This dairy-free buttercream frosting is both delicious and sturdy enough for your decorating needs. Buttercream is a great basic baking component to add to your toolkit, then you can flavor it as you would like!
The Story:
This quick and easy buttercream frosting is perfect for frosting cupcakes, cookies & even cakes! Dairy-free butter tends to become soft more easily than regular butter due to its make up being primarily of oils. The solution for this buttercream lies in the powdered sugar to butter ratio, as well as using a sturdy dairy-free butter. You can get creative with this classic buttercream frosting and add different flavors to create so many different flavor combinations!
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The Ingredients:
Here are the ingredients you will need to make dairy free buttercream frosting.
- Powdered Sugar: I use organic powdered sugar made without corn starch in order to keep my baked goods grain-free. Good and Gather offers a great powdered sugar that is made using tapioca flour, and it can easily be purchased at Target!
- Dairy-Free Butter: Based on my experience, Earth Balance butter f maintains its structure well, as well as stick dairy-free butter. Do not try to use a spreadable butter base as it is more soft to begin with.
- Vanilla: Adding just a bit of vanilla enriches the flavor of this classic buttercream frosting. I like using clear vanilla extract if you intend to pair this frosting with vanilla cupcakes, it gives it a more nostalgic flavor. You can use pure vanilla extract too, whichever you prefer!
How to Make Dairy Free Buttercream Frosting:
The process for making this dairy-free buttercream is very simple. I have found the most success with dairy-free buttercream when mixing it by hand. Again, the oil based properties of dairy-free buttercream can make it breakdown quicker so if intend to use a mixer, mix on a low speed.
- Step 1: By hand, or with a mixer on low speed, cream the butter until smooth.
- Step 2: Then, add in sifted powdered sugar and cream together until smooth and creamy. Sifting your powdered sugar will ensure your buttercream is as smooth as possible.
- Step 3: Lastly, if you are adding flavor to your frosting, add that in at this time and mix until just incorporated.
- Preparation tip: I find this buttercream is best after placing back in the fridge for 30+ minutes after making it. It helps it adhere completely together and create the best piping outcome. If piping your buttercream, place the frosting into the piping bag, then place in the refrigerator until ready to use. The frosting will firm up again, ensuring it holds its shape. With any buttercream, you do not want to leave your frosted baked good out for too long, but especially with dairy-free buttercream, you will want to keep your frosting refrigerated until just ready to use or serve.
Dairy Free Buttercream Frosting Recipe Tips:
- Sift your powdered sugar! This ensures a clump free, smooth buttercream frosting texture.
- Let your butter soften JUST slightly before making. Dairy free butter becomes soft more easily and quickly than regular butter, so I find it best to let it sit for just about 5 minutes before making the buttercream.
- Let the frosting set up in the fridge for about 30+ minutes after creating. You can use it directly after making, but for the best texture, I find it best to refrigerate for a bit before using. It will frost smoother that way!
- KEEP YOUR FROSTING AND FROSTED BAKED GOOD IN THE REFRIGERATOR! The frosting will become soft if kept out for too long.
- Use a large piping tip for decorating! Using a large piping tips is one of the easiest ways for your cupcakes to look beautiful. One of my go-to piping tip is the Wilton 1M Open Star Piping Tip. It helps you create effortlessly beautiful frosted cupcakes.
The Recipe:
The Finished Product:
This dairy free buttercream is quick, easy, versatile, allergy friendly and is a basic baking component to add to your repertoire that you can build upon to suit your need!
