Out of Butter, one case
Vegan butter substitutes for frosting
8 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Earth Balance buttery spread
Same amount as the butter
The best vegan butter substitutes for frosting are Earth Balance Buttery Spread, Miyoko's Creamery, and Country Crock Plant Butter. Let them come to room temperature and cream with powdered sugar for good buttercream texture.
- Verdict —
- Works
- Best for —
- buttercream frosting
One casethe full butter card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of butter | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Earth Balance buttery spreadbuttercream frosting | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 2 | Miyoko's Creamery European style cultured vegan butterbuttercream frosting | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 3 | Country Crock plant butterbuttercream frosting | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 4 | Violife plant butterbuttercream frosting | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 5 | Homemade vegan butter blendbuttercream frosting | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 6 | Coconut oil (room temperature)simple frosting | Same amountYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 7 | Cashew creamcream cheese frosting | Same amountYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 8 | Avocadochocolate frosting | Same amountYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
Earth Balance buttery spread
similar taste and texture
Earth Balance Buttery Spread is excellent for frosting and buttercream. It has the right fat content and texture to create smooth, stable frosting that holds its shape and pipes beautifully.
- Best for
- buttercream frosting, cream cheese frosting, chocolate frosting, vanilla frosting, piping and decorating, all frosting types
Let come to room temperature before using. Cream with powdered sugar for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. Provides excellent texture and stability for piping and decorating.
Miyoko's Creamery European style cultured vegan butter
enhanced taste, similar texture
Miyoko's premium vegan butter creates exceptional frosting with rich, buttery flavor. The cultured taste adds depth and sophistication to buttercream and other frosting types.
- Best for
- buttercream frosting, when you want premium quality, sophisticated frosting flavors, butter-forward frostings, high-end desserts
More expensive but provides superior taste and texture. The cultured flavor enhances frosting taste, especially in vanilla and chocolate buttercream. Creates smooth, stable frosting.
Country Crock plant butter
similar taste and texture
Country Crock's plant butter works well for frosting applications. It's widely available and affordable, making it a good option for everyday frosting needs.
- Best for
- buttercream frosting, chocolate frosting, vanilla frosting, when you want widely available option, budget-conscious frosting, family desserts
Good for most frosting applications. Let come to room temperature and cream properly with powdered sugar. May not be as stable as specialty vegan butter brands for complex piping.
Violife plant butter
similar taste and texture
Violife's palm oil-free vegan butter works well in frosting applications. It's made from coconut and sunflower oils, providing good performance while being environmentally conscious.
- Best for
- buttercream frosting, chocolate frosting, when you want palm oil-free, environmentally conscious baking, general frosting applications
Palm oil-free option that performs well in most frosting recipes. Has slightly different texture than traditional vegan butters but works well for most frosting types.
Homemade vegan butter blend
similar taste and texture
A homemade blend of refined coconut oil, plant milk, and salt creates a customizable vegan butter substitute good for frosting. You control all ingredients and can adjust the flavor profile.
- Best for
- buttercream frosting, when you want control over ingredients, customizable frosting flavors, avoiding processed ingredients, simple frosting recipes
Blend 1 cup refined coconut oil with 2-3 tablespoons plant milk and ¼ teaspoon salt. Let come to room temperature before using. Can be customized with different plant milks for varying flavors.
Coconut oil (room temperature)
different taste and texture
Room temperature coconut oil can work as a vegan butter substitute in frosting, though it may not provide the same stability as commercial vegan butters.
- Best for
- simple frosting, when you want coconut flavor, tropical-themed desserts, basic buttercream, when you want simple option
Use refined coconut oil for neutral flavor. Let come to room temperature and cream with powdered sugar. May not be as stable as commercial vegan butters for complex piping.
Cashew cream
different taste and texture
Blended cashews create a rich, creamy base for frosting that works well in both sweet and savory applications. It's particularly good for cream cheese-style frostings.
