Vegan Chocolate Frosting Recipe – Dairy Free, 2 Ingredient (2024)

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

smooth ‘n creamy vegan chocolate frosting that’s so easy to pipe. Just 2 ingredients for the best dairy free frosting!

this recipe

Creamy, dreamy, luxurious and oh-so-GOOD. Those are just a few words to describe my amazing vegan chocolate frosting. It’s so ridiculously easy to make, with just 2 simple dairy free ingredients: vegan chocolate chips and coconut cream!

Today, I’m going to walk you through, step-by-step, as we make the easiest dairy free chocolate frosting you’ll ever need. Yep, I said it. 😉 My mom’s been raving about this vegan frosting, my 5-year-old nephew refers to it as the “frosting that tastes like chocolate ice cream!!!” and Erik is constantly telling me we need to find more things to frost…

Or perhaps we should just normalize the whole eating chocolate frosting straight outta the bowl thing. Oh, Erik! Like, no need to be a conformist, just do it anyway. You do you, ya know? 😉

My Favorite Vegan Chocolate Frosting

Anywho, since I shared this vegan chocolate frosting recipe a few years back, I’ve gotten rave reviews, glowing emails and more than a few questions about it. So today I’m covering your common questions, sharing some new photos, and taking you through how to make homemade vegan chocolate frosting.

You game? Let’s do it!

Vegan Chocolate Frosting Recipe – Dairy Free, 2 Ingredient (2)

Dairy Free Chocolate Frosting with just 2 Ingredients!

It’s super easy to make this homemade vegan chocolate frosting recipe–check out the how to photos below. Here are the two simple vegan & dairy-free ingredients:

  • Ingredient #1: vegan chocolate chips
  • Ingredient #2: coconut cream

How to Make Vegan Chocolate Frosting

Step 1: Chill

The night before, chill a can of coconut cream in the refrigerator—this way, you can easily scoop out the hardened coconut cream, while leaving behind coconut juice at the bottom of the can.

Step 2: Melt

Add coconut cream and vegan chocolate chips to a bowl. Melt together & stir in between heating increments—until it’s shiny and smooth.

Step 3: Chill until Firm

Chill the vegan chocolate frosting mixture aka chocolate ganache until firm. See Figure A below.

Vegan Chocolate Frosting Recipe – Dairy Free, 2 Ingredient (3)

Step 4: Scoop

Scoop the unwhipped vegan frosting mixture away from the sides of the bowl, then transfer to a stand mixerfitted with a whisk attachment, or keep in the bowl to mix. See Figure B below.

Vegan Chocolate Frosting Recipe – Dairy Free, 2 Ingredient (4)

Step 5: Whip the Frosting

Make sure to use a whisk attachment with your stand mixer or hand mixer. The whisk attachment is essential to creating beautifully whipped vegan chocolate frosting. Begin whipping the mixture—as it turns into vegan chocolate frosting, it will lighten up in color. See Figure C below.

Vegan Chocolate Frosting Recipe – Dairy Free, 2 Ingredient (5)

Step 6: Whip Some More

Whip until frosting is completely lightened to the color of milk chocolate frosting. See Figure D below.

Vegan Chocolate Frosting Recipe – Dairy Free, 2 Ingredient (6)

What Should I Frost with this Dairy Free Chocolate Frosting?

I’m so glad you asked. 😉 I’ve specifically written this dairy free chocolate frosting recipe to go with the following vegan dairy free desserts:

  • Vegan Chocolate Cake Recipe – gluten free, dairy-free with a 5-star rating!
  • Vegan Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes – dairy-free, perfect chocolate cupcakes, made with healthy ingredients.

