• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Plant Based School
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About Us
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About Us
  • All Recipes
  • Mains
  • Pasta
  • Sweet
  • Collections
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Desserts

    Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting

    Published: Dec 12, 2022 · by Nico

    Jump to Recipe

    Velvety smooth, buttery, and creamy, this vegan cream cheese frosting is a perfect finishing touch for cakes, cupcakes, and cinnamon rolls.

    The recipe is easy to make, just like regular cream cheese frosting, and you can flavor it with vanilla, lemon, or your favorite aromas.

    vegan cream cheese frosting in a bowl
    On this page:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Tips
    • Make Ahead & Storage
    • More Vegan Desserts
    • Recipe

    Check out our best plant-based dessert recipes!

    It has become increasingly easy to make vegan cream cheese frosting thanks to the widespread of vegan and dairy-free products on the market.

    Even if you don't live in a big city, chances are that your local supermarket keeps a brand or two of vegan cream cheese and vegan butter.

    And the quality, consistency, texture, and taste of those products have improved a ton in the last couple of years, so there's no excuse not to try and make a vegan frosting for your next cake.

    You can expect a frosting that is quite thick (not as thick as frosting made with dairy products, of course, but still really good), creamy, tangy, and velvety-smooth.

    So be it for ethical reasons, health reasons, or just curiosity, here's how to make the best vegan cream cheese frosting.

    Note: we make mostly one-layer cakes on this blog, so this dairy-free cream cheese frosting recipe is enough to frost ONE 8 to 9-Inch layer or a little more than 12 cupcakes. If you make a two-layer cake, you can easily double the recipe. You can spread it or use it in a piping bag.

    vegan frosting on vanilla cake

    Ingredients

    vegan cream cheese frosting ingredients

    Vegan cream cheese

    There are many delicious brands on the market right now.

    Our top favorite brands are "Violife just like original cream cheese" (probably our favorite for frosting because it's as thick as regular cream cheese), Wayfare, Simply V, and Trader Joe's. Other brands are Kite Hill, The Dairy-Free Co, Daya, So Delicious, and Miyoko's.

    In general, try to get a cream cheese that is firm right out of the fridge, not a soft one. The best ones are made with coconut oil because that's a saturated fat that keeps its solid form well.

    Vegetable oil-based cream cheese won't get firm enough. If you have allergies, there are nut-free, gluten-free, and soy-free products you can choose from.

    Vegan butter

    Like with cream cheese, there are several dairy-free and vegan butter brands out there. Pick one that is firm, or even better, solid, not the spreadable kind.

    We recommend the ones that come in stick form - they are generally firmer and easier to measure than the ones that come in a tub. Some good ones are Violife, Earth Balance, Om Sweet Home, Miyoko's, Fora, and Melt Organic.

    Vegan margarine can work, but only if solid and in stick form, made with coconut oil or palm oil (which is often not super ethical, so you might want to avoid it).

    Powdered sugar

    You might want to use organic powdered sugar if you are a strict vegan.

    You can't replace powdered sugar to add sweetness to this vegan frosting recipe.

    Vanilla, Lemon Zest, or both

    We like to add a vanilla and lemon aroma to our vegan cream cheese frosting since the dairy-butter flavor is somewhat lacking.

    You can use a good quality vanilla extract or, even better, the beans in a vanilla pod. We love using a real vanilla pod because they are dry and won't make your frosting thinner. Also, you can see the black seeds in the frosting, and they look (and taste) wonderful.

    For lemon aroma, we recommend using the grated zest of an organic lemon rather than lemon juice or lemon extract. Again, try to minimize liquids. The lemon zest adds a nice tang.

    We don't recommend adding salt to this recipe because most vegan cream cheeses have a slightly salty aftertaste.

    Note: due to the lack of saturated animal fat, vegan butter and vegan cream cheese won't be as firm at room temperature as their dairy counterparts. If your vegan cream cheese gets runny, let it firm up for a few minutes in the freezer or the fridge.

    Vegan cinnamon rolls with frosting

    Instructions

    Slightly soften the vegan butter at room temperature for about 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the brand. Do not soften in the microwave; your frosting will turn out runny.

    To a large mixing bowl, add softened vegan butter and your aroma of choice.

    Here we use the grated lemon zest for a tangy flavor and the seeds of a vanilla pod for a cozy flavor and beautiful look.

    To use the vanilla seeds, cut the pod in half lengthwise and scrape off the seeds with the tip of a small knife.

    Tip: try to use dry and not liquid aromas, as they might make your frosting runnier.

    Dairyfree frosting with lemon peel

    Beat the butter with a hand mixer or stand mixer with the whisk attachment until creamy (30 seconds max). Don't over-beat.

    Beat the butter and cream cheese

    Add vegan cream cheese to the bowl with the butter. Make sure to drain excess liquid from the cream cheese if there's any. Beat until combined (30 seconds max). Don't over-beat.

    frosting in a bowl

    Add powdered sugar all at once. Sift it beforehand if you notice that your powder sugar is lumpy.

    powdered sugar in frosting

    Beat on low first and medium later until the powder sugar is fully incorporated, and your vegan cream cheese frosting is velvety smooth (30 seconds max). Don't over-beat.

    Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula, then give it a final stir.

    Tip: You can add more or less powdered sugar based on your preference. Stick in a finger and taste test, and add more sugar if you like your frosting a little sweeter.

    vegan cream cheese and lemon frosting in a bowl

    Let firm up in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or in the freezer for at least 15 minutes before using it to frost cakes, cupcakes, and more.

    Put the cakes you frosted back in the fridge to store them, as the frosting will get too soft at room temperature.

    dairyfree frosting in white bowl

    Serving Suggestions

    Vegan Carrot Cake

    Dairyfree frosting on carrot cake

    Our carrot cake is 100% dairy and egg free; it's light, moist, and ridiculously easy to make with a few simple pantry staples you probably already have at home.

    Top it with this delicious frosting for one of the best and coziest cakes ever.

    Check out our carrot cake recipe.

    Easy Vanilla Cake

    easy vanilla cake with cream cheese frosting

    This single-layer vanilla cake is made with a few easy-to-find ingredients and a delicious cream cheese frosting. You'll get a light and airy crumb that is pillowy soft and has just the right amount of vanilla and moisture.

    Vegan Lemon Cake

    Lemon cake and slice

    An easy-to-make one-layer soft and moist lemon cake topped with delicious vegan cream cheese frosting.

    Perfect for an afternoon snack with tea or as a light and zesty dessert.

    Check out our vegan lemon cake recipe.

    Vegan Cinnamon Rolls

    Vegan cinnamon rolls and topping

    Our vegan cinnamon rolls are so light, fluffy, and so delicious no one will know they are vegan. Top them with our delicious vegan cream cheese frosting for a dessert/brunch/breakfast that no one can resist.

    Check out our vegan cinnamon rolls recipe.

    Tips

    Soften butter at room temperature

    Always soften your butter at room temperature. Microwaving the butter, even for a few seconds, will result in a runny cream cheese frosting. You only need to slightly soften the butter at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes.

    Don't add unnecessary liquids

    Some vegan cream cheese recipes call for adding milk or cream, but that's not necessary, and it will make your frosting too thin.

    Also, drain excess liquid from your vegan cream cheese and use aromas in dry form rather than liquid if you can. For instance, substitute grated lemon zest for lemon extract and the seeds of a vanilla pod for vanilla extract. The less liquid, the better.

    Don't over-beat it

    The more you beat it, the thinner it gets. So try to beat it as little as necessary to combine the ingredients and make a smooth frosting.

    Apply on cold cakes

    Ensure your cakes, cupcakes, muffins, and cinnamon rolls are completely cooled before applying the frosting. Since there are no saturated animal fats, vegan frostings melt faster than non-vegan ones.

    Put it back in the fridge (or freezer)

    Let the cream cheese cool down and firm up in the fridge or freezer as soon as you make it, or spread it on a cake.

    In essence, try not to leave it at room temperature if not necessary. Cold is your friend for having a thick vegan cream cheese frosting.

    Make Ahead & Storage

    Make Ahead: you can make this vegan cream cheese frosting up to 3 days ahead. It's advised to make it at least a couple of hours before using it to frost cakes as it firms up in the fridge.

    Refrigerator: keep in a bowl covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    Freezer: the million-dollar question is, "can you freeze vegan cream cheese frosting?". It depends. Some brands of vegan cream cheese freeze well, while others don't. If you are brave enough and want to try, transfer the frosting to a freezer-friendly container and freeze it for up to 3 months.

    Thaw: defrost in the refrigerator overnight or over several hours, then beat for a few seconds before using. Don't thaw at room temperature, as that might foster bacterial growth.

    More Vegan Desserts

    If you're curious about more dairy-free and egg-free desserts, get fresh inspiration from these sweet and easy recipes:

    • Vegan apple cake: light, moist, and loaded with fresh apples
    • Dairy-free vanilla custard with only 5 ingredients and a velvety smooth and creamy texture
    • Easy lemon curd: refreshingly tangy lemon curd that you can use in cakes and pastries
    • Blueberry lemon pound cake with lemon icing and a light and vanilla-filled crumb
    • Easy chocolate cake with ganache: a single-layer chocolate cake with a rich and airy crumb
    • 7-ingredient banana bread: a super easy 1-bowl quick bread with a light banana and cinnamon flavor!
    • Vegan Banana Bread
    • Vegan Apple Cake
    • Lemon blueberry pound cake
    • Vegan custard (pastry cream)

    For many more easy dessert ideas, check out our desserts category page.

