How to Make Fluffy Dairy-Free Frosting - Recipe and Tips (2024)

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by Alea Milham 6 Comments

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Have you been looking for a dairy-free frosting to enjoy in place of buttercream frosting on cakes and cupcakes? You are going to love the taste and texture of this fluffy dairy-free frosting recipe.
How to Make Fluffy Dairy-Free Frosting - Recipe and Tips (1)

On several occasions, I have mentioned that my oldest son is dairy-intolerant. What I haven’t mentioned before is that he is also allergic to soy. As you have probably noticed, soy is often used as a dairy substitute,so that can make it hard to find things like a dairy-free butteryspreadthat he can use.

I was excited to see thatMELT® Organic, was not only dairy-free but also soy-free. It’s made from a blend of fruit and plant-based organic oils: virgin coconut, flaxseed, hi-oleic sunflower, palm fruit, and canola.

We tried MELT Organic on waffles and toast. I used it to saute vegetables and to make muffins. In each case, MELT Organic baked, sizzled, and melted just like butter and tasted delicious. So I decided to put it to the ultimate test and use it to make dairy-free “butter cream” frosting. It produced a luscious, fluffy frosting that the entire family enjoyed!

How to Make Fluffy Dairy-Free Frosting - Recipe and Tips (2)

How to Make Fluffy Dairy-Free Frosting

To make a fluffy dairy-free vanilla frosting, you need to start by letting MELT Organic come to room temperature. (Do NOT soften it up in the microwave!) Then you beat your MELT Organic with the mixer for several minutes to make it light and fluffy. Then add vanilla and a dash of salt and mix until blended. Then you slowly add powdered sugar while beating it and a little vanilla almond milk. And then you beat it for another couple minutes.

How to Make Fluffy Dairy-Free Frosting - Recipe and Tips (3)

All of the blending makes this frosting recipe take a little longer, but the results are worth it!

Dairy-Free Buttercream Frosting Recipe

You can use Melt Organic Spread in the tub or Melt Organic Sticks in this vanilla icing recipe.

Time: 10 minutes

Serves: 24 – 36 cupcakes

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup MELT Organic, room temperature
  • 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 two-pound bag (or about 7 cups) of powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla almond milk

Directions:

  1. Measure 1 cup of MELT Organic and set it in a bowl on the counter until it reaches room temperature.
  2. Using a mixer, whip the MELT Organic for 2 – 3 minutes.
  3. Add the vanilla and salt. Mix well.
  4. Start adding the powdered sugar a couple of cups at a time until it is all mixed in.
  5. Addhalf of the vanilla almond milk into the frosting mixture, then check the consistency. Add the rest of the almond milk until you reach the desired consistency.
  6. Whip the frosting mixture for 1 – 2 more minutes.
  7. Use immediately to frost a cake, cookies, or cupcakes. Store any leftover frosting in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

How to Make Fluffy Dairy-Free Frosting - Recipe and Tips (4)

Printable Recipe forFluffy Dairy-Free Frosting

Dairy-Free Buttercream Frosting Recipe

This dairy-free frosting recipe is a delicious substitute for buttercream icing.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword Dairy-free Buttercream Frosting, Dairy-Free Frosting Recipe, Dairy-Free Icing Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 24

Author Alea Milham

Ingredients

  • 1 cup MELT Organic room temperature
  • 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 two-pound bag or about 7 cups of powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla almond milk

Instructions

  • Measure 1 cup of MELT Organic and set it in a bowl on the counter until it reaches room temperature.

  • Using a mixer, whip the MELT Organic for 2 - 3 minutes.

  • Add the vanilla and salt. Mix well.

  • Start adding the powdered sugar a couple of cups at a time until it is all mixed in.

  • Addhalf of the vanilla almond milk into the frosting mixture, then check the consistency. Add the rest of the almond milk until you reach the desired consistency.

  • Whip the frosting mixture for 1 - 2 more minutes.

  • Use immediately to frost a cake, cookies, or cupcakes.

Notes

Store any leftover frosting in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

As a mom, it feels good to be able to make something that my soncan enjoy without having to worry about a reaction to the ingredients.

Is there a reason that you or someone in your family avoids butter? If you would like to try MELT®Organic spreads, you can use this store locator to find it at a store near you.

More Dairy-Free Recipes

Dairy-Free Chocolate Frosting Recipe

Crisco Frosting Recipe

Dairy-Free Ranch Dip

Dairy-Free Frozen Yogurt

Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Recipes

I originally created this dairy-free frosting recipe for MELT Organic on January 12, 2015. It was updated on November 13, 2019.

About Alea Milham

Alea Milham is the owner of Premeditated Leftovers and the author of Prep-Ahead Meals from Scatch. She shares her tips for saving money and time while reducing waste in her home. Her favorite hobby, gardening, is a frugal source of organic produce for her recipes. She believes it is possible to live fully and eat well while spending less.

