Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting (2024)

Let’s create the perfect vegan cream cheese frosting that’s rich, slightly tangy, and completely dairy-free! This easy-to-make recipe is ideal for topping your favorite gluten free cakes and cupcakes, delivering all the classic flavors without any dairy. Discover the secret to a smooth, creamy frosting that everyone will love!

Cream cheese frosting has always been one of my favorite frostings to enjoy. The tangy cream cheese flavor along with the creamy texture it adds, takes every cake (or even cookie) to the next level.

After going dairy free I missed cream cheese frosting, especially because at that time there wasn’t a lot of dairy free options and most of them were mediocre.

Is there a substitute for cream cheese in cream cheese frosting?

Nowadays, there are so many different plant based cream cheeses to choose from! It makes it easy to have your cake and eat it to! Some of my favorite vegan cream cheese brands are Violife, Kite Hill and the Trader Joe’s brand. There are plenty of other brands, but some are too tangy.

Never make a vegan cream cheese frosting with a vegan cream cheese you haven’t tasted yet. Make sure the flavor is not overpowering, tangy or weird. Some of the vegan stuff smells like feet. If you know, you know.

If you can, go with Violife here. It won’t let you down.

Ingredients Needed to make Dairy Free Cream Cheese

• Vegan Butter: My favorite brand is Earth’s Balance sticks, Trader Joe’s, Melt and Miyoko’s are some other’s I like.
• Vegan Cream Cheese: You can see above about my cream cheese recommendations, but my favorite brand is Violife. If you are just lactose intolerant, you can use a lactose free cream cheese.
• Vanilla Extract
• Powdered Sugar

How to Make Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting

Start by adding the butter, shortening, cream cheese and vanilla to a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix of medium speed for 2 minutes.

Turn off, scrape down the sides and add 2 cups of the powdered sugar. Start the mixer on low to incorporate the sugar and then turn the speed up to medium high and mix for 1 minute.

Reduce the speed to low, add in the remaining 3 cups, 1 cup at at a time with the mixer on low.

Once all the sugar is incorporated, turn the mixer on high and mix for 1 minutes or so. The mixture should be creamy and fluffy.

You can refrigerate the frosting until you are ready to use it.

Store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

After frosting your dessert, you will want to store your dessert in the fridge.

FAQ’s

Why is my frosting runny?

Your cream cheese can determine the consistency of your frosting. You can try refrigerating it to harden it up, or add a little bit more powdered sugar.

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