    Recipe

    vegan cream cheese frosting in a bowl

    Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting

    Author: Nico
    Velvety smooth, buttery, and creamy, this vegan cream cheese frosting is a perfect finishing touch for cakes, cupcakes, and cinnamon rolls.
    Makes enough for one single-layer cake, 9 to 12 cinnamon rolls, and about 12 cupcakes or muffins. Double the recipe for more.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share Recipe
    5 from 1 vote
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 0 mins
    Butter Softening Time 15 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Dessert, Frosting
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1.5 cups
    Calories 1230 kcal

    Equipment

    • Hand mixer or stand mixer with whisk attachment

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 ounces vegan butter we use violife (about 4 tablespoons or ¼ cup)
    • 4 ounces vegan cream cheese we use violife (about ½ cup)
    • 1 - 2 cups powdered sugar
    • 1 vanilla pod (the beans inside it) or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ½ lemon the grated zest (optional)

    Instructions
     

    • Slightly soften the vegan butter at room temperature for 10 minutes. No microwave.
      To a large bowl, add softened vegan butter, vanilla, and grated lemon zest.
      Dairyfree frosting with lemon peel
    • Beat with a hand mixer until creamy (30 seconds max). Don't over-beat.
      Beat the butter and cream cheese
    • Add vegan cream cheese and beat until combined (30 seconds max). Don't over-beat.
      cream cheese and butter in a bowl
    • Add powdered sugar all at once. Sift it first if it's lumpy.
      powdered sugar in frosting
    • Beat on low heat for a few seconds, scrape down sides, and beat on medium heat until frosting is velvety smooth (30 seconds max). Don't over-beat.
      vegan cream cheese and lemon frosting in a bowl
    • Let firm up in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or in the freezer for at least 15 minutes before using on cakes, cupcakes, and cinnamon rolls.
      Dairy-free frosting
    • Store frosted cakes back in the fridge to prevent the frosting from melting.
      easy vanilla cake with cream cheese frosting

    Notes

    Nutritional information is an estimate for the whole batch of vegan cream cheese frosting, and it might vary based on your brands of butter and cheese.
    TIPS
    • Use vegan butter in a stick form; the more solid, the better.
    • Use vegan cream cheese that is firm right out of the fridge. Avoid soft ones.
    • Avoid unnecessary liquids such as lemon juice, milk, extracts, and cream.
    • Don't overbeat it, as it gets thinner as you beat.
    • Apply on cold cakes and store back in the fridge, or on warm cinnamon rolls and eat immediately.
    • Make it a few hours ahead and let it firm up in the fridge or freezer.
    • To use the seeds in a vanilla pod, cut the pod in half lengthwise and scrape off the seeds with the tip of a small knife. 

    Nutritional Values

    Nutrition Facts
    Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 1230 Calories from Fat 720
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 80g123%
    Saturated Fat 20g125%
    Trans Fat 0g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 14g
    Monounsaturated Fat 22g
    Cholesterol 0mg0%
    Potassium 87mg2%
    Carbohydrates 137g46%
    Dietary Fiber 9g38%
    Sugar 122g136%
    Protein 8g16%
    Vitamin A 12IU0%
    Vitamin B6 0.04mg2%
    Vitamin C 29mg35%
    Vitamin E 3mg20%
    Vitamin K 43µg41%
    Calcium 90mg9%
    Folate 7µg2%
    Iron 2mg11%
    Manganese 0.02mg1%
    Magnesium 5mg1%
    Zinc 0.1mg1%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Did you like this recipe?We are not much on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Leave us a comment below instead, it would mean the world to us 🙂

    If you liked this dairy-free frosting recipe, you might also like the following:

    • 35 Easy Desserts
    • 43 Plant-Based Desserts
    • 45 Easy Vegetarian Dinner Recipes
    • 40 Easy Appetizers
    « Carrot Soup
    Vegan Brownies »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Leo

      December 13, 2022 at 9:15 am

      When you have a minute can you please do a cream cheese frosting from scratch. In most countries you need a second mortgage to buy a tub of vegan cream cheese.

      Reply

    Leave a comment and star rating :-) Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Nico and Louise founders of the Plant-Based School.

    Hi, we are Nico and Louise, and we love cooking! Welcome to our blog.

    Here we share everyday plant-forward recipes, to help you and your family eat more veggies.

    Omnivores, flexitarians, vegetarians, and vegans, you are ALL WELCOME to this community.

    More about us →

    Trending

    • Lentil Curry
    • Vegan Mushroom Pasta
    • Cauliflower Lentil Salad
    • Chickpea Soup

    Seasonal

    • Roasted Sweet Potatoes
    • Broccoli Pasta
    • Cauliflower Soup
    • Lentil bolognese

    We make sure our recipes are delicious and nutritious!

    plant-based nutrition certificate from ecornell

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Top Recipes
    Vegan Custard
    Potato gnocchi
    Easy Focaccia
    Rice salad
    Vegan Ricotta

    Top Compilations
    Best Tofu Recipes
    Vegan Pasta Recipes
    Easy Dinners
    Best Plant-Based Desserts
    Vegan Appetizers

    Most Shared
    Eggplant Parmigiana
    Vegan Mayo
    Vegan melted cheese
    Hummus
    Roasted sweet potatoes

    HOME ABOUT RECIPES SUBSCRIBE PRIVACY POLICY NUTRITION DISCLAIMER IMPRINT

    Copyright © 2023 The Plant Based School