Vegan Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Without Shortening
Perfectly pipeable vegan vanilla buttercream without shortening. It's rich, creamy, and comes together in just a few minutes. Use it on cakes, cupcakes, brownies, and more!
Servings: 16 (varies: 1 layer cake or 24 cupcakes)
Ingredients
- 1 cup vegan stick butter, room temperature
- 3 to 3½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 to 2 tablespoons non-dairy milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 pinch fine salt
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat the room temperature vegan stick butter on medium speed for about 1–2 minutes until it looks smooth and slightly fluffy.
- Beat in the sifted powdered sugar 1 cup at a time with the mixer running on low speed. Once all the sugar is added, increase to medium speed but stop beating as soon as the mixture is combined and smooth.
- Add 2 tablespoons of non-dairy milk, the vanilla extract, and salt. Beat on medium speed for about 30 seconds to a 1 minute, scraping down the bowl as needed.
- If the frosting feels too thin for piping, add more sifted powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time. If it’s too stiff, add more non-dairy milk, a teaspoon at a time.
- Use immediately or store for up to 5 days in an airtighter container ian the fridge or for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Notes
- Tip on Butter: Always use stick-style vegan butter (like Earth Balance or Country Crock sticks). Tub spreads contain too much water and will cause your shortening-free buttercream to split or curdle.
- Room Temperature is Key: Your plant butter should yield slightly to a gentle press but still hold its shape perfectly. If it's too warm or greasy, pop it in the fridge for 5 minutes before beating.
- Refrigerator Storage: Keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Bring it completely back to room temperature and re-whip it with your mixer for a minute before using.
- Freezer Storage: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, let it come to room temperature on the counter, and re-whip until completely smooth.
- Nutritional information is an estimate based on standard stick-style vegan butter. Actual values will vary depending on the exact brands you use and your serving size.
Nutrition
Calories: 187kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 85mg | Potassium: 1mg | Sugar: 22g | Calcium: 2mg
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