• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Eating With Food Allergies
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Start here
  • Recipes
  • Nutrition
  • Substitutes
  • Subscribe
  • Work with Me
  • Schedule a free call
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Start here
    • Recipes
    • Nutrition
    • Substitutes
    • Subscribe
    • Work with Me
    • Schedule a free call
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Allergy Friendly Dessert Recipes

    Dairy Free Buttercream Frosting

    Published: Jun 16, 2020 · Updated: Nov 13, 2020 by Kristi Winkels · This post may contain affiliate links · 13 Comments

    This dairy free frosting is like traditional buttercream frosting but without the top 8 allergens. Plus, it is really easy to make and spreads easily on cakes, cookies, and bars!

    Dairy Free Buttercream Frosting

    Jump to:
    • Frosting ingredients
    • How to make it
    • Related recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Cookies, bars, cake, and other desserts are good. But they're even better spread with buttery, sweet frosting!

    Just because you can't have dairy doesn't mean you can't have frosting just like buttercream.

    Frosting ingredients


    To make buttercream frosting dairy free, you'll need to make two swaps in a traditional recipe:

    Dairy free margarine instead of butter

    I like to use Earth Balance buttery spread which comes in both dairy free and dairy free/soy free varieties.

    Dairy free milk

    You can use any milk substitute that you like. I tend to use soy milk but have also made this rice milk which works really well, too. Just make sure it is safe for you!

    How to make it

    First, you start with softened dairy free margarine. It works best to let the margarine soften at room temperature for a while. Whenever I try to soften in the microwave, it inevitably melts rather than softens which will make this frosting runny. Patience is key here! If you have a "soften butter" setting on your microwave, that might work fine.

    Dairy Free Buttercream Frosting

    The margarine needs to be whipped so it is smooth and without lumps. I love using my Kitchenaid stand mixer for this job!

    Next, you sift in about half of the powdered sugar. This prevents lumps in your frosting. I don't own an actual sifter so I use my mesh strainer. It is a little big so I have to remove the beater from my mixer but it works!

    Dairy Free Buttercream Frosting

    Begin mixing on low speed until the powdered sugar is mixed into the margarine. Scrape the sides of the bowl and mix some more.

    Next, you add dairy free milk and the vanilla. In this recipe, I use ¼ cup of milk and this creates a good consistency for frosting cakes and cookies. If you want an even stiffer frosting for a cupcake, you can reduce the amount of milk. Start with 2 tablespoons. You can always add more at the end if it's too thick.

    Finally, you mix in the remaining powdered sugar, sifting as you did before.

    If you want chocolate frosting, reduce the amount of powdered sugar by ¾ cup and replace it with cocoa powder.

    This recipe will frost two 8-inch cakes, a 9x13 sheet cake, or 24 cupcakes. It also works really well on sugar cookies and pumpkin cookies.

    Related recipes

    • Gluten Free Pumpkin Cookies
    • Gluten Free Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
    • Chocolate Gluten Free Cupcakes {Dairy and Egg Free!}
    • Allergy Friendly Pumpkin Bars

    📖 Recipe

    Dairy free butter cream frosting on top of a cupcake

    Dairy Free Buttercream Frosting

    Kristi Winkels
    This is a simple frosting that works well on cake , cookies and bars and is free of the top 8 allergens.
    5 from 9 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Calories 150 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • ¾ cup ”safe” margarine, softened such as Earth Balance Buttery Spread
    • 5 cups sifted powdered sugar
    • ¼ cup ”safe” milk such as rice, soy, or coconut
    • 1-½ teaspoons vanilla extract

    Instructions
     

    • In a mixing bowl, beat the margarine until it is smooth and creamy. Gradually add 2 cups of the powdered sugar, scraping the sides of the bowl periodically. Add the milk and vanilla and beat well.
    • Gradually add the remaining powdered sugar. Add a small amount of additional milk if needed to get to the right spreading consistency.
      This will frost 24 cupcakes or two 8 inch layers.
    • Variation: to make chocolate frosting, reduce the powdered sugar to 4 ¼ cups and add ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder.

    Notes

    Nutrition facts for 2 tablespoons: Calories: 150, Fat: 5.5 grams, saturated fat 1.5 grams, cholesterol: 0 grams, sodium: 54 mg, total carbohydrates: 25 grams, fiber: 0 grams, sugars: 25 grams, Protein: 0 grams

    Nutrition

    Calories: 150kcal
    Keyword dairy free, egg free, gluten free, peanut free, soy free, tree nut free, wheat free
    Tried this recipe?Please share how it was!

    Love this recipe?

    Please leave a rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and share your comments below!

    Stay in touch on social media! You can find me @ Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. I love getting your feedback so please tag me if you try a recipe!

