Dairy-Free Cream Cheese Frosting

The best dairy-free cream cheese frosting really does exist and I’m going to teach you how to make it! With dairy allergies on the rise, it’s always a great idea to have a great dairy-free cream cheese frosting recipe on hand.

There are so many desserts that require a cream cheese frosting like cinnamon rolls, red velvet cakes, gingerbread, and let’s not forget carrot cake. Making a carrot cake without cream cheese frosting is like taking a bath without soap, and we know that’s just not happening! 

The flavor in cream cheese frosting is unique all in itself and is deeply missed when not present with certain desserts. Although, achieving a dairy-free cream cheese frosting isn’t the easiest task. In fact. I’ve messed up several batches before finally getting it right. The frosting has to have great flavor, a good texture, and enough substance to hold its shape. Be sure to read all the tips below to keep from making any of the same mistakes I made when creating a dairy-free cream cheese frosting. 

This recipe is smooth, creamy, delicious, and everything that you ever loved in regular cream cheese frosting. 

This non-dairy cream cheese frosting is much more sensitive than your average frosting and 2 key points to remember are using the right brand of cream cheese and never letting the cream cheese get too warm before mixing (Room temperature is the goal).

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Storage
• Equipment
• Top Tips
• FAQ
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

Ingredients

Dairy-free cream cheese: The brand of cream cheese you use is very important for your frosting to come out correctly. I highly recommend using a firm, store-bought dairy-free cream cheese, such as Kite Hill. Kite Hill is the only brand, I have been able to achieve a good cream cheese frosting with. Others can be too soft causing the frosting to be very wet-like. 

Dairy-free butter: Make sure to use quality dairy-free butter, like country crock or earth balance. Also, be certain that you enjoy the flavor of the butter being used.

Vanilla extract: Always use a quality vanilla extract when making frosting. My favorite is Singing Dog Vanilla.

Powdered sugar: Powder sugar is what will lend the texture and flavor to our dairy-free cream cheese frosting. 

Instructions

• First, add butter and cream cheese to a mixer with the paddle attachment and mix until smooth.
• Next, add in the powdered sugar 2 cups at a time. After each addition, begin mixing on low until the powder is slightly combined, then mix on medium until well combined. (About 1 minute) 
• Once all powdered sugar has been combined, add vanilla, and mix again until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix. 
• The end result should be a thick and creamy frosting. If your frosting is not thick and creamy, it will slide around on your desserts or roll off. Refer back to the tips sections on how to fix this. 

This dairy-free cream cheese frosting is perfect for cakes, cupcakes, and more.

Also: for the full recipe for these carrot cake cupcakes on this page, refer to my carrot cake recipe.

Storage

You can store any leftover dairy-free cream cheese frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. When you are ready to use the cream cheese frosting, remove it from the refrigerator, stir well with a rubber spatula, and place it into your piping bag. 

Equipment

Mixer: I just love my Kitchen Aid mixer!

Top Tips

When it comes to dairy-free products, not all brands are created equal. I have tried this recipe with other brands and did not get good results. For this recipe, I use Kite Hill dairy-free cream cheese and country crock avocado oil dairy-free butter. I can’t guarantee the same results with any other brands. 

FAQ

What dairy-free butter is best for dairy-free cream cheese frosting?

You can use any brand of dairy-free butter here, however, be certain to use the stick kind rather than the tub. The dairy-free butter sticks tend to lend a better consistency when making frosting. In this recipe, I use the country crock avocado oil sticks. After several attempts, this particular dairy-free butter tends to work best in my opinion.

What happens if my frosting is runny?

If your cream cheese frosting comes out runny and you have used the brands I mentioned, one of two things happened. The frosting was whipped for too long, or the ingredients got too hot before using them. To thicken your frosting, try placing it in the fridge for 15 minutes to see if it hardens. If this does not work, try adding more powdered sugar, or a small amount of coconut flour.

Is this recipe nut free?

Yes, this cream cheese frosting recipe is nut free.

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📖 Recipe