Chocolate vegan buttercream is first and foremost crazy delicious, perfectly sweet, but is also silky, smooth, fluffy, creamy, rich, decadent and oh so chocolaty! The perfect icing for any
Cakes – pipes really well
Cookies
Cupcakes or
Brownies
Anything else you’d like to dress up with icing!
Chocolate Vegan Buttercream Ingredients
On the plus side, it’s only four (or five) ingredients!
Vegan butter or shortening or both
Powdered Sugar
Vanilla
Cocoa Powder
Although the name has “butter” in it, this recipe, in fact, has none in it! It uses alternative butters or shortening. I suggest using butters with a higher fat content. Most of the ones I’ve seen are high in water content. They do, however, work in a pinch. I personally don’t care for them because at room temperature they are a bit too soft, but nothing a little more powdered sugar can’t solve. The sweeter, the better!
Also, if you use 100% vegan butter, the salt flavor is overwhelming, so I’d suggest trying to find unsalted or use a combination or vegan butter and shortening. I feel like the chocolate really enhances the saltiness.
Vegan “Butters”
All the vegan butters taste different to me. Chose your favorite! Mine is Earth Balance (not sponsored in any way, just the one I prefer)! It has a great flavor and it’s not bland and overly greasy like shortening (I won’t judge though, this is my sister’s favorite way to make icing – 100% shortening)! Plus it works great as a crusting icing. However, it is a bit on the salty side. I’d suggest using half vegan butter and half shortening. Then all of your problems are solved…not too salty, not too soft and not too greasy! The make of a perfect vegan buttercream icing! Stable and tasty! I feel like the chocolate really brings out the saltiness more.
Cocoa Powers
Cocoa powders generally don’t have any ingredients beside cocoa, but just make sure to glance at the ingredients. Some, not many, but some do add milk power, so just be on the up and up to keep your icing vegan!
Let’s Make Chocolate Vegan Icing!
It’s crazy easy to make! Just let the mixer do all the work for you! To make this delicious icing simply
Step 1: cream the vegan butter and shortening until light and fluffy on medium speed.
Step 2: Add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, then completely incorporate into the butter and shortening. Beat on medium speed for 3-5 minutes until smooth and fluffy. If you’d like really, really chocolaty icing feel free to add more cocoa powder.
Step 3: Add and mix in the vanilla and you’re ready to enjoy!
Tips:
If you find your buttercream to be too stiff, you may add an alternative milk, such as almond or soy to loosen it up a bit. Water also works in a pinch.
If your buttercream is too soft or thin, add more powdered sugar until it’s thicker. Just a small amount at a time.
Make sure your shortening and plant based butters are at room temperature before whipping.
Make sure to scrape, scrape and scrape your bowl to make sure everything combines perfectly smooth.