Tips for the Best Vegan Chocolate Frosting

  • Make sure to use coconut cream, not coconut milk. This vegan chocolate frosting is made with coconut cream—which is the thick, white, creamy part of coconut milk. This is the coconut cream that I use. Coconut milk is much more watery.
  • If you want to use coconut milk… follow the instructions in the Notes portion of my recipe.
  • Don’t mix in the coconut juice from the can of coconut cream. When scooping and measuring your coconut cream, make sure to scoop up as little of the translucent coconut juice as possible. You want the thick, white creamy part.
  • Test a small batch in advance with the chocolate you’re using. I’ve found that some paleo or sugar-free chocolate brands will not work in this frosting recipe—it won’t yield a creamy frosting. Try making a small batch first before committing to using a full bag of expensive paleo or sugar-free chocolate.
  • Allow the chocolate ganache to de-chill a bit before whipping. When you’re scooping the chocolate ganache away from the sides of the bowl, it shouldn’t be that hard to scoop. If it’s too hard, give the ganache a few minutes to de-chill/warm up before whipping.

>>RELATED:2 Ingredient Vegan Chocolate Ganache – 5 min recipe!

Best Tools for Creamy Vegan Chocolate Frosting

  • Hand Mixersuper beautiful turquoise color & super sturdy in the kitchen!
  • Whisk Attachment – here’s the exact whisk attachment that I use with my awesome hand mixer.
  • Stand Mixer – the classic stand mixer: a must for the baker. 🙂
  • Vegan Chocolate Chips – a staple in my vegan gluten free dessert recipes!
  • Coconut Cream – just the best coconut cream & what I use in my paleo desserts recipes!
  • Glass Mixing Bowls – these are my favorite heatproof mixing bowls to use when making this vegan chocolate frosting! Perfect for heating, perfect for mixing.

Are you ready to frost ALL the things?? And by “things” I do mean vegan chocolate cupcakes, cake, vegan chocolate chip cookies, and um, your mouth (okay, that sounded weird)—I mean, just eat it from the bowl, it’s that good! It’s truly an honor to share in these kitchen adventures with you. I can’t wait to hear what you think! ‘Til then…

Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter ❤️

Click below to Pin

Vegan Chocolate Frosting Recipe – Dairy Free, 2 Ingredient (7)

Did you make this vegan chocolate frosting recipe? Take a pic & share it on Instagram with the hashtag #beamingbaker and tag @beamingbaker. I’d love to see it!

Vegan Chocolate Dessert Recipes

  • Vegan Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe (Dairy-Free)
  • My Favorite Vegan Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies! (Dairy-Free)
  • 5 Ingredient Vegan Coconut Chocolate Bars
  • 4 Ingredient Easy Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
  • Chocolate Overnight Oats Recipe (Vegan)
  • Vegan Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes
  • Paleo Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe
  • 50+ Gluten Free Dairy Free Desserts!
  • Soft Baked Chocolate Vegan Donuts Recipe (Gluten Free) – w/ Vegan Chocolate Ganache Glaze!

Print

Vegan Chocolate Frosting Recipe – Dairy Free, 2 Ingredient (8)

Vegan Chocolate Frosting Recipe – Dairy Free

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star

5 from 27 reviews

  • Author: Demeter | Beaming Baker
  • Total Time: 2 hours 2 minutes
  • Yield: enough for 12 cupcakes 1x
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe

Description

Vegan Chocolate Frosting: smooth ‘n creamy vegan chocolate frosting that’s so easy to pipe. Just 2 ingredients for the best dairy free frosting!

Ingredients

Scale

Instructions

  1. The night before, place can of coconut cream into the refrigerator to chill. This will make it easier to scoop the firm cream out of the can–leaving behind any extra coconut juice. Instructions on using full-fat coconut milk in Notes.*
  2. Use the double boiler method to melt the chocolate and coconut cream, or do the following: add coconut cream and chocolate chips to a large microwave-safe bowl—use a deep bowl if you plan to whip the frosting later in this bowl. Heat in 30-second increments until melted and smooth. Stir between heating increments, until chocolate is melted. Once completely melted, whisk thoroughly until smooth.
  3. Transfer to refrigerator to chill for 2-5 hours. It’s done when the mixture is medium firm, similar to a very firm gel. It will be stiff enough to be solid, but lightly depresses when pressing a finger into it. See Figure A.
  4. Using a spoon, scoop this mixture into a large, deep mixing bowl for whipping (or use the same bowl). You may also transfer to the mixing bowl of a stand mixer. If the texture is right, it won’t be too hard to spoon. See Figure B.
  5. Allow to soften and warm up a bit at room temperature, for about 10-15 minutes. It should be soft enough to whip, but firm enough to not become liquidy when whipping. See Figure C.
  6. Using a hand mixer, or a stand mixer, fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the frosting mixture until fluffy. The color of the mixture will lighten to that of milk chocolate. See Figure D.
  7. Frost completely cooled Vegan Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes. Or, make a double batch for my favorite Vegan Chocolate Cake Recipe. Enjoy!

