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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    published: Mar 28, 2021 · by Kris · This post may contain affiliate links

    Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting

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    Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting
    Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting
    Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting

    This vegan cream cheese frosting is so easy to work with and pipes beautifully! It's smooth and creamy and immediately improves anything you put it on.

    vegan cream cheese frosting on a cupcake this Recipe
    Table of Contents
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Step By Step Instructions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Storing and Freezing
    • Related Recipes
    • Recipe

    If, like me, you aren't a fan of overly sweet frostings trust me that this one is just sweet enough and has that tangy flavor that you expect from a cream cheese frosting. Use it on carrot cake, spice cake, red velvet cake or sugar cookies. It's simply perfection on vegan carrot cake cupcakes too.

    Ingredient Notes

    vegan cream cheese frosting ingredients
    • Vegetable shortening - I like to use Spectrum organic brand. You can use all butter in this recipe, but I find that the combination of the two provides a good structure for this frosting.
    • Vegan butter - I typically use butter sticks like Earth Balance or Miyoko's It's best to avoid the tubs of butter because they have a higher water count that often results in a softer frosting.
    • Vegan cream cheese - we typically use Tofutti, but other brands should work just as well.
    • Powdered sugar - this is sometimes also referred to as confectioners sugar or icing sugar. Make sure to sift this for a very smooth frosting.
    • Lemon juice - I like the extra tang that the lemon juice provides, but you could also use lemon zest or skip it altogether.
    • Vanilla
    • Salt - if not using unsalted butter add just a pinch of salt

    Step By Step Instructions

    It's important that the shortening, butter and cream cheese all be at room temperature, but not melted.

    Use a mixer to beat the shortening on low speed for several minutes until it's smooth and creamy.

    vegan cream cheese frosting in mixing bowl step 1

    Then add in the butter and beat for another 2-3 minutes on low speed until it's smooth and completely mixed together.

    vegan cream cheese frosting in mixing bowl step 2

    It's important to avoid overbeating the mixture once the the cream cheese has been added. Drain off any excess water that may be in the cream cheese container and add that to the mixer bowl and beat for 1-2 minute just until everything is mixed together. It will be pretty thick at this point.

    vegan cream cheese frosting in mixing bowl step 3

    Now start adding powdered sugar in ½ cup at a time and mix on low just long enough for it incorporate. Stop to scrape down the sides after each addition.

    vegan cream cheese frosting in mixing bowl step 4

    Mix in the lemon juice, vanilla and salt by hand or if using the mixer for just a few seconds. The frosting can be used right away, but for best results or if you plan to pipe it on place it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before using to let it firm up.

    vegan cream cheese frosting in bowl

    After being in the fridge for at least 30 minutes this vegan cream cheese frosting is firm enough to pipe onto cupcakes or be used on a layer cake. This recipes makes the perfect amount for piping frosting onto 12 cupcakes or will cover one 9" cake, but go ahead and double it for a layer cake.

    vegan cream cheese frosting on a cupcake close up

    I know it's tempting to frost those baked good right away, but unless you wait until they are completely cooled your frosting will get all melty. Be patient - I promise it's worth it!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Does it matter what brands I use?

    Not really, but the frosting will be firmer if you make sure to use vegan sticks of butter instead of the kinds that comes in a tub.

    Do I need to use the shortening?

    No, you could replace it with additional butter. However, the final result may be a bit less firm. The shortening provides a little bit of structure to the frosting.

    Storing and Freezing

    This keeps well in the fridge for up to a week in an airtight container. Let it sit on the counter for 10-15 minutes before using.

    Make sure to refrigerate any baked goods that have been frosted with vegan cream cheese frosting.

    I have not attempted to freeze this yet so I'm not sure how well that will work.

    Related Recipes

    • Vegan Carrot Cake Cupcakes
    • Vegan Chocolate Covered Strawberries
    • Chewy Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Vegan Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins
    Print

    Recipe

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    vegan cream cheese frosting on a cupcake

    Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting


    ★★★★★

    5 from 4 reviews

    • Author: Kris
    • Total Time: 40 minutes
    • Yield: 2 ½ cups 1x
    • Diet: Vegan
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    This vegan cream cheese frosting is so easy to work with and pipes beautifully! It's smooth and creamy and immediately improves anything you put it on.


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • ½ cup vegetable shortening, room temperature
    • ½ cup vegan butter, room temperature
    • 8 oz vegan cream cheese, room temperature
    • 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
    • ½ tsp lemon juice
    • ½ tsp vanilla
    • pinch of salt (optional)

    Instructions

    1. Beat the shortening with a mixer on low speed for 3 minutes until smooth and creamy.
    2. Add in the butter and beat for another 2-3 minutes until completely mixed.
    3. Drain off any excess water that may be in the cream cheese container and then add to the shortening butter mixture and beat on low speed for 1-2 minutes just until everything is incorporated.  The mixture will be pretty thick at this point.
    4. Start adding powdered sugar ½ cup at a time and mix on low until combined.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl each time you add more sugar.
    5. After all the sugar has been added, mix in the lemon juice, vanilla and salt.
    6. Put the frosting in the fridge for a least 30 minutes to allow it to firm up before frosting or piping.

    Notes

    • Be careful not to overbeat once the cream cheese has been added or it may become watery.
    • Make sure to fully cool whatever baked goods you use this frosting on or it will get all melty.
    • This recipe makes enough for about 12 cupcakes or (1) 8 or 9 inch cake. Double it for a double layer cake.
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Chill Time: 30 minutes
    • Category: sweets
    • Method: no-bake
    • Cuisine: american

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: ¼ cup
    • Calories: 260
    • Sugar: 19.6
    • Sodium: 160
    • Fat: 19.2
    • Saturated Fat: 6.3
    • Carbohydrates: 21.3
    • Protein: .7

    Keywords: frosting, cream cheese, vegan

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Megan says

      March 29, 2021 at 4:26 pm

      So creamy and fluffy! And I love how simple the recipe is.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Freya says

      March 29, 2021 at 4:30 pm

      Delicious and easy! Works so well!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. Jacq says

      March 29, 2021 at 7:47 pm

      Its so difficult finding a good vegan cream cheese frosting. Yours looks like a great recipe! Will definitely be trying this soon for my kids next batch of cupcakes. Thanks!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kris says

        March 30, 2021 at 3:00 pm

        We love it and it's so good that we fight over who gets to lick the bowl.

        Reply
    4. Jeannie says

      March 29, 2021 at 10:38 pm

      I need this in my life! Something I do miss is cream cheese I didnt know its so easy to veganize 🙂

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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