The Ultimate Guide: Which icings are vegan?

November 9, 2025 •

4 min read

A recent survey found that over a quarter of US households are purchasing plant-based foods, driving innovation in every aisle, including baking supplies. For vegan and dairy-free bakers, a common question arises: Which icings are vegan? This guide covers everything you need to know to create or find delicious, animal-product-free frostings for all your sweet treats.

Quick Summary

Explore the world of plant-based icings, including homemade buttercream, royal icing, and cream cheese frosting. Learn about key ingredients, useful tips for preparation, and convenient store-bought brand options for all your vegan dessert needs.

Key Points

Vegan Butter Alternatives: Use stick-style vegan butter, not spreads from a tub, for the best buttercream consistency.
Aquafaba for Royal Icing: The liquid from a can of chickpeas can be whipped to replace egg whites in vegan royal icing.
Read Labels for Powdered Sugar: Not all powdered sugar is vegan, so check the brand to ensure it wasn't processed with bone char.
Stable Frosting: Combine vegan butter with vegetable shortening for a more stable frosting that resists melting.
Store-Bought Options: Several brands like Miss Jones and certain Betty Crocker products offer ready-made vegan frostings.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: For the fluffiest and smoothest buttercream, ensure your vegan butter and plant-based milk are at room temperature.
Adjust Consistency: Easily thicken vegan frosting with more powdered sugar or thin it with a small amount of plant-based milk.

The Building Blocks of Vegan Icing

Making vegan icing is more accessible than ever, thanks to a wide array of plant-based alternatives to traditional dairy and egg ingredients. These core components allow for a seamless transition to dairy-free baking without sacrificing texture or flavor.

Essential Ingredients for Vegan Frostings

Vegan Butter and Spreads: The most common replacement for dairy butter in buttercream. Brands like Earth Balance sticks, Violife, and Country Crock Plant Butter are popular choices for their flavor and ability to cream well. For the best results, use stick-style vegan butter rather than the spreadable kind from a tub.
Vegetable Shortening: Often used in combination with vegan butter to create a more stable frosting that holds up well, especially in warmer temperatures. It helps achieve a classic fluffy texture.
Aquafaba: The liquid from a can of chickpeas, aquafaba is a powerful egg white replacer. It can be whipped to create vegan meringues and perfect, glossy royal icing.
Plant-Based Milk: Unsweetened non-dairy milks like soy, almond, or oat milk are used to thin frostings and achieve the desired consistency. Full-fat coconut milk or cream can also add richness and a creamy texture.
Powdered Sugar: Also known as icing or confectioner's sugar, this is the primary sweetener. To ensure it is vegan, check that the brand is not processed using bone char. Many organic brands are a safe bet.
Flavor Extracts and Colorings: Vanilla extract is a classic flavoring, but other extracts like almond, lemon, or peppermint can be used. Be sure to use vegan-friendly food colorings, as some contain animal-derived ingredients.

Popular Homemade Vegan Icing Varieties

With the right ingredients, you can make virtually any type of icing from scratch. Here are some of the most common and delicious vegan versions.

Vegan Buttercream Frosting

A classic for a reason, vegan buttercream is simple to make and incredibly versatile. By creaming softened vegan butter with powdered sugar and a splash of non-dairy milk, you get a rich, creamy frosting perfect for cakes and cupcakes. Add cocoa powder for a decadent chocolate version or freeze-dried strawberry powder for a fruity twist.

Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting

This tangy and sweet frosting is ideal for carrot cake, red velvet, and more. It combines softened vegan butter and vegan cream cheese with powdered sugar and a bit of lemon juice for that classic tartness. A tip for success is not to over-mix the vegan cream cheese, which can cause it to become runny. Cashew-based versions are also an option for a rich, naturally creamy alternative.

Vegan Royal Icing

Often used for decorating cookies and creating gingerbread houses, traditional royal icing relies on egg whites for its structure. The vegan version substitutes egg whites with aquafaba. By whisking aquafaba with powdered sugar and corn syrup, you get a perfectly pipeable and fast-drying icing. Gel food colors work best for vibrant colors without thinning the mixture.

Simple Glazes and Ganaches

For a quick and easy topping, a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and a small amount of plant-based milk or lemon juice can be drizzled over cakes and doughnuts. Vegan ganache can be made with just two ingredients: melted vegan chocolate and full-fat coconut cream.

Convenient Store-Bought Vegan Icings

For those who prefer a ready-made option, several brands offer excellent vegan frostings. Always check the ingredients list, as some brands' products are vegan while others are not.

Miss Jones Baking Co.: Offers organic, ready-to-eat frostings in flavors like Vanilla, Chocolate, and Confetti Pop.
Betty Crocker: Several of their Rich & Creamy and Whipped frostings are listed as vegan-friendly, but double-checking labels is recommended.
Duncan Hines: Similar to Betty Crocker, certain flavors are often vegan. Check the ingredients for dairy and other animal products.
365 by Whole Foods Market: Offers vegan frosting mixes, where you add your own dairy-free butter.

Comparing Vegan Icing Bases

Different vegan fats offer varied results in terms of flavor, texture, and stability. Choosing the right one depends on your desired outcome.


Feature	Vegan Butter Sticks	Vegetable Shortening	Refined Coconut Oil
Best For	Creamy buttercream, fillings	Stable, fluffy frosting, piping	Simple glazes, warmer weather
Flavor	Rich, buttery flavor depending on brand	Neutral, no flavor	Neutral flavor
Texture	Smooth and creamy, can soften if too warm	Very stable, holds shape well	Temperature-sensitive; very hard when cold, melts easily when warm
Stability	Good, but can become soft at room temperature	Excellent, especially when combined with butter	Low stability; hardens quickly when chilled

Conclusion: Your Guide to Vegan Icing

From velvety buttercream to glossy royal icing and quick-and-easy glazes, a wealth of vegan icing options awaits. Whether you prefer to make it from scratch with plant-based butters and aquafaba or opt for a convenient store-bought tub, it's never been easier to frost your favorite treats without any animal products. Understanding the basic ingredients and different vegan fats will empower you to choose or create the perfect icing for any dessert. Enjoy your plant-based baking journey!

For more tips on vegan baking, consider visiting The Hidden Veggies, a valuable resource for plant-based recipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Aquafaba is the starchy liquid found in a can of chickpeas. It is used in vegan icing, particularly royal icing, as a substitute for egg whites because it can be whipped into a meringue-like foam that gives the icing structure.

Stick-style vegan butter from brands like Country Crock Plant Butter, Violife, or Earth Balance is generally recommended for buttercream. They have a higher fat content and firmer texture than tub spreads, which helps the frosting hold its shape better.

If your vegan frosting is too runny, you can add more powdered sugar, a quarter cup at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. Chilling the frosting in the refrigerator for a while will also help it firm up.

No, many conventional store-bought frostings contain dairy-based butter, cream, or other animal-derived ingredients. You must read the ingredient label carefully. However, several brands, including Miss Jones and specific varieties from Betty Crocker and Duncan Hines, offer vegan options.

You can, but refined coconut oil is very sensitive to temperature. It will be firm when cold and melt easily when warm, which can make your frosting less stable. It is not recommended for intricate piping but can work for simple glazes.

The tanginess in vegan cream cheese frosting comes from a combination of vegan cream cheese and an acidic ingredient like lemon juice. Adding a little fresh lemon juice to the recipe will help achieve that classic flavor.

Homemade vegan icing, especially buttercream and cream cheese versions, should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, it can often be frozen.