ForPaleo Cupcakes, try my rich & moist Paleo Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe.

Notes

*To use canned full-fat (not light) coconut milk, do the following: The night before, chill 2 cans of full fat coconut milk, being careful not to shake the contents. Open the can (or cans, if needed) and scoop the firm, white solid part off the top—this is the coconut cream. Measure out what’s needed.

Where to Buy Ingredients: Vegan Chocolate Chips | Coconut Cream

Note: This frosting recipe makes enough frosting for 12 cupcakes with medium high frosted tops.

Storing Instructions:Use frosting immediately after whipping. Frosted cupcakes will keep for 3 days at room temperature. Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container, in a cool, dark environment for up to 3 days.

Recommended Tools: Pink Hand Mixer + Whisk Attachment | Mixing Bowls | KitchenAid Stand Mixer | 4oz Prep Bowls | 4 Event Timer

ForPaleo Cupcakes, try my rich & moist Paleo Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe.

  • Prep Time: 2 hours
  • Cook Time: 2 mins
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Chill
  • Cuisine: American

© beamingbaker.com. All content and images are protected by copyright. Please do not use my images or recipe without my permission. Please do not republish this recipe, instead, include a link to this post for the recipe.

This post may contain affiliate links, which allow me to make a small commission for my referral, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Beaming Baker.

Vegan Chocolate Frosting Recipe – Dairy Free, 2 Ingredient (2024)

FAQs

What is a substitute for milk in chocolate frosting? ›

Dairy Substitutes for Milk
  • Cream or Half-and-Half. Cream is richer than milk, so to avoid heavier dough or batter use a ratio of about 60 percent cream to 40 percent water. ...
  • Evaporated or Powdered Milk. ...
  • Sour Cream or Plain Yogurt. ...
  • Water (or Water and Butter) ...
  • Nut Milk. ...
  • Soy Milk. ...
  • Oat Milk. ...
  • Rice Milk.
Apr 3, 2023

What can I substitute for milk in frosting? ›

I always use water in my buttercream. There is no taste difference. You can also leave it out on the counter without it going bad. And IMHO, water cuts down on the sugary taste and it makes the Buttercream fluffier and lighter than milk.

Which cake frosting is vegan? ›

Betty Crocker Icing

Betty Crocker frostings are made with dairy-free ingredients, such as vegetable oil and natural sweeteners. Their vegan options include: Classic Coffee. Indulgent Chocolate Fudge.

What is dairy free icing made of? ›

FAQS and tips for making dairy free frosting

Vegan icing is typically made from vegetable shortening or vegan butter, mixed with powdered organic sugar and flavorings, like vanilla extract or cocoa powder.

What replaces milk in vegan chocolate? ›

Vegan chocolates made with oat milk are an excellent alternative to milk chocolate made with dairy or nuts. Oat milk chocolate has a natural creaminess, reminiscent of traditional milk chocolate. Oat milk tends to be milder than nut milks, which gives room for the cocoa bean flavor to come through.

What is a vegan substitute for milk in a cake? ›

Among other milk alternatives like almond milk, soy milk and oat milk, soy milk is by far the best for baking. I learned this over the course of several years and many cookies, cakes, muffins and pies.

What is the best vegan butter for frosting? ›

Make sure to use a vegan butter you like the flavor of. I think Miyoko's is best, but recently I discovered Trader Joe's vegan butter which is equally amazing. Other brands will work, but just know whatever butter you use will determine the flavor. It needs to be softened to room temperature, NOT melted.

