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Vegan Chocolate Buttercream Recipe

March 22, 2021 · In: Frosting, Recipes, Vegan

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I am a chocolate lover to the core, so when I decided to create a vegan version of my favorite chocolate buttercream recipe, I was extra careful to make sure that not an ounce of flavor was sacrificed in the process. Rest assured, this Vegan Chocolate Buttercream is every bit as delicious as the real deal – it’s the kind of buttercream that I have to hide from myself so I don’t end up eating spoonful after spoonful! Whether you enjoy it straight out of the bowl or pair it with a cake (this Vegan Chocolate Cake recipe is it’s soul mate), it’s a frosting that’s sure to satisfy. 

vegan chocolate buttercream recipe by sugar and sparrow

This Vegan Chocolate Buttercream recipe could not be easier to make, yet the results are outstanding – super silky, ultra decadent, and packed with chocolatey flavor goodness. It’s perfect for filling and frosting cakes, piping onto cupcakes, and pairing with anything that would be made better with chocolate buttercream. All it takes is five simple ingredients and about ten minutes of your time. 

vegan chocolate buttercream recipe

It all starts with a good quality vegan butter. I love Earth Balance sticks for this recipe, but you can use whatever brand that takes your fancy. Just be sure that you like the flavor of the vegan butter you’re using, as it will end up flavoring the buttercream. Another ingredient that will impact the overall flavor of this Vegan Chocolate Buttercream is the non-dairy milk you choose. I absolutely love this recipe with unsweetened coconut milk and soy milk the most, but any non-dairy milk will do. 

dairy free chocolate buttercream recipe
best vegan sprinkles

This Vegan Chocolate Buttercream goes with anything that pairs well with chocolate, but my all-time favorite pairing is with this Vegan Chocolate Cake recipe. It is irresistible for a chocolate lover, vegan or not. Whatever you’re making this Vegan Chocolate Buttercream for, just beware – you’re gonna want to eat the extra by the spoonful. Consider yourself warned!

vegan chocolate buttercream recipe

Vegan Chocolate Buttercream

5 from 1 vote
A silky smooth, decadent chocolate buttercream that's dairy-free and vegan. The perfect addition to cake, cupcakes, and anything that pairs well with chocolate buttercream.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time:10 mins
Servings: 3 Cups

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup (227g) vegan butter, softened to room temperature I use Earth Balance sticks
  • 3 1/2 Cups (420g) powdered sugar
  • 1/2 Cup (42g) natural unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/3 Cup (80ml) unsweetened non-dairy milk, room temperature
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  • With a hand mixer or paddle attachment on your stand mixer, cream the vegan butter on medium-high until it’s creamy and light in color. About 5 minutes. 
  • Add the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, unsweetened non-dairy milk, and vanilla extract. Mix on medium-low for a minute or two, scraping down the bowl and paddle as needed, until fully combined and silky smooth.

Notes

Make Ahead Tips: This buttercream can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. When you’re ready to use it, bring it back to room temperature and re-whip in your stand mixer to bring back to smooth buttercream consistency. 
Dairy-Free Milk Suggestions: My favorites to use with this recipe are unsweetened coconut milk and unsweetened soy milk. You are free to use any dairy-free milk you’d like, but make sure you like the taste of whatever milk option you choose, as it will end up flavoring the buttercream. 
Yield: This buttercream makes enough to:
  • Frost 12-15 cupcakes with a piping bag
  • Fill and crumb coat a three-layer 6-inch cake or two-layer 8-inch cake. To have enough for frosting and decorating as well, double the recipe. 

Did you make this Vegan Chocolate Buttercream? I want to know what you think and how you used it! Let me know in the comments below and feel free to tag @sugarandsparrowco in your Instagram photos to show me. I love seeing what you create!

By: Whitney · In: Frosting, Recipes, Vegan · Tagged: buttercream recipes, dairy free, dairy free chocolate buttercream, dairy free recipes, frosting recipes, non dairy, non dairy chocolate buttercream, vegan, vegan chocolate buttercream, vegan chocolate frosting, vegan recipes

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Comments

  1. Naomi says

    May 16, 2021 at 9:28 am

    Do you know if the earth balance spread in the tub is different from the sticks? I can’t seem to find the earth balance sticks…

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      May 17, 2021 at 7:33 pm

      Hi Naomi! After reading the ingredients on both I don’t think there’s a huge difference. You could use the spread with this recipe and be just fine.

      Reply
  2. Emmett says

    June 1, 2021 at 8:56 am

    Howdy again! Would a single batch be enough for 24 cupcakes or should I make 2 batches of this frosting? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      June 2, 2021 at 10:47 am

      I would double the recipe for 24 cupcakes

      Reply
  3. Julie says

    December 30, 2021 at 10:40 am

    Is this firm enough for underneath fondant to give sharp corners please?

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      December 30, 2021 at 10:51 am

      It’s a crusting buttercream so it should totally work under fondant!

      Reply
  4. Amanda says

    July 18, 2022 at 8:15 am

    5 stars
    This frosting is absolute divine! My entire family loved it plain and on the cake I made. I honestly love it better than all the dairy frostings I’ve had in the past. This is now our go-to chocolate frosting. Thank you so much for sharing it!

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      July 25, 2022 at 12:24 pm

      Yay, Amanda! I’m so happy this recipe was a hit!

      Reply
  5. Blanca says

    April 3, 2023 at 11:47 am

    Hi Whitney!

    I can’t find earth balance butter sticks where I live 🙁 I did find other vegan butter though! Would you recommend adding salt to the recipe if they’re unsalted and if so how much?

    Thank you in advance!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      April 4, 2023 at 9:36 pm

      Hi Blanca! You can use any vegan butter and if it’s unsalted that’s great! I would wait till the end of the recipe to do a quick taste test and see if it needs a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness. Hope that helps!

      Reply

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