people around.

            Reply
    4. Gina on October 21, 2019 11:55 am

      Love this simple recipe! It’s the perfect way to top my favorite dairy free, egg free cupcakes.

      Reply
    5. Mia L on May 11, 2019 2:33 pm

      Very interesting. Lacks a little bit of flavor.

      Reply
      • Steelmagnolia on April 25, 2021 7:37 am

        Maybe add lemon juice

        Reply
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