What kind of frosting is dairy free? ›

Royal icing is a simple icing that is typically used for decorating sugar cookies, gingerbread houses, cakes, and cupcakes. Prepared with just a few ingredients, this icing is perfect for everyday treats as well as special occasions. And it's totally dairy free.

What is a non-dairy substitute for milk? ›

Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy.
  • Soy milk. ...
  • Beverages, almond milk, unsweetened, shelf stable. ...
  • The Original Oat-Milk. ...
  • Cashew Milk. ...
  • Beverages, coconut milk, sweetened, fortified with calcium, vitamins A, B12, D2. ...
  • Unsweetened Nutritious Pea Milk, Original.
Feb 16, 2024

What frosting is vegan friendly? ›

Vegan Buttercream Frosting: Use vegan butter (made from plant-based oils) in place of dairy butter to create a classic buttercream frosting. You can also find pre-made vegan buttercream frosting in stores. Coconut Cream Frosting: Coconut cream can be whipped to create a light and fluffy frosting.

What is vegan frosting made of? ›

To make this Easy Vegan Vanilla Frosting, you'll need just a few ingredients. Softened vegan butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a little non-dairy milk. The great thing about this recipe is that it can easily be used for different things.

Why is my vegan frosting runny? ›

If you're not adding enough sugar, your buttercream won't be stable enough to hold its shape for long. If you're adding a little plant-based milk to thin the buttercream when frosting a cake, you might be adding too much of it, again, making it too unstable.

Does vegan mean dairy-free? ›

A vegan diet excludes all animal products, including dairy, eggs, meat, and fish, whereas a dairy-free diet bans all milk products but not necessarily any other animal products. While all vegan foods are inherently dairy-free, not all dairy-free foods are vegan.

Is Cool Whip dairy-free? ›

From its introduction, Cool Whip was labeled and advertised as non-dairy, but as of 2018 it contains skimmed milk and sodium caseinate, a milk derivative. Even before the skimmed milk was introduced, Cool Whip was classified in Jewish dietary traditions as dairy because of the sodium caseinate.

Is there ice cream made without dairy? ›

Oatly. The oat base in Oatly allows for a creamy, dairy-like texture. A very close second to Jeni's, Oatly ice cream is satisfyingly creamy, has a decadent flavor, and won over most of the Reviewed staff during testing.

Can you use water instead of milk in frosting? ›

Thin Consistency: Add 2 teaspoons of liquid (light corn syrup, milk or water) for each cup of buttercream frosting. For pure white frosting, add up to 4 tablespoons of liquid. Thin consistency is best for cake frosting, as well as piping lines and letters.

Can you use water instead of milk in chocolate cake? ›

Can I use water instead of milk in chocolate cake? You can use water instead of milk but keep in mind that milk contains fat and protein, which add to a cake's texture and flavor. If you go with water, you may need to adjust the other ingredients in the recipe to compensate.

Can you use water instead of milk for chocolate milk? ›

A: Yes you can, just doesn't taste as creamy. You'll also have to adjust amount of Ovaltine to water compared to with milk to get the right taste.

Can I substitute heavy cream for milk in frosting? ›

Using heavy whipping cream instead of milk and beating it for several minutes is the secret to super fluffy, silky smooth buttercream. The reason is simple: Beating cream allows you to incorporate some air into the buttercream. Anyone who's ever made whipped cream knows how this works.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Maia Crooks Jr

Last Updated:

Views: 5910

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (63 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Maia Crooks Jr

Birthday: 1997-09-21

Address: 93119 Joseph Street, Peggyfurt, NC 11582

Phone: +2983088926881

Job: Principal Design Liaison

Hobby: Web surfing, Skiing, role-playing games, Sketching, Polo, Sewing, Genealogy

Introduction: My name is Maia Crooks Jr, I am a homely, joyous, shiny, successful, hilarious, thoughtful, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.