Frosting so luscious and tasty your guest won’t believe it is vegan.
I’d like to start by saying I am not a vegan. I do however love to give new things a try, especially desserts. This vegan cream cheese frosting is easy to make, takes very little time and only uses three ingredients. As far as simple goes, this is as good as it gets.Â
Vegetarian and vegan food has been gaining significant traction in the food scene. This really comes as no surprise considering how many people are starting to become more health conscious and aware of what they are consuming. People are adding increasing amounts of fruits and vegetables to their diets daily and I know I am always looking for healthier options. What better place to explore this than dessert of course. I mean just because you are eating healthy doesn’t mean you can’t keep your sweet tooth.
I, like many people, can be a touch skeptical when I hear the word vegan come up. Especially when it comes to dessert. I have to come right out and say it though, this easy vegan cream cheese frosting does not disappoint. It has a smooth and creamy texture that screams decadence, with a nice tangy sweetness. In short, it makes my taste buds very happy, put on a blind fold and you would never guess which one was vegan.
More On Vegan Cream Cheese
Before I tried this recipe, I was not that familiar with vegan cream cheese. I had heard of it but wasn’t quite sure what it was. So I did a little digging. I thought for sure it had to be made out of something strange with tons of ingredients I couldn’t pronounce.Â
I was thrilled to find out how wrong I was.Â
The base, get this, is made of cashews! That’s right, turns out hot water and cashews becomes a magical non-dairy cream cheese. Well, there are a few other ingredients, like vinegar or lemon juice for tang and coconut cream or oil, tofu and sometimes vegetable shortening (depending on the brand you choose) for that extra bit of creaminess. What’s even better is that this healthier version of cream cheese is great for anyone looking to cut down on dairy or eliminate it all together.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup vegan butter softened
- 1Â 8-ounce container vegan cream cheese
- 3 to 5 cups organic powdered sugar sifted
How to Make Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting
Step 1: Place the softened vegan butter into a large mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer or a sturdy whisk, beat the butter until it’s smooth and creamy.
Step 2: Add the vegan cream cheese to the bowl with the butter. Continue to beat until well combined and creamy. If you’re using a stand mixer, make sure to scrape down the sides.
Step 3: Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time. Check the consistency after 3 cups; your frosting should be thick and spreadable. If it’s too thin or not sweet enough, continue to add more powdered sugar, one cup at a time.
FAQs & Tips
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Of course, you can! I even encourage it as the frosting is easier to pipe when slightly chilled.
How long will this easy vegan cream cheese frosting last?
Kept in an airtight container, it can be stored in the fridge for up to five days or three months in the freezer. If you do freeze it, let the frosting on the counter for about a half hour or so then give it a quick mix to make sure everything is smooth and there are no lumps first before placing in the freezer.
What can I do to make my frosting smoother?
Before you begin, place the bowl of your mixer in the fridge for ten to fifteen minutes. This will help keep your mixture smooth and even without having to worry about any of the ingredients melting or clumping up.
Do I need to store my frosted goodies specially?
Yes, but nothing crazy. Simply covered and placed in the fridge is fine. Most vegan cream cheeses use coconut oil to help achieve a firmer product. This is great in the end but coconut oil becomes a liquid pretty quickly at room temperature. Melting frosting is not a good look for your edible masterpiece.
Is vegan cream cheese healthier?
Yes, it is. Vegan cream cheese is made from cashews and is considered much healthier than its original dairy cousin, especially for anyone with a lactose intolerance or dairy allergy.
Serving Suggestions
Now that you have this incredible vegan cream cheese frosting you are going to need something equally tasty to put it on. Well that my friends is the easy part, since it tastes the same, if not better, than a regular cream cheese frosting. You can put it on just about any of your favorite vegan desserts. Like cupcakes and cookies, or carrot cake and my personal favorite, cinnamon rolls.
This easy-to-make frosting is incredibly versatile and can be used as is or you can add in some extra flavor as well. For extra sweetness add in a little maple syrup, try a few drops of vanilla or almond extract, and mix in some shredded coconut or lemon zest for a bit of tanginess. If you are looking to add a pop of color make sure to use only a very small amount of gel-based food coloring as any extra liquid could cause your frosting to break or separate. If your frosting does end up a little loose you can whip in a little extra powdered sugar to thicken things up. Likewise, if your frosting ends up a little too firm you can add in a splash of your favorite nut or nondairy milk and you’ll be good to go!
Easy Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients Â
- 1/2 cup vegan butter softened
- 1 8-ounce container vegan cream cheese
- 3 to 5 cups organic powdered sugar sifted
InstructionsÂ
- Place the softened vegan butter into a large mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer or a sturdy whisk, beat the butter until it's smooth and creamy.
- Add the vegan cream cheese to the bowl with the butter. Continue to beat until well combined and creamy. If you're using a stand mixer, make sure to scrape down the sides.
- Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time. Check the consistency after 3 cups; your frosting should be thick and spreadable. If it's too thin or not sweet enough, continue to add more powdered sugar, one cup at a time.
Nutrition
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