Comments

  1. Carolyne says

    Can I use any non dairy butter? I don’t think we have that brand in Canada.

    Reply

    • Alea Milham says

      Yes, you can.

      Reply

  2. Sharon says

    Can you freeze the cupcakes after being iced?

    Reply

    • Alea Milham says

      Yes, you can.

      Reply

  3. Kimberly says

    How to Make Fluffy Dairy-Free Frosting - Recipe and Tips (6)
    Can I use food coloring paste in this recipe? I’m wanting to use yellow and orange for cupcakes for my twins birthday party. Just curious if this would change the consistency at all. Please let me know what you think!
    Thank you so much!

    Reply

    • Alea Milham says

      Yes, you can.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

How to Make Fluffy Dairy-Free Frosting - Recipe and Tips (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to frosting to make it fluffier? ›

"Mixing in cream cheese, whipped cream, lemon zest, or even Nutella can make such a difference." From making frosting creamier or fluffier to changing its flavor, these easy changes will certainly impress anyone you're planning to share your dessert with.

How to thicken dairy free frosting? ›

To thicken vegan icing, you can use a combination of maple syrup, coconut cream and cornstarch. Start by adding 1/4 cup of cornstarch to 1/4 cup of maple syrup in a small pot on medium heat. Stir until it becomes a thick paste and then add in 1/2 cup of coconut cream. Continue to stir until it becomes thick and smooth.

What can I substitute for milk in frosting? ›

Milk in most recipes hydrates the dry ingredients and adds flavor, and there are plenty of substitutes that can do just that without compromising the final result.
  • Half and half. ...
  • Heavy cream. ...
  • Nondairy milks, like soy and almond. ...
  • Sour cream. ...
  • Yogurt. ...
  • Evaporated milk. ...
  • Canned coconut milk. ...
  • Water.
Dec 3, 2021

How to fix split dairy free buttercream? ›

If you find that it does split, place it in the refrigerator for a few minutes before continuing (if the butter was too warm) or let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes (if the butter or milk was too cold).

How do you make icing puffy? ›

The key to achieving this is using thicker icing than what you're usually using! If you want puffy icing that holds its shape and height, it has to be thicker than what you're used to. Many cookiers have seen or heard of the “glob and ribbon” consistency.

What is the secret ingredient that will improve your frosting? ›

But, there are ways to make it more interesting; one such way is to hit it with a shot of vinegar. Don't worry, the icing won't taste sour or like vinegar at all, but the acid will help balance out the sweetness, making it taste more pleasant.

What is a good non-dairy substitute for milk? ›

Among other milk alternatives like almond milk, soy milk and oat milk, soy milk is by far the best for baking. I learned this over the course of several years and many cookies, cakes, muffins and pies. Moreover, some people will tell you that you must swap full-fat coconut milk in for heavy cream or half-and-half.

Is it better to use milk or water in frosting? ›

Liquid substitute: Water can be used as the liquid ingredient, although the fat from milk and heavy cream make for creamier, more flavorful buttercream.

Which vegan butter is best for frosting? ›

Vegan buttercream frosting ingredients

I recommend Miyoko's vegan butter for the best all around vegan butter. for a nut-free vegan butter option.

Why is my dairy free buttercream runny? ›

If you're not adding enough sugar, your buttercream won't be stable enough to hold its shape for long. If you're adding a little plant-based milk to thin the buttercream when frosting a cake, you might be adding too much of it, again, making it too unstable.

Why is my buttercream not fluffy? ›

If it's too stiff and sticks straight up, I suggest adding in more heavy cream (1 Tbsp at a time). If it's too thin and doesn't form a little peak at all, try adding a bit more powdered sugar (1/4 cup at a time). You can also chill it in the fridge for 10-minute intervals.

Why is my frosting not fluffy enough? ›

Try thickening it with a bit of heavy whipping cream. You can add up to ¼ cup of heavy cream, depending on how much you need to thicken it. Then whip the frosting until it fluffs up.

What can you add to canned frosting to make it better? ›

Smooth Additions
  1. Cream cheese. Beat in 8 ounces of room temperature plain or flavored cream cheese. ...
  2. Whipped cream. Mix equal parts freshly whipped cream and frosting. ...
  3. Butter. This makes a buttercream more buttery. ...
  4. Peanut butter or other nut butter. ...
  5. Nutella. ...
  6. Cookie butter. ...
  7. Jam, preserves, or marmalade. ...
  8. Lemon curd.
Feb 14, 2024

Why do you put heavy cream in frosting? ›

Heavy Cream – I prefer to use higher-fat heavy whipping cream in my whipped cream recipes, as it produces a thicker, more stable frosting. While you can still use it, regular whipping cream has a slightly lower fat content.

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