This Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting is easy to make, ready in just 5 minutes with only 5 ingredients. It's creamy, tangy, sweet, and perfect for topping vegan cakes or cupcakes.
The thing about this frosting isn't just how easy it is to make, but what turns your ordinary desserts extraordinary. It's like the secret ingredient that makes your recipes go from good to gourmet.
Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out in the world of vegan desserts, this frosting is sure to become your go-to choice for creating irresistibly indulgent treats!
Want to know what goes great with this frosting? Try it with my delicious Vegan Carrot Cake, Vegan Pumpkin Cookies, and Vegan Vanilla Cupcakes. You'll love every single bite!
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🌟 Why you'll love this recipe
- Creamy Indulgence: This frosting is luxuriously creamy, adding a velvety texture to your desserts that's simply irresistible.
- Tangy Twist: It boasts a delightful tangy note, balancing the sweetness perfectly and adding depth to your treats.
- Effortless Preparation: Making this frosting is a breeze, requiring only a few simple steps, so you can enjoy homemade goodness without the hassle.
- Versatile Pairing: It's the ultimate companion for a wide range of desserts, from cakes to cookies, elevating each one with its rich flavor.
- Vegan Delight: Perfect for vegans and non-vegans alike, it's a dairy-free alternative that doesn't compromise on taste, making it an inclusive choice for all.
🧾 Ingredient notes
Vegan Butter: Store-bought versions work wonderfully, although you do have the option to make your own vegan butter at home. However, for this recipe, I prefer to use store-bought.
Opt for a firmer vegan butter brand. Ideally, look for vegan stick butter, such as Earth Balance buttery sticks, for best results.
Alternatively, if you have a vegan margarine brand available in a solid block form, that will also work well.
Vegan Cream Cheese: Similarly to vegan butter, store-bought versions work exceptionally well, although the choice to prepare homemade vegan cream cheese is entirely up to you.
For optimal results, make sure you're using vegan cream cheese, not cream cheese spread. Brands like Tofutti or Violife tend to yield the best outcomes.
However, don't worry if you can only find vegan cream cheese spread! It's still usable and will taste delightful.
It will thicken nicely in the fridge but might not maintain the same thickness at room temperature.
Vanilla Extract: For this recipe, you can use any type of vanilla extract, whether store-bought or homemade, and it will work perfectly.
However, I have a personal preference for using clear vanilla extract as it helps achieve a more white appearance in the frosting.
Powdered Sugar: You can either pick up some powdered sugar from the store or whip it up yourself in just about 2 minutes with only 2 simple ingredients.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
📋 Variations
Here are five delightful variations to take your desserts to the next level:
- Lemon Zest Twist: Add the zest of one lemon to the frosting for a zesty, citrusy flavor that pairs perfectly with Vegan Lemon Cake or Vegan Blueberry Muffins.
- Chocolate Delight: Incorporate ¼ cup (20 grams) of unsweetened cocoa powder for a chocolate cream cheese frosting, ideal for Vegan Brownies or Vegan Chocolate Cake.
- Berry Blast: Mix in ½ cup (120 grams) of fresh mashed berries (like strawberries or raspberries) for a fruity twist that complements Vegan Vanilla Cake or lemon-flavored cakes.
- Cinnamon Spice: Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg for a warm, spiced frosting, perfect for topping spice cakes or Vegan Cinnamon Rolls.
- Maple Pecan Elegance: Add 2 tablespoons of maple syrup and ¼ cup (30 grams) of chopped toasted pecans for a rich, nutty frosting, perfect with carrot or pumpkin cake.
🔪 Instructions
Step 1: Place the vegan butter in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until it becomes light and fluffy. Alternatively, you can use a regular large bowl and a hand mixer.
Step 2: Add the vegan cream cheese and beat for 30 seconds to 1 minute or until incorporated.
Step 3: Incorporate the vanilla extract and the salt and beat to combine.
Step 4: With the mixer on low, gradually add the powdered sugar, ½ cup (60 grams) at a time, and continue mixing until thick and creamy. Add more powdered sugar if needed.
💭 Expert tips
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure both your vegan butter and vegan cream cheese are at room temperature. This helps create a smoother and lump-free frosting.
- Gradually Add Sugar: When incorporating powdered sugar, add it gradually, not all at once. This prevents clumps and allows for better control of sweetness.
- Avoid Overbeating: While it's important to beat the frosting until smooth, avoid overmixing it, as this can lead to a runny texture. Be mindful of the duration of mixing.
- Chill for Sturdiness: If your frosting seems too soft, refrigerate it for about 15-30 minutes before using. It will firm up and be easier to work with.
- Consistency Control: Adjust the consistency by adding more powdered sugar for a stiffer frosting or a splash of plant-based milk for a creamier texture.
❓Recipe FAQs
You can store it in the fridge for up to 5-7 days. Be sure to keep it in an airtight container to prevent it from absorbing any odors from the fridge.
Yes, you can freeze it for up to 3 months in an airtight container or sealed freezer bags.
When needed, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and stir before using it to restore its creamy texture. Avoid thawing at room temperature to prevent it from becoming too soft.
Piping vegan cream cheese frosting can be a bit tricky due to its creamy texture, but here's a handy tip that I've found really helpful over the years.
To ensure your frosting holds its beautifully piped shapes, consider refrigerating it briefly before piping.
Simply attach your preferred piping tip to your piping bag, fill it with the frosting, and then chill it in the fridge for about 20-30 minutes before you begin piping.
To maintain a thick and creamy consistency in your frosting, ensure your ingredients are at cool room temperature, not overly soft or warm.
Add powdered sugar gradually, about ½ cup (60 grams) at a time, while beating to control thickness.
If it becomes too runny, adjust by gradually adding more powdered sugar, a few tablespoons at a time, until it thickens to your liking.
For a firmer texture, briefly refrigerate the frosting for 15-30 minutes before frosting your dessert.
To prevent your layer cake from slipping, take a few key steps. First, make sure your cakes are completely cooled before you frost them, and level them to ensure they are even.
Place a cake board or cardboard round under the bottom layer for stability. Apply a thin layer of frosting between layers to act as a "glue."
Chill the cake briefly in the fridge after adding each layer, then apply a crumb coat and refrigerate again.
Finally, frost the cake evenly and refrigerate until ready to serve.
🧁 Other helpful how-to recipes
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📖 Recipe
Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting (5 Minutes)
Ingredients
- ½ cup vegan butter, softened to room temperature
- 8 ounces vegan cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, I like using clear vanilla extract for an extra white frosting, but regular vanilla extract is also okay
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Place the vegan butter in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until it becomes light and fluffy. Alternatively, you can use a regular large bowl and a hand mixer.
- Add the vegan cream cheese and beat for 30 seconds to 1 minute or until incorporated.
- Incorporate the vanilla extract and the salt and beat to combine.
- With the mixer on low, gradually add the powdered sugar, ½ cup (60 grams) at a time, and continue mixing until thick and creamy. Add more powdered sugar if needed.
- I usually refrigerate the frosting to let it firm up before using it for at least 20-30 minutes, but you can also frost your cake or cupcakes right away and then refrigerate them until the frosting sets.
Video
Notes
- This recipe yields sufficient frosting for approximately 12 cupcakes or to generously frost an 8 or 9-inch (20-23 cm) two-layer cake.
- Please note that the preparation time does not account for the additional time required for the frosting to firm up in the fridge.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure both your vegan butter and vegan cream cheese are at room temperature. This helps create a smoother and lump-free frosting.
- Gradually Add Sugar: When incorporating powdered sugar, add it gradually, not all at once. This prevents clumps and allows for better control of sweetness.
- Avoid Overbeating: While it's important to beat the frosting until smooth, avoid overmixing it, as this can lead to a runny texture. Be mindful of the duration of mixing.
- Chill for Sturdiness: If your frosting seems too soft, refrigerate it for about 15-30 minutes before using. It will firm up and be easier to work with.
- Consistency Control: Adjust the consistency by adding more powdered sugar for a stiffer frosting or a splash of plant-based milk for a creamier texture.
Janice says
I used this frosting to make a vegan carrot cake and it worked amazingly well. This recipe is a keeper! Thanks a lot for sharing 🙂
Iosune says
Hi Janice! So glad you liked it 🙂