How to make frosting without butter?

Bakers, take heart! You can create great frosting without using butter. And the good news is that there are several methods to make it.

Flavor and texture are important aspects of excellent frosting. Butter has traditionally provided both of these in icing. But in this article, we’ll share quite a few different methods that will give you delicious and reliable results every time – no butter needed!

How To Make Icing Without Butter

Below you will find a variety of homemade icing recipes that do not use butter. You’ll also discover things to use in place of butter.

The nice thing is that each simple recipe and replacement produces a somewhat different end result. In the list below, you’ll find some new recipes and ideas no matter what type of baked goods you’re making.

1. Cream Cheese Frosting

In frostings, cream cheese is an excellent alternative for butter. It’s one of the most popular alternatives because it creates a smooth, creamy consistency.

It also has a tangy undertone that helps to balance off the richness of many baked items, such as warm cinnamon buns, red velvet cupcakes, or your favorite cookies.

When using cream cheese as a butter substitute, it should be softened to room temperature first. There are also some brands that create whipped cream cheeses that can give you a fluffy frosting with a lighter appearance and texture.

Cream cheese is often sold in blocks. Similar to butter, the wrapper has measuring marks which makes it a convenient option for using in recipes.

How To Make Cream Cheese Icing Without Butter

Here’s a simple frosting recipe that uses no butter and just 5 ingredients.

• 8 ounces cream cheese, full fat
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup milk or heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (Vanilla bean paste or almond extract can also be used)
• Pinch of salt

1. Cream cheese, in a large mixing basin, beat with a paddle attachment in a stand mixer or electric mixer until creamy.
2. Add a little amount of powdered sugar at a time, mixing after each addition.
3. Add a little milk or cream until the desired consistency is reached.
4. Add vanilla and a pinch of salt. Combine well.
5. Save any remaining frosting in an airtight jar in the refrigerator.

2. Powdered Sugar Glaze

A simple powdered sugar glaze is an easy method to make a butter-free frosting. The glaze is perfect for drizzling or pouring over your favorite baked goods like donuts or muffins.

Powdered Sugar Glaze Recipe

• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
• 2-4 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla essence. Slowly add small amounts of milk and stir until the glaze is smooth and you’ve reached your desired consistency.

3. Whipped Cream Frosting

Whipped cream frosting is light, creamy, and delectably wonderful. It’s the perfect frosting for a delicate dessert like an angel food cake.

It’s worth noting that this is a fragile, soft icing that won’t hold up well at hot temperatures.

Related Reading: Which Is Better for You: Cold Whip or Whipped Cream?

Angel Food Cake Whipped Cream Frosting Recipe

• 1 pint heavy whipping cream
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

In a large mixing bowl, add the heavy cream, brown sugar and vanilla. Beat at high speed for 3-4 minutes, or until firm peaks form.

4. Chocolate Frosting

If you’re making something like chocolate cupcakes, you may want a chocolate buttercream, but without the butter. This simple recipe with margarine and chocolate powder will suffice.

Creamy Chocolate Frosting

• ¼ cup margarine, melted
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ⅓ cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract or paste
• 3 ½ cups powdered sugar

In a large mixing bowl, add the margarine and cocoa powder. Add in milk and vanilla extract, then mix until smooth. Slowly add the powdered sugar, mixing thoroughly after each addition. If the frosting is too thick, add a teaspoon of liquid at a time until the appropriate consistency is reached.

5. Margarine

In icing, margarine is a frequent alternative for butter. Your frosting will lack the rich taste and smoothness that butter offers. But when considering other substitutes, margarine is a really close second to homemade buttercream icing.

When using margarine instead of butter, use a one-to-one substitution. For example, if the recipe calls for one cup of butter you could substitute 1 cup of margarine.

6. Butter Flavored Shortening

Butter flavored shortening is another option for icing. If you want, you may use unflavored shortening.

Both have a butter-like look, enabling you to get a smooth, creamy finish comparable to a traditional buttercream recipe. The butter-flavored shortening is yellower in color and has a deeper flavor. The hue of unflavored vegetable shortening is more pure white.

Shortening is available in huge cans. But it is also conveniently available in sticks that make it easy to measure for recipes.

