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Home » Recipes » Video Recipes

Dairy-Free Chocolate Frosting

Published: Jun 2, 2021 · Updated: May 17, 2023 by Laura Fuentes · This post may contain affiliate links

Hands down, the best dairy-free chocolate frosting recipe you can whip up fast at home to top your allergy-friendly cake!
5 from 20 votes
Jump to Recipe

Hands down, the best dairy-free chocolate frosting recipe you can whip up fast at home.

This recipe is simple and will satisfy even the toughest chocolateaholic critics out there. Use it to frost your favorite chocolate cake recipe or, for an allergy-friendly version, Check out my Gluten, Egg, and Dairy-Free Chocolate Cake Recipe.

large yellow bowl of dairy free chocolate frosting

Dairy-Free Chocolate Frosting Ingredients

Five simple ingredients make up this dairy-free chocolate frosting. You will need:

  • Vegetable shortening
  • Vanilla extract
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Powdered sugar
  • Canned coconut milk or non-dairy creamer

For the recipe amounts and directions, check the recipe card below.

How to Make Dairy-Free Chocolate Frosting

Making dairy-free chocolate frosting at home is simple. You will need a hand mixer and a large bowl or, a stand mixer to whip up the ingredients into the classic frosting texture you’ve come to love.

Check out this video below where I show you how to make this dairy-free frosting. In the video, I also show you how to make my allergy-friendly cake recipe.

Sugar-Free Chocolate Frosting

To turn this recipe into a sugar-free chocolate frosting, you can swap the traditional powdered sugar with powdered erythritol. 

I’ve successfully used powdered erythritol as a 1:1 replacement using this powdered erythritol and my favorite, this popular brand.

Extra Tips for the Perfect Dairy Free Frosting

For the ultimate whipped frosting texture, you’ll want to follow the recipe and not make any substitutions. That said, here are a few tips to make the perfect dairy-free frosting:

  1. Make sure the vegetable shortening is at room temperature and soft, not melted.
  2. Using canned coconut milk or dairy-free coffee creamer will yield a thicker texture than using a dairy-free milk alternative (like almond or soy). Using a milk alternative will yield a “runnier” frosting.
  3. Use powdered sugar, not granulated sugar.
  4. Add ¼ to ½ teaspoon instant coffee for a deeper chocolate flavor.
  5. Wait for your cake to fully cool down to room temperature before frosting. Otherwise, your frosting texture will be runnier.
  6. This dairy-free chocolate frosting needs to be at room temperature for easy spreading.
large slice of chocolate cake frosted with chocolate icing

How Long Does Homemade Dairy-Free Frosting Last?

Homemade dairy-free frosting will last a week in the refrigerator in an airtight container or zip bag.

To have a ready-made cake, make this frosting, frost the cake, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to serve it, for up to 5 days.

You can also frost your cake or cupcakes and freeze them. To enjoy a slice or a cupcake, simply take it out of the freezer, and in 15 to 20 minutes it’s ready to be enjoyed.

How to Store Homemade Frosting

This dairy-free homemade frosting is best stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, in the freezer for up to 3 months once frosted on a cake or cupcakes.

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Chocolate Cake & Frosting Recipes

When you need an allergy-friendly treat, this frosting goes epic on top of my favorite gluten-free, dairy-free chocolate cake!

Another recipe you can use this frosting on is my Paleo Chocolate Cake Recipe.

Want more dairy-free treats? Check out this book!

Clean Treats Cookbook

Healthy and wholesome dessert recipes you’ll want to eat made with clean ingredients you already have on hand.
Grab your copy today!

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Dairy-Free Chocolate Frosting

Laura Fuentes
5 from 20 votes
Hands down, the best dairy-free chocolate frosting recipe you can whip up fast at home to top your allergy-friendly cake!
Servings: 12 servings
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • ½ cup vegetable shortening
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • ½ cup unsweetened canned coconut milk or non-dairy creamer

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat the vegetable shortening until light and fluffy.
  • Add the vanilla, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar.
  • While mixing on medium speed, add the coconut milk or creamer slowly until all ingredients are combined, and the frosting is smooth.
  • If the frosting is too thick, add more creamer 1 tablespoon at a time. If it’s too runny, add more powdered sugar 1 tablespoon at a time.
  • This frosting is ready to use once the cake has cooled completely. 

