Dairy-free just keeps getting easier and easier. Ten years ago, if you asked me for a dairy-free white chocolate frosting recipe, it would have been a stretch. But now, I can make this sweet, decadent, white chocolaty icing that pipes beautifully and holds its own on any dessert table. And did I mention, it’s top allergen-free too?!
Whip Up this Dairy-Free White Chocolate Frosting – It’s Easy!
Yes, this dairy-free white chocolate frosting is amazingly simple to make. It takes seconds in the microwave and less than 10 minutes of mixing to create an entire batch of this creamy icing. Plus it’s extremely versatile. It was created to pair with Dairy-Free White Chocolate Cupcakes, but pairs well with so many more delicious desserts. I’ve included ingredient information, options, and serving ideas in the FAQs below.
Where Do I Get Dairy-Free White Chocolate Chips?
We use Enjoy Life White Baking Mini Chips. They are by far my favorite brand of vegan white chocolate chips for recipes. They taste delicious, hold up well in cookies, melt readily for integrating into recipes, and firm up nicely for serving at room temperature. They also happen to be free of 14 allergens and are made on a dedicated dairy-free and soy-free line. I buy them on Amazon. But you can also order them from Vitacost, or find them in store at Sprouts Farmers Market or other regional grocers across the country. See the White Baking Chips Store Locator to find them in your local area.
What Type of Cake goes with this Dairy-Free White Chocolate Frosting?
The beauty of vanilla-y white chocolate, is that pairs perfectly with just about any dessert flavor you can dream up! That said, I do have a few delicious recipes that I can recommend.
- White Chocolate Cupcakes
- Raspberry Cupcakes
- Vanilla Cupcakes with Strawberry Filling
- Chocolate Cupcakes
- Gingerbread Cupcakes
- Lemon Cupcakes or Cake
- Classic Yellow Cupcakes or Cake
- Carrot Cake
- Hummingbird Cake
- Red Velvet Cake
- Carrot Cookies
- Whoopie Pies Filling
- Stuffed Strawberries Filling
Can I Make this Frosting with Dairy-Free Butter?
For a dairy-free white chocolate buttercream frosting, you can use half dairy-free butter alternative and half shortening or all dairy-free butter alternative in place of the shortening. I would use vegan butter sticks, not spread. I do prefer the half and half option as it holds up better and blends more seamlessly. If you do go for this buttercream option, you might not need as much milk alternative. The frosting will also be softer at room temperature. And please note that dairy-free butter alternative will yellow the color of this frosting a little.
What Type of Milk Alternative Should I Use?
It’s a small amount, so most types will work fine. You can use almond milk, soy milk, pea milk, oat milk, etc. Just be sure to choose one that suits your dietary needs.
What is Powdered Sugar?
It’s also called also called confectioners’ sugar or icing sugar. It’s the powdered version of white sugar.
Can I Color this Vegan White Chocolate Frosting?
You definitely can! You can use your favorite food coloring, adding it to the intensity desired. Just be sure to choose food coloring that suits your dietary needs. If you want to add both natural color and flavor, you can add powdered fruit, like I did with my Pink Strawberry White Chocolate Recipe. You might need to incrementally add more liquid as you add more powder, to get the right consistency.
Can I Make this White Chocolate Frosting Ahead?
You can make it ahead. It will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It will firm up more in the refrigerator, so I would let it come to room temperature for a few minutes, and then whip it for a minute with your hand mixer before using.
Special Diet Notes: Dairy-Free White Chocolate Frosting
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, and vegetarian. Just be sure you choose the ingredients that suit your dietary needs. With Enjoy Life White Baking Chips and Spectrum Organic, this vegan white chocolate frosting is dairy-free, soy-free, and top 9 allergen-free.
- 1 (9-ounce) bag dairy-free white chocolate chips (we use Enjoy Life White Baking Mini Chips)
- 2½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup shortening (like Spectrum Organic)
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 to 2 tablespoons plain dairy-free milk alternative, at room temperature
- Melt the white baking chips over a double-boiler, on a counter-top broiler, or in the microwave. If using the microwave, place the white baking chips in a microwave-safe bowl, and heat on high for just 20 seconds. Whisk vigorously, and heat in 10 second intervals if not fully melted. They melt much more quickly than dark or milk chocolate, so be vigilant. Do not overheat them.
- Let the melted dairy-free white chocolate cool to room temperature.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the sugar and shortening with a hand mixer or stand mixer. Use a whisk attachment if you have one. Start on low, and speed up as the sugar is incorporated to keep the powdered sugar in the bowl.
- Add the cooled, but still melted dairy-free white chocolate and the vanilla to your mixing bowl, and mix until smooth.
- With the mixer running, slowly drizzle in the milk alternative, starting with just one tablespoon.
- Beat the dairy-free white chocolate frosting on high speed, pausing to scrape down the sides of the bowl with your spatula, until smooth and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add another tablespoon of milk alternative, as needed, to achieve a soft but pipeable consistency.
- If desired, transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Spread or pipe it onto your cake or cupcakes, as desired.