Shortening may be used in place of butter in a one-to-one substitution.

7. Coconut Oil

In frosting, coconut oil may be used in place of butter. When refrigerated or kept below room temperature, coconut oil solidifies and has an appearance that is similar to butter or shortening.

The coconut taste of coconut oil will show through in your icing. Some people find the flavor to be pleasant, while others might find this a drawback of using the oil as a butter substitute.

It’s also important to remember that coconut oil is sensitive to heat, so your frosting will be more prone to melting in warmer temperatures. Store it in a cool location until ready to serve.

Coconut oil may be used in place of butter at a 1:1 ratio.

8. Vegan Butter

If you’re seeking for vegan frosting, the good news is that there are many different brands and varieties of vegan butter available at your local grocery store. These kinds of butter contain no animal products and can be used in place of real butter for a vegan-friendly frosting.

Use a vegan butter with a reasonably solid texture for the best results. This will help ensure your vegan buttercream frosting has a thicker consistency that is creamy and spreadable, but not too soft.

Vegan butter may be substituted for conventional butter in a one-to-one ratio.

What can I use instead of butter in icing?

 Margarine, butter-flavored shortening, coconut oil, vegan butter, cream cheese, heavy cream and whipped cream are all suitable substitutes for butter in frosting recipes. Each will produce a distinctive form of frosting with a distinct taste.

Can you substitute coconut oil for butter in buttercream frosting?

Yes, coconut oil may be used in place of butter in frosting at a 1:1 ratio. Nevertheless, since coconut oil melts at room temperature, your frosting may need to be refrigerated. It will also give the icing a coconut taste.

Can I use olive oil instead of butter for frosting?

Although olive oil may be used in place of butter in sauces and marinades, it is not the greatest option. If you use olive oil instead of butter, the finished product will be more like a glaze than a thick, spreadable frosting. The olive oil may also be tasted in the frosting.

Can you use vegetable oil spread instead of butter for frosting?

Vegetable oil spread can technically be used as a substitute for butter in the frosting, but it’s not the best option. Your frosting will lack the velvety smoothness of butter.

 Can I use oil instead of butter in frosting?

Oil can work as a substitute for butter in most recipes, but it’s not recommended for icing. You’ll get greater results if you use solid coconut oil.

Handmade butter frostings are fantastic, but there are many more methods to create delicious and creamy icings without it. If you’re looking for an alternative, these eight different ways to make icing without butter should be just what you need.

There’s likely to be an icing recipe here for you, from basic glazes to luscious chocolate frosting. So get baking and impress your friends and family with some amazing cakes and cupcakes topped with these classic recipes for yummy frosting (minus the butter of course!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese, full fat
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup milk or heavy cream
• 1 tbs vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Cream cheese, in a large mixing basin, beat with a paddle attachment in a stand mixer or electric mixer until creamy.
2. Add a little amount of powdered sugar at a time, mixing after each addition.
3. Add a little milk or cream until the desired consistency is reached.
4. Add vanilla and a pinch of salt. Combine well.
5. Save any remaining frosting in an airtight jar in the refrigerator.

Related Questions

• What can I use instead of margarine in frosting?

  If you don’t like the flavor or consistency of margarine and don’t want to use butter, there is also the alternative of using vegetable shortening. This is something such as Crisco that can be used at the same ratio that you would use butter (1-to-1 ratio).

• Can you use milk instead of buttercream?

  You may use either cream or milk; just use the appropriate quantity. Despite the name, you can typically get away with substituting milk instead of cream if your recipe asks for it. The milk will be less thick and creamy, but it should still be adequate.

• What is a good substitute for butter in frosting?

  The 5 Best Substitutes for Butter in Frosting

  1. Margarine is number one. Margarine is a popular butter substitute that has been used in many recipes since its invention.
  2.  Vegan Butter.
  3.  Coconut Oil.
  4.  Cream Cheese.
  5.  Heavy Cream.

• Can you use oil instead of butter in icing?

  In most cakes and frostings, olive oil is an excellent antioxidant-rich and flavorful replacement for butter. According to studies, unprocessed olive oil is particularly stable at high temperatures. This makes it ideal for baking (and frying), as well as eating at room temperature with frostings!