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    Home » Ideas

    15 Fun Vegan Frosting Recipes for Cupcakes and Cakes!

    Published: Oct 11, 2022 · Updated: Oct 11, 2022 · As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Hey dessert fans! Looking for fun and new frosting ideas for vegan cupcakes and other bakes? Here's a list of 15 fabulous vegan frosting recipes to inspire you.

    A collage of different types of frosting "15 Fun Vegan Frosting Recipes to Try!"

    Here you'll find some great new ideas for frosting your homemade vegan cupcakes and layer cakes.

    Of course, vegan vanilla frosting is a classic, but there's so many delicious flavors to try - like orange, peanut butter or strawberry!

    If you are looking for not so sweet and healthier frosting options, we've also included a selection of refined sugar-free recipes for you to try!

    Jump to:
    • Frosting tips
    • Useful equipment and supplies
    • Vegan frosting recipes
    • Refined sugar-free frostings

    Frosting tips

    Vegan buttercream frosting is the easiest type of frosting you can make. It typically is made from a base of vegan butter, powdered sugar (also known as confectioners sugar or icing sugar), and a dash of dairy-free milk.

    The best type of vegan butter to use in frosting recipes is a block type of butter, which has a fat content of around 80%. This leads to a firmer frosting.

    Using spreadable types of vegan butter or vegan margarine, which have a higher water content, can make frosting that is too soft and difficult to pipe.

    Some recipes also use vegetable shortening to make homemade frosting, but we prefer plant-based butter for the best taste.

    Using softened or room-temperature butter makes mixing easier and quicker.

    If your frosting is too soft, try refrigerating it for 30 minutes. If it is still too soft, you can beat in some more powdered sugar to thicken it to the right consistency.

    If your frosting is too firm, you can beat in a teaspoon of dairy-free milk, such as almond or oat milk, until you reach the desired consistency.

    When using an electric mixer to make frosting, always use a large bowl and start on low speed to avoid a mess!

    Not sure how much frosting to make? This handy buttercream calculator will help you make sure you make enough frosting for your project!

    Useful equipment and supplies

    Having good tools will make cupcake decorating easier and look better. I recommend a good quality large reusable piping bag, a coupler, and a variety of stainless steel nozzles.

    In the US, not all powdered sugar is vegan, because it can use bone char in the processing, so look out for organic or vegan-certified sugar.

    Ateco Reusable Decorating Bag

    Wilton Deluxe Cake Decorating Kit with Piping Tips and Pastry Bags

    If You Care Unbleached Large Baking Cups

    Organic Powdered Sugar Whole Foods Market

    It can be fun to color vanilla buttercream with food coloring - but look for vegan food colors as others may contain animal-derived ingredients such as carmine or cochineal.

    Vegan sprinkles (these are so cute!) can also add a colorful and fun finishing touch to your cupcakes!

    Supernatural Plant Based Food Colors

    Color Kitchen Plant Based Food Dyes

    Supernatural Rainbow Pop Sprinkles

    Whole Foods Market Chocolate Sprinkles

    Vegan frosting recipes

    Here you'll find 10 different ways to make and flavor delicious vegan buttercream.

    Cupcakes with vanilla buttercream on top, with yellow flowers in the background.

    Vegan Vanilla Frosting

    This frosting recipe uses simple ingredients and vanilla extract for flavor. The perfect base to add plant-based color to, or to decorate with fun vegan sprinkles!
    At a glance: Simple, versatile, delicious
    Effort: Low
    Time: 15 minutes
    Recipe by: beplantwell.com
    CHECK OUT THIS RECIPE
    A vanilla cupcake decorated with vanilla forsting and rasbperry pieces.

    Vegan Italian Meringue Buttercream

    Italian meringue buttercream is a lighter, not so sweet type of frosting that is made with a sugar syrup. It's traditionally made with eggs, but this vegan buttercream recipe uses whipped aquafaba instead.
    At a glance: Fluffy, buttery, vanilla flavored
    Effort: High
    Time: 1 hour 5 minutes + chilling
    Recipe by: addictedtodates.com
    CHECK OUT THIS RECIPE
    Buttercream on a metal whisk.

    Vegan Swiss Meringue Buttercream

    Swiss meringue buttercream is a popular bakery-style frosting that's not as sweet as American buttercream. This recipe uses whipped aquafaba for a light and smooth texture.
    At a glance: Silky, smooth, light
    Effort: High
    Time: 50 minutes
    Recipe by: berrybaker.com
    CHECK OUT THIS RECIPE
    Piping a swirl of peanut butter frosting on a chocolate cupcake.

    Vegan Peanut Butter Frosting

    A quick and easy frosting that's light, fluffy and full of nutty flavor. This peanut butter frosting is super tasty on chocolate cupcakes.
    At a glance: Fluffy, nutty, rich
    Effort: Low
    Time: 10 minutes
    Recipe by: delightfuladventures.com
    CHECK OUT THIS RECIPE
    Two jars of strawberry frosting in two shades of pink.

    Vegan Strawberry Frosting

    This creamy and fruity frosting is so delicious! This easy recipe will show you how to make strawberry frosting with either dried strawberry powder or a reduced strawberry puree.
    At a glance: Fruity, pretty, pink
    Effort: Medium
    Time: 25 minutes
    Recipe by: www.rainbownourishments.com
    CHECK OUT THIS RECIPE
    A chocolate cupcake with a swirl of chocolate frosting on top.

