This creamy dairy-free cream cheese frosting is a near perfect copycat of the traditional! Using solid coconut cream, dairy-free butter, and powdered sugar, you can create the perfect topping without real or vegan cream cheese (which is hard to find and full of random ingredients). Whip it up in 5 minutes with just 5 ingredients!
This dairy-free cream cheese frosting is super popular in the Fall months since it pairs well with pumpkin bread, pumpkin cinnamon rolls, Maple Brown Sugar Cookies, pumpkin bars and other Fall desserts. It's also popular in Spring and Summer because it's an excellent topping for carrot cake and funfetti cake. In the Winter months, it's most commonly used on cinnamon rolls, chocolate cake, brownies, red velvet cake and banana bread. You can also make sandwich cookies using my Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies.
For more dairy-free frosting recipes, check out my Dairy-Free Chocolate Frosting, Maple Buttercream Frosting, and Vegan Royal Icing.
For more dairy-free dessert recipes, check out my Dairy-Free Tiramisu, Vegan Tiramisu, Dairy-Free Gelato, Dairy-Free Whipped Cream, and Pumpkin Spice Whipped Cream (vegan).
How to make it (with photos)
This easy homemade frosting recipe comes together quickly with a few ingredients, and it tastes just like regular cream cheese frosting!
Ingredient Notes + Substitutions
This dairy-free cream cheese frosting recipe needs just five simple ingredients.
Dairy-free Butter
For traditional cream cheese frosting, the creamy base is butter and cream cheese. For this dairy-free version, I replaced the butter with dairy-free butter. I recommend using one with a texture similar to traditional butter (I used Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks). You can use salted or unsalted dairy-free butter.
Coconut Cream
The solid part of a can of full fat coconut milk or coconut cream is a perfect soft and creamy replacement for cream cheese. You can also use a dairy-free or vegan cream cheese, but they are usually harder to find, more expensive, and the results are nearly identical.
Powdered Sugar
Powdered sugar sweetens the frosting and thickens it. For a thicker or pipe-able frosting, add more powdered sugar. For a thinner icing, use less powdered sugar.
I recommend sifting the powdered sugar first to prevent lumps and over-mixing. Use vegan sugar for a vegan frosting recipe.
You also need vanilla extract and salt for the best flavor and to balance the sweetness.
See the recipe card for a full list of ingredients with quantities.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Learn how to make dairy-free cream cheese frosting in three easy steps.
- Vegan butter and coconut cream: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the dairy-free butter and coconut cream with an electric mixer on low-medium speed until smooth. Then add the vanilla extract and salt and beat until just mixed.
- Powdered sugar: Begin adding the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time and mix at low speed until smooth. Add more powdered sugar as desired to thicken.
- For frosting cakes + cupcakes: Once the cake or cupcakes have cooled to room temperature, spread the frosting over the cake in an even layer and swirl or decorate if you like.
Expert Tips
Make amazing dairy-free cream cheese frosting on the first try with these expert tips.
Mix at low or low-medium speed.
This frosting tends to collect air bubbles when mixed at high speeds. I recommend keeping a low speed setting on your electric mixer so the result stays smooth.
Tips for working with coconut cream:
- Use the solid part only.
- Refrigerate first for at least 24 hours to fully separate the solid and liquid parts of the can.
- Open the can upside down and pour off the liquid coconut water, leaving just the cream behind.
- Mix at low or low-medium speed to prevent separation.
Recipe FAQs
Here I answered some frequently asked questions about this dairy-free cream cheese icing. Don't see your question? Leave it in the comments at the end of this post and I'll answer within two business days.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
To pipe this vegan cream cheese frosting, use enough powdered sugar so it is thick and holds shape (the consistency in my photos will work). Then load it into a piping bag and use a large wide piping tip. I don't recommend making intricate designs since cream cheese icing is naturally less stable, but a large wide swirl with a round piping tip is perfect. For more intricate designs, I recommend using a dairy-free buttercream frosting.
You can use this frosting on layer cakes, but it is less sturdy than a buttercream. I recommend making sure it is at least as thick as the photos in this post so it holds the top layers. I recommend chilling the cake just after frosting since the softer texture melts more easily.
For the version with packaged vegan cream cheese, I recommend Kite Hill brand since it is firm and has a nice flavor. Tofutti brand has a good texture but the taste is a little different. Violife has a nice flavor but you may want to add a little less (or add more vegan butter) if your batch is too soft. You can find vegan cream cheese in your local health foods store or the vegan section of the grocery store.
Related dairy-free frosting recipes to consider...
Looking for more dairy-free frosting recipes like this DF cream cheese frosting? Check these out:
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the comment field below. Thank you!
📖 Recipe
Dairy-Free Cream Cheese Frosting (vegan)
Ingredients
- ½ cup dairy-free butter at room temperature (112 grams)
- ½ cup coconut cream , the solid part from a can of full fat coconut milk or coconut cream*, or dairy-free cream cheese (115 grams)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt , reduce to ¼ teaspoon if using salted butter
- 4 cups powdered sugar (400 grams, more or less to desired consistency)
Instructions
- Vegan butter and coconut cream: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the dairy-free butter and coconut cream with an electric mixer on low-medium speed until smooth. Then add the vanilla extract and salt and beat until just mixed.
- Powdered sugar: Begin adding the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time and mix at low speed until smooth. Add more powdered sugar as desired to thicken.
- For frosting cakes + cupcakes: Once the cake or cupcakes have cooled to room temperature, spread the frosting over the cake in an even layer and swirl or decorate if you like.
Gina says
This recipe is so creamy and perfect for all the Fall pumpkin desserts. I want to try it on your chocolate cake next!
Jamie says
Thanks Gina!