This vegan buttercream recipe is the best plant-based frosting you will ever taste! It is whipped up in minutes and turns out to be so rich, creamy, and fluffy. Decorate your favorite baked goods such as cakes, cupcakes, or cookies with this stiff buttercream.
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💡 The recipe in a nutshell
- Vegan (dairy free and egg free)
- Quick and easy to make
- Perfect to decorate your baked goods
- Versatile: Add flavors or food coloring
📋 Flavor variations
This recipe is a great basic that can be flavored for variety. Some flavor ideas include chocolate, strawberry, coffee, lemon, or funfetti.
- Strawberry - blend ¼ cup of dried strawberries in a high-speed blender until they turn into powder. Add to the frosting and beat until combined.
- Chocolate - add 2 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder along with the powdered sugar.
- Lemon - add 1 tablespoon lemon extract along with some freshly grated lemon zest.
- Coffee - add 1 to 2 tablespoon of instant coffee powder to the plant-based butter and whip for one minute, let it sit for 5 minutes, then whip again. Then add powdered sugar.
- Funfetti - prepare the buttercream following the recipe below, then add 2 tablespoon of vegan sprinkles by folding them in with a spatula. (Find vegan sprinkles here)
💭 How much does it make?
This recipe makes enough buttercream to frost 12 cupcakes, enough for one 9x13 cake, which is 23x33cm. It makes enough for a single layer 8 or 9-inch round cake (Ø20-23cm), or a double layer 8 or 9-inch cake using a very thin layer of icing.
Double or triple the recipe if you want a thicker layer of buttercream on a 2 or 3-layer cake.
Equipment to make buttercream
To make buttercream you need minimal equipment. You'll need:
- a mixing bowl
- an electric mixer with the whisk attachment (both stand, or hand mixer work)
Equipment to frost baked goods
For simple frosting on sheet cakes, you can spread the frosting with a simple kitchen spatula. For decorative frosting use a piping bag with a tip. There are three different types of piping tips: round, star-shaped, and drop flower. All of these come in different sizes for all sorts of baked goods!
You can read more about piping tips, how and what to use them for in this article from Orson Gygi. Orson Gygi is a local kitchen supply store, which offers cooking and baking classes, here in Utah where I live.
🍰 What to use it for?
Use it to decorate any of your baked goods. If you need ideas decorate it with this simple vegan vanilla cake, or this gluten-free cookie cake (seen in the picture below). Another idea is making plant-based filled cookie sandwiches by using this chocolate chip cookies recipe.
🥣 Storage
Store buttercream in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to one week. When ready to use, bring it to room temperature. If stored for several days whip with mixer to refreshen.
❄️ How to freeze
To freeze store in an airtight, freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Don't forget to label it with the date of freezing. When ready to use, thaw in the fridge overnight. Once thawed, bring it to room temperature, add to a bowl, and mix with an electric mixer to freshen up before using.
👩🏽🍳 Other types of frosting
If you are looking for a flat, smooth frosting for decorating cookies or gingerbread houses, try my vegan royal icing. If you are looking for a whipped cream substitute try my vegan easy whipped cream recipe. For a super-light and fluffy frosting try my vegan cream cheese frosting.
📖 Recipe
3 Ingredient Vegan Buttercream
Equipment
- mixing bowl, electric mixer with whisk attachment
Ingredients
- 226 grams plant-based butter (softened at room temprature)
- 440 grams organic powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract or 1 package of vanilla sugar
- pinch of salt optional
Instructions
- Let the butter come to room temperature until soft.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter (and salt, if using) with an electric mixer fitted with the whisk/whip attachment for about 2 minutes, until light and creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing on low speed to avoid a sugar cloud. If using vanilla sugar, add it with the powdered sugar.
- Once the sugar is incorporated, add the vanilla extract. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat for about 5 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. The frosting should be fluffy and smooth.
- Use immediately to frost cupcakes or cake. If making ahead, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months. Allow to soften at room temperature and re-whip before using.
Notes
- Frosts 12 cupcakes with a tall swirl, or
- Frosts one 9x13-inch cake, or
- Frosts one single 8–9-inch round cake, or
- Lightly frosts a double-layer 8–9-inch cake
Nutrition
The provided nutritional information is an estimate. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
I love making vegan buttercream to compliment any baked treats.
So glad to hear that, Jean! Buttercream really does make everything better, doesn’t it? 🧁✨
Love, love, love this vegan buttercream and how simple it is to make! It's the perfect topper to any baked treat. Definitely going to make cupcakes more often with this!
Yay, Anaiah! Love that you’re inspired to make more cupcakes — they’re the perfect excuse to whip up a batch of frosting. 💕
SOO smooth and wow i couldn't believe this was vegan. Great recipe Jacqui
Aw thank you, Nancy! Smooth and creamy is exactly what we’re going for. So glad you loved it! 🥰
This was yummy frosting but I’m not sure we got to consistency correct but for our first vegan frosting it was good!
You did amazing, Robin — first time vegan frosting is always a learning curve, but it sounds like it turned out delicious! Next time, if you want it firmer, you can always add a little extra powdered sugar. 💡✨
This vegan buttercream frosting was perfect on a vegan cake I baked for my friend's birthday. She loved it. Thank you!
That makes me so happy, Keri! What a sweet way to celebrate your friend — I’m glad the buttercream made her day extra special. 🎂🎉
This buttercream is fantastic! If you weren't vegan you wouldn't even know they're vegan!
Thank you so much, Katie! That’s the best compliment — I love when non-vegans can’t tell the difference. 🙌🌱
Delicious!!
Thanks Andrea! I’m so glad you enjoyed it — simple recipes that turn out delicious are always the best. 💖
1 stick of plant based butter is how much in grams?
Hey Paula! One stick is approx. 113 grams. You should be able to toggle in between metric and US system in the recipe card. Hope this helps!