Notes

This dairy-free chocolate frosting recipe will frost a 2 layer, 9″ round cake.

Equipment

Clean Treats Cookbook
Cocoa Powder

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 212kcalCarbohydrates: 32.8gProtein: 0.6gFat: 9.7gSaturated Fat: 2.4gTrans Fat: 1.1gSodium: 8.4mgFiber: 1.1gSugar: 29.5g
Like this recipe?Rate and leave a comment below

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Damini

    June 16, 2023 at 1:58 pm

    5 stars
    This is the best gluten free recipe I have ever come across. Thank you so much for sharing!!

    Reply
    • MOMables - Laura

      June 21, 2023 at 5:37 pm

      thank you for sharing how much you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  2. TinyBirdie

    June 07, 2023 at 8:31 am

    5 stars
    Would nutiva coconut shortening work for the frosting or should it be crisco?

    Reply
    • MOMables - Laura

      June 08, 2023 at 4:20 pm

      I’ve used nutiva’s coconut shortening for this recipe and it performs just as well! Just make sure its not melty or near a too soft (I usually put it in the fridge for 5 minutes while I gather my ingredients since my kitchen is rather warm).

      Reply
      • TinyBirdie

        June 11, 2023 at 1:19 pm

        5 stars
        How does the frosting hold up in 80/90 degree weather?

        Reply
        • MOMables - Laura

          June 21, 2023 at 5:38 pm

          It holds for serving and singing. Like all homemade frosting recipes, they are not meant to be left out long.

          Reply
  3. Martha

    September 06, 2022 at 10:37 am

    5 stars
    New at GF, DF, NF cooking but was craving chocolate cake. My one yr old
    Grandson has all the above allergies including egg allergies. I’m just learning how to bake treats for the time he will eat them. His mom can eat them without bothering her son (still nursing), she loves this cake, icing too. Said it’s so light and delicious! I used coconut milk for icing and Ripplebtand Pea Protein chocolate milk for the cake. They are perfect!
    Not many of my first time attempts at allergy free food are successful, but this one was! Yay!!

    Reply
    • MOMables-Laura

      September 07, 2022 at 5:33 pm

      I am so happy to hear this recipe is a hit for you and your family! Thank you so much!

      Reply
    • Faith

      March 01, 2023 at 3:14 pm

      5 stars
      Never made an allergy free dessert that came out so normal and delicious!!!!!!

      I used a 9×13 pan and baked it for 30-35 mins. Came out perfect!

      Thanks for such clear instructions!

      Reply
  4. LEORA

    April 10, 2022 at 10:14 am

    5 stars
    Hi! I will be making this frosting & cake in few days. thank you for sharing. When I add the instant coffee is it just the coffee grounds its self, or make the coffee (liquid) then add it to the recipe.

    Thank you!

    Reply
    • MOMables-Laura

      April 11, 2022 at 2:15 pm

      Just the instant coffee granules, the liquid coffee would make it too watery.

      Reply
      • Natasha

        January 23, 2023 at 7:17 am

        5 stars
        Thanks for recipe can you pipe with this frosting and if you double the recipe will it work to make 4 layer cake.

        Reply
        • MOMables-Laura

          January 24, 2023 at 5:43 pm

          It’s not as stiff as piping icing, so I usually spread it with the icing knife. That being said, you should be able to pipe it onto the cake for a decorative touch. If you double the icing, it should be plenty for a four-layer cake.

          Reply
    • Al

      October 22, 2022 at 8:18 pm

      5 stars
      Can we use oil instead of veg shortening as we can’t use any butter of any sort..

      Thanks,
      Pls do share more butter free low sugar nut free and egg free recipes with me thanks.

      Reply
      • MOMables - Laura

        November 09, 2022 at 4:49 pm

        Yes, you can use vegetable shortening instead to make this frosting. Enjoy!

        Reply
  5. Carol Guthrie

    April 02, 2022 at 8:18 am

    5 stars
    hi can you give the ingredients in grammes as you have for the cake recipe?
    I want to try it for my birthday cake as my daughter and granddaughters are Gluten free, dairy free and the girls can only have pasteurised egg white in small quantities

    Reply
    • MOMables-Laura

      April 05, 2022 at 6:21 pm

      400 grams gluten-free all-purpose flour
      350 grams granulated sugar
      45 grams unsweetened cocoa powder
      8 grams baking soda
      8 grams xanthan gum* if using
      4 grams salt
      574 ml chocolate non-dairy milk
      120 ml vegetable oil
      30 ml apple cider vinegar
      5 ml vanilla

      Reply
  6. Esther Felicity

    July 31, 2021 at 11:12 pm

    Hi, I’m glad I stumbled across your recipe. I love baking but my 2y/o toddler son is allergic to Dairy, Gluten, Eggs and Tree Nuts, so this recipe is just perfect! I’ve just made the cake – now cooking on the rack. However, after watching your video again, I realised my batter just now was NOT runny like yours at all. It was thick and kind of hard to whisk around (but I managed to stir all together). And the cake (I pinched a little on top) does look a bit on the denser side, more like mud cake. I followed your recipe exactly, omitted the Xanthan as my GF free already has Vegetable Gum (461&415) in it. I used Sunflower oil, and Almond Chocolate Milk. Is there something I could be doing wrong? I haven’t frosted nor have I tasted the cake in full yet… so perhaps I’ll just wait and see but thought of just dropping this comment now to let you know. I’ll update again later if the very end result.

    Reply
    • MOMables-Laura

      August 02, 2021 at 4:27 pm

      Hi, Esther, let me know the finished results. If you followed the recipe, it should turn out just fine.

      Reply
      • Fran

        March 20, 2022 at 10:54 am

        I tried this cake & my batter was thick & hard to spread. It did come out fine but I felt it was a little dry. Any suggestions on making it a little more moist?

        Reply
        • MOMables-Laura

          March 21, 2022 at 11:23 am

          You could try adding additional coconut milk until the frosting reaches your desired consistency.

          Reply
        • Christie

          February 25, 2023 at 1:37 am

          5 stars
          You could try substituting the oil in the cake recipe for apple sauce. That helps to make baking more moist.

          Reply
  7. Aria

    June 21, 2021 at 9:50 am

    5 stars
    Hi! What dairy free milk/creamer do you use for the cake and frosting?

    Reply
    • MOMables-Laura

      June 22, 2021 at 9:00 am

      Hi Aria, I used coconut milk but you can swap it for unflavored oat milk or coconut milk creamer.

      Reply
  8. Sally

    June 21, 2021 at 8:56 am

    5 stars
    I want to say Bravo! And thank you. I just made your everything free chocolate cake and the frosting for my daughters baby shower. The only thing I couldn’t actually get, was the chocolate oat milk. So I added 4tbls of good quality drinking chocolate to the oat milk and 2tbls of instant coffee. A trick I learnt a long time ago. The coffee brings out the flavour of the chocolate. And it was perfection on a cake board. And the frosting is amazing! No one even new it was Everything Freeeeeee!!!!
    I’m So impressed with this recipe, it is now a staple cake in my recipe book. Love it! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

    Reply
  9. Dhijara

    June 03, 2021 at 7:10 am

    5 stars
    Hello! You are very talented with creating delicious recipes! I have one question. I was always under the impression that all shortening, even vegetable shortening, is not healthy. Please, what brand of vegetable shortening do you use? Thank you in advance for your response!

    Reply
    • MOMables-Laura

      June 04, 2021 at 12:15 pm

      Hi Dhijara, thank you so much for the kind words, I’m glad you enjoy the recipes. Personally, vegetable shortening isn’t my optimal choice nor is it something I use all the time but for special occasions such as this frosting for a cake, I find it perfectly fine. It gives the frosting the right texture. I like to use Crisco but if you aren’t comfortable with that you can swap it for Earth Balance baking sticks.

      Reply
    • Sally

      June 21, 2021 at 8:38 am

      Vegetable shortening is olive butter, nutlex, anything plant based.

      Reply

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