    Vegan Chocolate Frosting

    Chocolate frosting is always a favorite. Try this easy vegan recipe!
    At a glance: Rich, decadent, smooth
    Effort: Low
    Time: 15 minutes
    Recipe by: beplantwell.com
    CHECK OUT THIS RECIPE
    A swirl of biscoff buttercream in a white bowl, next to a piping bag.

    Vegan Biscoff Buttercream

    This cookie butter frosting is so yummy. It's great for cupcakes and layer cakes and will hold firm at room temperature.
    At a glance: Caramelly, lightly spiced, sweet
    Effort: Low
    Time: 10 minutes
    Recipe by: bakedbyclo.com
    CHECK OUT THIS RECIPE
    A bowl of lemon frosting and an offset spatula.

    Vegan Lemon Buttercream Frosting

    This easy lemon buttercream is tangy and creamy. Perfect to pair with lemon and almond cakes or raspberry and blueberry flavored bakes.
    At a glance: Zesty, tangy, refreshing
    Effort: Low
    Time: 10 minutes
    Recipe by: plantbasedonabudget.com
    CHECK OUT THIS RECIPE
    A bowl of fluffy white frosting with orange zest on top and a whisk.

    Vegan Orange Buttercream Frosting

    This fluffy frosting uses fresh orange juice and zest for a delightfully fruity flavor. Beautiful paired with chocolate cake and cupcakes!
    At a glance: Zesty, citrusy, simple
    Effort: Low
    Time: 10 minutes
    Recipe by: foodsharingvegan.com
    CHECK OUT THIS RECIPE
    A bowl of cream cheese forsting with a metal whisk in.

    Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting

    Cream cheese frosting is tangy and delicious. Use a high fat vegan cream cheese for best results. Perfect for pairing with spiced bakes like carrot cake, pumpkin cupcakes or cinnamon rolls.
    At a glance: Tangy, creamy, sweet
    Effort: Low
    Time: 15 minutes
    Recipe by: veggiefunkitchen.com
    CHECK OUT THIS RECIPE

    Refined sugar-free frostings

    These dairy-free frosting recipes are sweetened with alternatives such as dates, sweet potato, and maple or agave syrup. Great if you are looking for lighter, less sweet vegan frosting recipes.

    A cupcake with a bite taken out held in a hand.

    Vegan Chocolate Sweet Potato Frosting

    This recipe uses the natural sweetness of cooked sweet potatoes to make a delicious chocolate frosting with no added sugar.
    At a glance: Fudgy, light, healthy
    Diet*: Paleo, refined sugar-free, soy-free
    Effort: Medium
    Time: 15 minutes + sweet potato cooking time
    Recipe by: www.eatingbyelaine.com
    CHECK OUT THIS RECIPE
    A cake decorated with carrot ribbons nuts and fruit on top of cream cheese frosting,

    Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting

    This vegan cream cheese frosting uses a base of tofu to make a creamy and wholesome frosting. Perfect to spread on top of vegan carrot cake or pumpkin cupcakes!
    At a glance: Tangy, creamy, high-protein
    Diet*: Oil-free, gluten-free, nut-free, refined sugar free
    Effort:
    Time:
    Recipe by: zardyplants.com
    CHECK OUT THIS RECIPE
    A bowl of thick chocolate frosting next to dates, cocoa powder and other ingredients.

    Vegan Oil-Free Chocolate Frosting

    This luscious chocolate frosting is naturally sweetened with dates. It also uses cashew butter to create its creamy texture, with no vegan butter required!
    At a glance: Fudgy, rich, wholesome
    Diet*: Oil-free, refined sugar-free
    Effort: Medium
    Time: 25 minutes
    Recipe by: minimalistbaker.com
    CHECK OUT THIS RECIPE
    Two cupcakes decorated with shredded coconut and frosting.

    Vegan Coconut Frosting and Cupcakes

    This coconut frosting is made with vegan butter, coconut milk and powdered erythritol instead of sugar. The coconut flavor would go fabulously with any cakes made with mango, lime or pineapple and, of course, these coconut cupcakes!
    At a glance: Tropical, nutty, creamy
    Diet*: Refined sugar-free
    Effort: Medium
    Time: 25 minutes
    Recipe by: strengthandsunshine.com
    CHECK OUT THIS RECIPE
    A bowl of thick and white cashew frosting.,

    Vegan Cashew Frosting

    This cashew-based frosting is made without vegan butter or sugar. It's sweetened with agave syrup.
    At a glance: Not so sweet, creamy, healthy
    Diet*: Oil-free, refined sugar-free
    Effort: Medium
    Time: 15 minutes + cashew soaking time
    Recipe by: simpleveganblog.com
    CHECK OUT THIS RECIPE

    We hope you found some yummy new vegan frostings to make and enjoy! → Read this next: The Best Vegan Chocolate Desserts: 40 Delicious Ideas!

    * Diet disclaimer: Diet information is included as a helpful guide, but can't be guaranteed, especially as external websites may update their recipes. If you are catering for allergies, take care to double-check the recipe and your ingredients.

    Now it's time to share your ideas...

    Tell us what you made with these vegan cupcake frosting recipes! Vicky x

    Vicky, a chick wearing a chef's hat and holding a spoon.

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