Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting – Vegan!

Whip up this ultimate vegan cream cheese buttercream frosting that’s perfect for cakes, cupcakes, and more! This creamy, fluffy, and delicious frosting is easy and quick to make and only requires 3 ingredients, ready in 10 mins.

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Get ready to up your frosting game with this vegan cream cheese buttercream frosting! It’s so luscious and creamy that you’ll want to spread it on everything, or even eat it by the spoonful. Imagine a bite of the dreamiest cheesecake, but vegan!

To be honest with you, I wasn’t a fan of traditional cheesecake before I switched to a vegan lifestyle. Something about cream cheese just didn’t do it for me. But vegan cream cheese, that’s been a game-changer! Now, I can’t get enough of it. This cream cheese buttercream frosting pairs like a dream with my cake recipes—think ginger cake, coconut cake, the zesty lemon blueberry loaf cake, and those cute funfetti cupcakes. It’s even divine on bread recipes like my 5-ingredient banana bread!

Main ingredients and substitutions

With just three key ingredients, this delicious frosting recipe will be ready to use! We’re talking vegan cream cheese for that tangy goodness, and other vegan staples you probably already have in your kitchen cupboard. Let’s start assembling them!

*Use room temperature ingredients unless otherwise instructed.

Vegan Cream Cheese: The star of this frosting recipe! I used Violife cream cheese but feel free to use any other vegan cream cheese that you like.

Vegan Butter: Vegan butter is what gives the frosting its rich and dreamy creaminess. I used one from Naturli. Another vegan butter that I like is Earth Balance, they are great too!

Icing Sugar: If you are looking for a sugar-free option, use powdered stevia or monk fruit sugar instead of icing sugar, although the texture may vary.

Note: Substitution may change the final taste and texture of this recipe.

*I use bone char-free sugars for all of my recipes. I cover the topic in my article Vegan Baking 101. Go to the “Is sugar vegan?” section to learn more!

Recommended equipment for this recipe

Electric Mixer: For that oh-so-perfect fluffy texture, you can’t beat an electric mixer. I used my stand mixer with a balloon attachment. You can also use a mixing bowl with a handheld mixer as well.

Mixing Bowls: Prepare one large mixing bowl for beating the buttercream frosting.

Spatula: Because we don’t want to waste even a tiny bit of this deliciousness! Silicone spatula does a great job of scraping the side of a mixing bowl.

*The ingredient list and measurement for this recipe can be found in the recipe card at the bottom.

How to make cream cheese buttercream frosting

Step 1: Prep the tools and ingredients

Before you even think about ingredients, make sure all your equipment is clean and completely dry. Any moisture can affect the texture of your frosting. Make sure to bring all ingredients to room temperature as well for a seamless whipping!

Step 2: Beat the butter and cream cheese

In your large mixing bowl, beat the vegan cream cheese and vegan butter together using your stand mixer or electric mixer for about 1-2 mins. It should look smooth and slightly paler in colour.

Step 3:Add icing sugar

Once the butter and cream cheese are well combined, gradually add icing sugar one cup at a time, continuing to mix the frosting.

Step 4: Whip to perfection!

Once you’ve incorporated all the icing sugar, keep whipping until you achieve a luxuriously rich and fluffy texture. And voila! You’ve just made scrumptious vegan cream cheese buttercream frosting, all set to elevate your cakes and cupcakes to the next level.

Serving tips and ideas

• A classic chocolate or vanilla cupcake would love to be dressed in this creamy frosting. The pairs can never go wrong!
• Remember I said this frosting tastes like cheesecake? Yep, it’s so good you could even use it as a dip for strawberries or apple slices! Who wouldn’t love a yummy and healthy snack combo?

Expert tips and tricks

Room temperature ingredient is key

For a seamlessly smooth frosting, make sure your vegan cream cheese and vegan butter have been left out to reach room temperature before you start making this recipe. If you use cold butter and cream cheese, they won’t be able to mix well and it leaves lumps in the buttercream.

Sift that sugar

Never underestimate the power of sifting. It can be the crucial difference between a smooth frosting and a lumpy one! Sift your icing sugar before adding to achieve the best result.

Add icing sugar gradually

Patience is a virtue, especially when making buttercream frosting It’s tempting to pour all the icing sugar into the bowl at once to make the process faster, but that can end up in an uneven texture in the frosting. Add the icing sugar one cup at a time to ensure it incorporates well without making the frosting too thick or thin.

Use a digital scale to weigh ingredients

Always use a digital scale rather than measuring cups when you are baking. It’s so much more accurate and measuring correctly is very important to achieve the best result.

Recipe variations

• Citracy notes always pair well with cream cheese! Add a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest for a tangy twist.
• Add 1-2 tablespoons of dried strawberry for a delightful pink colour and juicy flavour.

How to store

• Room Temperature: Do not store at room temperature. 

• In the Fridge: Place the cream cheese frosting in an airtight container, and you can store this frosting in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. The frosting will harden in the fridge so let it sit at room temperature for a little until it becomes slightly softer before using.

• In the Freezer: Believe it or not, you can freeze this frosting as well! Use a freezer-friendly airtight container to store in the freezer. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before using for cakes and cupcakes!

*Although you can store this recipe in the fridge or freezer, it’s always best to consume it fresh and as soon as possible.

Q and A

My frosting is thin and runny! What did I do wrong?

If your frosting is thin or runny, it’s likely that the vegan cream cheese or vegan butter was too soft when you started, or the quality of the vegan cream cheese was poor.

If you think you left the butter and cream cheese too long at room temperature, simply place the buttercream frosting in the fridge for 1-2 hours and see if it helps.

If that doesn’t help, the vegan cream cheese you used may not have been the best quality. Cheap cream cheese contains more water, which can make the frosting runny. I used Violife cream cheese and it works perfectly! Maybe try buying a high-quality vegan cream cheese.

Can I colour this frosting?

Sure, why not go colourful when you can eh? Vegan food colouring is available, and a few drops can transform your frosting into a vibrant masterpiece.

Want to master the basics of vegan baking?
Check out Vegan Baking 101 – the beginner’s guide to vegan baking for you to become an excellent vegan baker and familiar with the basics of vegan baking, ingredients, and techniques with useful tips!

You will LOVE this cream cheese buttercream frosting because it is:

• rich and creamy
• delicious
• easy, simple, and quick to make
• perfect for any baked goods

Want more recipes like this?

Try my other delicious frosting and cake recipes you might enjoy!

• Caramel buttercream frosting
• Coconut buttercream frosting
• Vanilla buttercream frosting

Visit the recipe page for more delicious recipes!

Please leave a comment and rate this recipe with 5 stars in the comment section below if you like the recipe! Let me know and tag me @thechestnutbakery on Instagram too. Thank you for making my recipe, friends!

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