- Best for
- cream cheese frosting, when you want rich creaminess, savory frostings, dips and spreads, when you want protein-rich option
Soak cashews for 2-4 hours, then blend with water until smooth. Add salt and nutritional yeast for a more buttery flavor. Best for cream cheese-style frostings rather than traditional buttercream.
Avocado
different taste and texture
Mashed avocado can work as a butter substitute in some frosting applications, particularly chocolate frostings where the green color won't be noticeable.
- Best for
- chocolate frosting, when you want healthy fats, chocolate-based desserts, some buttercream, healthy frosting options
Best in chocolate recipes where the color is masked. Provides healthy monounsaturated fats and adds creaminess. May not work well in light-colored frostings due to green tint.
How it behaves in this recipe
Frosting requires specific fat properties that vegan butter substitutes must replicate. The best substitutes for frosting have similar fat content (around 80%), ability to hold air when creamed with powdered sugar, and proper melting properties. Room temperature vegan butters work best for creaming methods and creating smooth, stable frosting. The key is choosing the right consistency and temperature for your specific frosting type and application.
Tips for substituting butter
8 tips- For buttercream frosting, let vegan butter come to room temperature before creaming for best results
- When making cream cheese frosting, use room temperature vegan butter and cream cheese for smooth texture
- For chocolate frosting, use high-quality vegan butter like Miyoko's for best flavor and stability
- In vanilla frosting, cream vegan butter with powdered sugar for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy
- For piping and decorating, use a stable vegan butter like Earth Balance for best results
- When making frosting, add liquid ingredients gradually to prevent breaking or curdling
- For stable frosting, use a high-fat vegan butter and avoid overmixing
- In frosting recipes, the temperature of vegan butter affects texture - room temperature works best for creaming
Notes on butter
- For vegan butter extract in frosting, use vanilla extract or butter flavoring
- For vegan buttermilk in frosting, use plant milk with lemon juice or vinegar
- For vegan butter beans in frosting, use cannellini beans or navy beans
- For vegan butter lettuce in frosting, use romaine or green leaf lettuce
- For vegan butter in frosting, use coconut oil or margarine as alternatives
- For vegan butter in frosting, use cashew cream or avocado as alternatives
Questions
8 questionsWhat's the best vegan butter substitute for buttercream frosting?
For buttercream frosting, use Earth Balance Buttery Spread or Miyoko's Creamery. Let them come to room temperature and cream with powdered sugar for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. This creates the good texture and stability.
Can I use coconut oil instead of vegan butter in frosting?
Yes, room temperature coconut oil can work as a vegan butter substitute in frosting. Use refined coconut oil for neutral flavor and cream with powdered sugar. It may not be as stable as commercial vegan butters for complex piping.
Why is my vegan frosting too runny?
Runny frosting is often caused by using vegan butter that's too warm or has too much water content. Use a high-fat vegan butter like Earth Balance and make sure it's at room temperature, not melted. Also, don't overmix the frosting.
What's the best vegan butter for cream cheese frosting?
For cream cheese frosting, use Earth Balance Buttery Spread or Miyoko's Creamery. Let both the vegan butter and cream cheese come to room temperature before mixing. This creates smooth, stable frosting with good flavor.
Can I substitute vegan butter for butter in chocolate frosting?
Yes, vegan butter works excellently in chocolate frosting. Use high-quality vegan butter like Miyoko's for best flavor, or Earth Balance for consistent results. The butter flavor enhances the chocolate taste.
What's the difference between using solid vs room temperature vegan butter in frosting?
Room temperature vegan butter creams better with powdered sugar and creates smoother frosting. Solid vegan butter is harder to cream and may create lumpy frosting. Always let vegan butter come to room temperature for frosting.
Can I use vegan butter in royal icing?
Royal icing typically doesn't use butter, but if you're making a butter-based royal icing, use room temperature vegan butter and cream it properly with powdered sugar and meringue powder for stability.
Why is my vegan frosting grainy?
Grainy frosting is usually caused by using cold vegan butter or not creaming it long enough. Let vegan butter come to room temperature and cream with powdered sugar for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.