    « Allergy Friendly Instant Pot Pasta
    Hobo Dinner Hamburger Foil Packets »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Betsy says

      October 04, 2020 at 6:53 am

      This frosting spreads so well and tastes delicious!5 stars

      Reply
    2. Ann says

      September 19, 2021 at 6:54 am

      This frosting is really easy to make! My margarine was very soft so the frosting was not as stiff as I wanted it to be for cupcakes. I just put it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes let it firm up and it was great!5 stars

      Reply
      • Kristi Winkels, RDN, LD says

        September 19, 2021 at 6:55 am

        Glad you liked it!

        Reply
    3. Aly says

      December 17, 2021 at 9:12 pm

      I'm going to try this recipe for cupcakes. I was wondering if the frosting will melt if left over the cupcakes at room temperature?
      Thank you!5 stars

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        December 18, 2021 at 12:35 pm

        Hi Aly,
        This frosting will be fine at room temperature. If the frosted cupcakes are in the sun or a warmer room, it might get a little soft but doesn't melt. Enjoy!

        Reply
    4. nikki says

      February 25, 2022 at 3:18 pm

      Is this frosting ok for a kid with a tree nut allergy?

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        February 25, 2022 at 3:53 pm

        Hi Nikki,
        Yes, this recipe is tree nut free! The only ingredient I use in any of my recipes that is classified as a tree nut is coconut. If you can have coconut, you can have all of the recipes here! Just be sure to read ingredient lists carefully to make sure there isn't any cross-contact with tree nuts in the ingredients you use. Let me know if you have any other questions!

        Reply
    5. Sherri says

      March 05, 2022 at 5:23 pm

      Excellent recipe. It is the same consistency as regular butter cream frosting and it tastes great. Thanks for sharing your recipe.5 stars

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        March 05, 2022 at 7:57 pm

        Thanks for your comment and rating, Sherri! I'm glad you liked it!

        Reply
    6. Belynda says

      April 10, 2022 at 5:00 pm

      I am trying to make this so that my daughter can have some for easter on a cake that I am altering to the hilt. She found out last year that she is gluten, dairy and egg sensitive .... SOooo I am trying to come up with a dessert she can eat. I made a pastor cake the other day and everyone here loved it. I will try to use some other flour and maybe applesauce instead of eggs. For the buttercream recipe you mention "safe" margarine. Is that regular margarine? I don't generally use margarine so this will be an adjustment.
      Bonus, with her adjusting her foods she 1. has a whole lot less stomach issues and 2. has lost #100 since February last year.

      Reply
      • Kristi Winkels says

        April 10, 2022 at 5:19 pm

        Hi Belynda,
        Great question! "Safe" means free from the allergens you need to avoid. So, in your case, it sounds like your daughter needs a dairy free margarine. I would recommend Earth Balance Buttery Spread. It works well as a butter substitute and it is the brand I use when I make this recipe. I hope that helps and that your cake is amazing! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Vanessa says

      May 04, 2022 at 6:20 am

      Can you ad food colouring to this recipe ? Wanting to make it for my litte ones first birthday .. Also would you have a dairy free nut free vanilla cake recipe?
      Thanks x

      Reply
      • Kristi Winkels says

        May 04, 2022 at 6:32 am

        Hi Vanessa,
        Yes, you can add food coloring! If you are only using a few drops or a gel-type food coloring, you don't need to alter the recipe at all - just add the coloring at the end. If you are using more than just a few drops, I would recommend starting with 3 tablespoons of dairy-free milk, add the food coloring, and then add the remaining milk gradually until it is to the desired consistency. Unfortunately, I don't have a white cake recipe (yet!). If you like chocolate, I do have a chocolate cake recipe that never fails! Happy birthday to your little one!!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Kristi! I'm a Registered Dietitian and food allergy mom with a mission to help you eat well with food allergies!

    More about me →

    logo
    Health Ads by

    Latest posts

    • Nut Free Protein Bars
    • Dairy Free Chocolate Chip Cookies {Allergy Friendly!}
    • Vegan Spritz Cookies {Gluten Free & Allergy Friendly}
    • Oat Milk Pancakes {Allergy Friendly!}

    Summer favorites

    • Allergy Friendly No Bake Snack Bites
    • Allergy Free Ice Cream (Top 8 Free!)
    • Dairy Free Strawberry Sorbet
    • Fruit Pizza (Gluten, Dairy, and Egg Free!)

    Popular

    • Dairy Free Buttercream Frosting
    • Dairy and Gluten Free Cheesy Potatoes {Allergy Friendly!}
    • Easy Eggless Meatloaf {Instant Pot or Oven}
    • Easy Inside Out Egg Rolls {Allergy Friendly}
    logo
    Health Ads by
    logo
    Health Ads by

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • About Kristi
    • Privacy Policy
    • Ad Disclosure
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Get in Touch

    • Contact
    • Work with me

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Eating With Food Allergies

    Cookies aren't just for eating
    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    Cookie SettingsAccept
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT