Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting

Name: Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup (8 oz) dairy-free cream cheese, cold; 1/2 cup dairy-free butter; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted; 1-2 tbsp non-dairy milk (only if needed)

by Kaylie Grace on December 5, 2023

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This easy vegan cream cheese frosting recipe is made with only 4 ingredients! Simply combine your favorite dairy-free cream cheese, vegan butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a bowl. It’s light, fluffy, sweet, tangy, and made in 10 minutes. Use it for cake, cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, and more!

a silicone spatula mixing dairy-free cream cheese frosting in a glass mixing bowl

While you can’t go wrong with classic vanilla frosting, some baked goods are better paired with a cream cheese flavor. Once you learn how to make this homemade Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting, you’ll be prepared for those occasions!

This dairy-free cream cheese frosting is light, fluffy, sweet, and has a subtle tangy flavor. It’s super easy to make at home with a stand mixer or a handheld mixer. You only need one bowl and 10 minutes to prepare it. Oh, and as if it couldn’t get any simpler, you just need 4 ingredients! How neat is that?

Additionally, you can prepare this frosting ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. That way, it will be ready to go whenever your baked goods are completed. It makes a wonderful topping for cakes, cupcakes, brownies, cinnamon rolls, and more. Personally, I think it tastes best with carrot cake and pumpkin cake!

This cream cheese frosting is:

Vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free
Quick, easy, and ready in 10 minutes
Made with only 4 ingredients
Can be soy-free (with a soy-free cream cheese)
A great frosting for seasonal baked goods

What is vegan cream cheese frosting made of?

Vegan cream cheese: While you can use any type of vegan cream cheese for this recipe, there are some options that are better than others. I recommend using the Toffuti brand because it produces the best flavor. Other nice options include Miyoko’s and Kite Hill.
Vegan butter: Vegan buttery sticks (such as the Earth Balance or Miyoko’s brand) will give you the best results. Stay away from tub butters and margarine spreads when creating homemade frosting. Those often create an oily, runny consistency.
Powdered sugar: It’s important to sift the powdered sugar before adding it to the bowl. This removes clumps, which ensures the frosting is totally smooth and creamy.
Vanilla extract: Vanilla adds sweetness and a rich vanilla flavor.
Non-dairy milk: Only use non-dairy milk if needed. For instance, it isn’t necessary for cakes and cupcakes as you’ll want that frosting to remain thick. On the contrary, you may want to thin the consistency if you are using this frosting for cinnamon rolls.

bowls of ingredients for homemade vegan cream cheese frosting

How to make this dairy-free cream cheese frosting recipe

For the full ingredient measurements and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to view the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

First, chill a large mixing bowl in the freezer for 5-10 minutes. The colder it is, the better.

vegan butter, vegan cream cheese, and vanilla extract inside a glass mixing bowl — Next, add cold vegan cream cheese, vegan butter, and vanilla extract to the chilled bowl.

a handheld electric mixer creaming vegan butter, vegan cream cheese, and vanilla extract together — Using a stand mixer or a handheld electric mixer, cream the ingredients together until smooth.

powdered sugar on top of creamed vegan butter in a glass mixing bowl — Add 1 cup sifted powdered sugar to the bowl. Cream together until light and fluffy.

a handheld electric mixer beating homemade vegan cream cheese frosting in a glass mixing bowl — Repeat with the remaining powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time. If needed, add 1-2 tbsp non-dairy milk to thin the consistency.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What is the best vegan cream cheese brand for frosting?

In my opinion, Tofutti is the best brand for dairy-free cream cheese frosting. It has a smooth, creamy texture and subtle tangy flavor. Other good options include Miyoko’s and Kite Hill.

How to thicken cream cheese frosting?

In order to create thick cream cheese frosting, chill the bowl in the freezer for 5-10 minutes before beginning the recipe. If it’s too runny after preparing it, cover and chill the frosting in the refrigerator to thicken again. Alternatively, beat 1-2 tbsp cornstarch into the frosting.

Does cream cheese frosting need to be refrigerated?

Yes. You must store this vegan cream cheese frosting in the refrigerator to keep it from spoiling. Do not leave it out for more than 2 hours.

How to store vegan cream cheese frosting

Store this vegan cream cheese frosting inside a sealed container in the refrigerator. Enjoy it within 5-7 days. If you need to save it longterm, keep in the freezer and use within 3 months.

a silicone spatula mixing vegan cream cheese frosting in a glass mixing bowl

More vegan frosting recipes

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