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    Home » Vegan Basics » Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting

    Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting

    Published: Apr 8, 2020 · Modified: Jan 22, 2023 by Natalia · This post may contain affiliate links .

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    This Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting is creamy, rich and thick. Made in just 5 minuts, it’s the perfect frosting recipe for a delicious carrot or red velvet cake. And the best part, it only requires 3 basic ingredients!

    Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting

    Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting

    I bet some of you may be wondering if the delicious and addictive traditional Cream Cheese Frosting can be vegan. Well, it can.

    Traditional frosting uses dairy butter and cream cheese, while vegan frosting uses plant based butter and cream cheese, both easily available nowadays.

    By the way, thinking of making a delightfully fragrant vegan carrot cake to frost with this vegan cream cheese frosting? I got you covered! Try my recipe for a flavorful and easy vegan carrot cake!

     

    Tips for the Best Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting

    • Sift the powdered sugar. I don’t normally sift powdered sugar when making a frosting but I do it for this one. It ensures that your ingredients will be lump free.
    • I recommend making the frosting before and keeping it refrigerate while you prepare the cakes or cupcakes you are going to frost.
    • Even better, if you can make the frosting the night before and keep it in the fridge overnight. It will firm up as it gets cool.
    • Refrigerate the layers of your cake, wrapped in plastic, for a couple of hours or overnight. It’s easier to frost a cake when the layers are cold.

    frosted carrot cake on a white plate, a bowl with walnuts and a piping bag

    How to Make the Best Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting

    Step One

    Bring the vegan cream cheese and vegan butter to room temperature. The ingredients will come together easier and quicker when you mix them.

    Step Two

    Mix the vegan butter and the vegan cream cheese in a large bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer. Beat until creamy and well combined.

    Step Three

    Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar and keep whisking until everything is well combined and you can’t see any sugar lumps.

    If you prefer a thicker frosting, add more powdered sugar. For a thinner texture, just add more cream cheese or some vegan milk. One spoon at a time and check consistency after each addition. 

    Step Four

    Refrigerate the frosting before using it. Cooling it down for two or three hours will be enough, though I recommend to prepare the frosting the night before and keep it in the fridge overnight.

    a piping bag filled with white frosting and a bowl with the remaining frosting

    What cake sizes this recipe can frost?

    I’ve made this frosting to cover the three cake sizes below:

    • 3-layer 6 inch round cake
    • 2-layer 8 or 9 inch round cake
    • 1-layer 9 x 13 sheet cake

    Creamy Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting

    RECIPE

    Easy vegan cream cheese frosting

    Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting

    NATALIA @ SIMPLE GREEN RECIPES
    This Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting is creamy, rich and healthy. Made in just 5 minuts, it’s the perfect frosting recipe for a delicious carrot or red velvet cake. And the best part, it only requires 3 basic ingredients!
    5 from 25 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Servings 3 cups

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup vegan butter
    • 1 cup vegan cream cheese
    • 4 cups powdered sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract optional

    Instructions
     

    • In a large bowl, mix the butter and the vegan cream cheese, both at room temperature. Beat on medium low until creamy and well combined. 
    • Reduce the mixer speed and add the powdered sugar. Beat on low speed for 1 minute, then increase the mixer speed and beat for 2 more minutes or until the frosting is smooth.
    • For a thicker frosting, add an extra ½ cup of powdered sugar. For a thinner consistency, add more cream cheese or some vegan milk.
    • Chill the frosting for two hours to firm before using it. You can use it straight away but if you leave it in the fridge for a while, it will thicken and will be firmer to decorate your cakes. 

    Additional Info

    Course Cakes
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    If you liked this recipe don’t forget to Pin and share with your friends!

    Best Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting.jpg

    Did you make this recipe? Tag @simplegreenrecipes on Instagram


    More vegan frostings from Simple Green Recipes?

    Vegan Chocolate Frosting

    Vegan Chocolate Ganache Frosting

    Vegan chocolate ganache

    Natalia's Signature
    « How to Make Homemade Applesauce
    Vegan Gluten-Free Carrot Cake »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Monica | Nourish and Fete

      March 20, 2023 at 8:25 pm

      5 stars
      This is for sure the most delicious and beautiful vegan cream cheese frosting I’ve ever seen. So fantastic to have this as a go-to when making cakes for vegan guests and friends!

      Reply
      • Natalia

        March 20, 2023 at 2:40 pm

        Hi, Monica! Thank you so much! I am beyond happy to read your positive review.

        Reply
    2. Amy Liu Dong

      March 19, 2023 at 1:50 pm

      5 stars
      Wow! This recipe looks so delicious, and I can’t wait to make this for my vegan friend. I am sure she will love this! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Natalia

        March 20, 2023 at 2:43 pm

        Hope you will love it as much as we do! Thanks for commenting, Amy!

