Best Ever Vegan Buttercream Frosting
Nothing says happy birthday like a real legit from scratch birthday cake and when you are gluten and dairy free that means smothering that delicious cake in vegan buttercream frosting. This recipe is a dairy free buttercream frosting with shortening because that is how you give it that fluffy melt in your mouth texture and flavor. Has your vegan buttercream too runny? This recipe will show you how to make it with the perfect texture.
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When I first went gluten free and dairy free I honestly thought enjoying cake was a thing of the past. That was until I started experimenting and I first created my My Personal Gluten Free All Purpose Flour Blend.
With that I was able to create the Vanilla Cake that is pictured here and what really made me decide to pursue this whole gluten free blog thing.
Once I finally created a vanilla cake with the perfect buttercream that melted in my mouth I knew others would appreciate these recipes.

Before creating this dairy free buttercream frosting I did not like buttercream. I preferred a whip cream topping because it was lighter.
The combo on vegan butter with the right vegetable shortening gives this dairy free buttercream frosting with shortening the absolute perfect flavor and consistency. You can decorate with it, it doesn’t get too hard and it tastes absolutely amazing!
Vegan Buttercream Frosting

This recipe is light and fluffy but provides the perfect amount of sweetness to your desserts. You can use it to decorate cookies and frost all of your favorite cakes.
Dairy Free Buttercream Frosting with Shortening

With only 5 ingredients you will find yourself turning to this recipe because it so simple to make and will never let you down.
Dairy Free Buttercream Icing

Has your vegan buttercream been too runny before?
The combo of vegan butter, shortening, and powdered sugar give this recipe the perfect texture and consistency.
If your frosting has been too runny before then you likely used too much liquid, or the ratio needed shortening. Nutiva or Spectrum Organic shortening are my go-to’s. Literally, these are all that I will use.
This frosting is incredibly simple to make and also pipes well. You can put it in the fridge for 10-20 minutes to stiffen after making it if it is too soft.

When I decorate cakes I start with adding some of this frosting to the top of the first layer, spreading it evenly and then placing the second layer on top.
Then you will add a thin layer of the buttercream and refrigerate for 10 minutes. Continue this process until the cake is frosted to your desire and then you can pipe it. If you plan on doing a lot of piping then you will need to double this recipe.


Dairy Free Buttercream Icing

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Ingredients
- ½ cup vegan butter
- ½ cup vegetable shortening I used Spectrum Organic Shortening -- 24 oz
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 4 tsp. dairy free milk
Instructions
- With a beater or stand mixer cream the butter and shortening until smooth
- Add sugar and beat for 1 minute on medium speed
- Add vanilla and milk and beat 3 minutes on medium/high speed until very smooth and fluffy
Notes

Make sure to share your culinary creation on Instagram with the #livingfreelyglutendfree

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Nutrition
If you want the chocolate version of this buttercream it is below.
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With a beater or stand mixer cream butter and shortening
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Add sugar and cocoa and beat for 1 minute.
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Add vanilla and milk.
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Beat on medium high speed for 3 minutes until very smooth and fluffy. Enjoy!
Need some delicious recipes to decorate with this vegan buttercream frosting? I’ve got you covered…
- Grain Free Chocolate Cake
- Sugar Cookies Gluten Free and Dairy Free
- Funfetti Cupcakes with Strawberry Buttercream that are Gluten Free and Dairy Free
- Vanilla Cake- Gluten Free, Dairy Free