Skip to main content

Vegan Buttercream

Making a frosting without butter and powdered sugar is a bit of a feat; this vegan “buttercream” is worth the extra effort. If the texture is too soft, chill the frosting in the refrigerator for anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes to firm up.

Cooks' Note

Sweetness: High

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 1 3/4 cups

Ingredients

1/2 cup Spectrum all-vegetable shortening
1/2 cup Earth Balance Natural Buttery Spread (soy free)
Pinch of sea salt
3/4 cup agave nectar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a large bowl, blend together the shortening and buttery spread with a handheld mixer until creamy. Mix in the salt, agave nectar, and vanilla extract, whipping until smooth.

    Step 2

    Refrigerate the frosting for 2 hours, or until firm. Remove the frosting from the refrigerator. If the frosting is too stiff to spread, place the bowl over a pan of warm water very briefly and whip the frosting until it has the desired consistency. Frost your cupcakes immediately, then place the frosted cupcakes in the refrigerator to keep the consistency of the frosting firm until serving.

    Step 3

    You can also store the buttercream in a glass Mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you remove it from the refrigerator, follow the above instructions. If the frosting separates, simply whip it together with a handheld mixer until it is creamy again.

Reprinted with permission from Gluten-Free Cupcakes: 50 Irresistible Recipes Made with Almond and Coconut Flour. Copyright © 2011 by Elana Amsterdam, Celestial Arts, an imprint of Ten Speed Press, a division of the Crown Publishing Group, Berkeley, CA. Photo Credit: Annabelle Breakey. ELANA AMSTERDAM is the popular food blogger of Elana's Pantry, where she has written about gluten-free cooking since 2006, and is also the author of The Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook. When she and her son were both diagnosed with celiac disease, she was inspired to develop gluten-free recipes that everyone can enjoy. Her writing has appeared in publications including the Denver Post, Shape Magazine, the Boulder Daily Camera, Delicious Living, Delight Magazine, and Elephant. Elana lives with her family in Boulder, Colorado, and is available for interviews. Visit www.elanaspantry.com.
Read More
Grab your Easter basket and hop in—you’ll want to collect each and every one of these fun and easy Easter recipes.
A warmly spiced Ashkenazi charoset, perfect for your Passover seder—or spooned over yogurt the next morning.
Like airy lemon chiffon cake and a Cadbury egg–inspired tart.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Like lemony risotto and tandoori-style cauliflower.
Think a Hugo spritz, a gin basil smash, and plenty more patio-ready pours.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.