        Reply
    3. Jamie

      March 18, 2023 at 1:19 pm

      5 stars
      Awesome! Such a great-looking and perfect frosting recipe! It looks so yummy and the creaminess makes it so enticing and tempting! The best part we can do this for 5 minutes with only 3 ingredients! Loved it!

      Reply
      • Natalia

        March 20, 2023 at 2:46 pm

        ENJOY! This is such an easy vegan frosting. My favorite to pair with red velvet and carrot cake.

        Reply
    4. Enriqueta E Lemoine

      March 17, 2023 at 3:18 pm

      5 stars
      I need to get all these vegan ingredients to try this frosting. Cream cheese frosting is my favorite, but I must reduce my dairy consumption, so your recipe came to me just in time!

      Reply
      • Natalia

        March 20, 2023 at 2:41 pm

        Hi, Tracey! Thank you so much for your sweet review, so happy you loved the frosting.

        Reply
    5. Jenny

      March 15, 2023 at 3:52 am

      5 stars
      The cream cheese frosting came out great! Your recipe is easy and fuss-free; I baked a vegan carrot cake and used your frosting, and it was delicious. Thanks so much; we will definitely make it again.

      Reply
      • Natalia

        March 16, 2023 at 2:37 pm

        Hi Jenny, I’m so glad you liked the frosting! Thank you for sharing your experience. It means the world to me!

        Reply
    6. Tristin

      March 13, 2023 at 8:41 pm

      5 stars
      This vegan cream cheese frosting was such a great substitute for regular frosting. It came out creamy and delicious!

      Reply
      • Natalia

        March 15, 2023 at 2:39 pm

        Hi Tristin, thanks so much for coming back to comment!

        Reply
    7. Elizabeth

      March 12, 2023 at 10:26 am

      5 stars
      I just found some vegan cream cheese at the store, so super excited to give this frosting recipe a try! Thanks for the share!

      Reply
      • Natalia

        March 20, 2023 at 2:48 pm

        I hope you have the chance to try it, Elizabeth. It’s a delicious frosting.

        Reply
    8. Ann

      March 12, 2023 at 9:36 am

      5 stars
      Cream cheese frosting is one of my favorite frostings to make and use. I have not tried a vegan cream cheese frosting before, so excited to give it a try!

      Reply
      • Natalia

        March 20, 2023 at 2:50 pm

        I’m so glad are giving it a try! Thanks for commenting.

        Reply
    9. Cathleen

      March 11, 2023 at 8:51 pm

      5 stars
      I can’t believe I have never tried making vegan cream cheese frosting before, but this is perfect! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe 🙂

      Reply
      • Natalia

        March 20, 2023 at 2:54 pm

        You’re welcome, Cathleen! I’m happy you like the frosting. Thanks for the comment!


        Reply
    10. Maddy

      March 10, 2023 at 2:09 pm

      5 stars
      Perfect recipe for anyone who doubts the vegan version of something is just as good, if not better, than the traditional one. The frosting was delicious- just the right amount of sweetness!

      Reply
      • Natalia

        March 20, 2023 at 2:57 pm

        Thank you for your feedback, and for using my recipe! I love creating them! I’m so glad you loved the frosting!

        Reply
    11. Kristina

      March 10, 2023 at 10:54 am

      5 stars
      This is a great frosting. I didn’t realize powdered sugar was vegan, so thank you for that! I used this on carrot cake muffins and they turned out wonderful.

      Reply
      • Natalia

        March 20, 2023 at 3:01 pm

        Kristina, I’m super glad to hear it turned out great! Thank you for letting me know.

        Reply
    12. Mikayla

      March 09, 2023 at 9:37 pm

      5 stars
      Super simple and creamy cream cheese frosting, you really do not know it is vegan unless you read the ingredients packaging. Great recipe!

      Reply
      • Natalia

        March 20, 2023 at 3:06 pm

        Hi Mikayla, I do agree, it’s simple and easy. I’m glad you like it!

        Reply
    13. Anna

      March 08, 2023 at 11:31 am

      5 stars
      This frosting is just perfect! I read your tip about making it a day before and storing in the fridge overnight, and it worked great! Delicious, not too heavy and not too sweet!

      Reply
      • Natalia

        March 20, 2023 at 3:25 pm

        Thanks for the sweet comment, Anna. I’m thrilled to hear you liked my cream cheese frosting! Enjoy!

        Reply
    14. Dani

      March 01, 2023 at 9:22 am

      5 stars
      I have tried several vegan cream cheese frosting recipes and somehow they always came out runny. Your vegan cream cheese recipe is perfect! I served it with your vegan carrot cake and I will make it again for easter for sure.

      Reply
      • Natalia

        March 03, 2023 at 2:53 pm

        Thank you so much, Dani! I’m super excited to hear that you loved my cream cheese frosting. 

        Reply
    5 from 25 votes (11 ratings without comment)

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