Vegan Chocolate Frosting
This vegan chocolate frosting is rich, creamy, and spreads like a dream—perfect for cakes, cupcakes, or straight off the spoon. With just five simple ingredients and 15 minutes, you’ll have a bakery-worthy frosting that’s light, fluffy, and deeply chocolatey. Whether you’re layering it thick or piping sky-high swirls, this is the only chocolate frosting recipe you’ll ever need!
Servings: 16
Calories: 106kcal
Equipment
- Handheld Mixer or Stand Mixer (can be whipped by hand, but an electric mixer will achieve better results)
Ingredients
- 1 cup softened plant-based butter Earth Balance buttery sticks recommended
- ⅔ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2-4 tablespoons plant-based milk coconut creates a creamier frosting
Instructions
- In a medium to large mixing bowl, whip softened butter until fluffy.
- Sift half of the powdered sugar and half of the cocoa powder into the whipped butter. Mix until fully combined.
- Add 2 tablespoons of plant-based milk of your choice, vanilla extract, and the rest of the powdered sugar and cocoa powder (sifted) to the mixture.
- After the frosting is fully mixed, optionally add 1-2 more tablespoons of milk until you reach your desired texture.
Notes
- This recipe makes enough for a double-layer 8-inch cake or 24 cupcakes. Want extra-thick swirls? Make 1.5x the recipe.
- Using unsalted vegan butter? Add ½ teaspoon of salt to enhance the chocolate flavor. It makes a difference!
- Plant milk matters! Make sure it’s room temperature before mixing—cold milk can cause separation.
- Need a thicker frosting? Add more powdered sugar a little at a time until it holds its shape.
- Too thick? A splash of plant milk (one teaspoon at a time) will loosen it up.
- Storage: Keep leftover frosting in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- Freezing: Store in a sealed container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temp and re-whip before using to bring back that fluffy texture.
- Make-ahead tip: If you’re prepping in advance, re-whip before frosting to fluff it back up!
- Want ultra-smooth frosting? Sift your cocoa powder and powdered sugar before mixing for a lump-free result.
Nutrition
Calories: 106kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 2g | Sodium: 90mg | Potassium: 58mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.2g | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg