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You are here: Home / Recipes and Cooking Tips / How to Make Fluffy Dairy-Free Chocolate Frosting

How to Make Fluffy Dairy-Free Chocolate Frosting

March 19, 2016 by Alea Milham 15 Comments

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How to make fluffy dairy-free chocolate frosting - recipe and tips

Use this dairy-free chocolate frosting recipe to make fluffy frosting to top cakes, cupcakes and even cookies!

How to Make Fluffy Dairy-Free Chocolate Frosting - You don't have to compromise on flavor or texture with this delicious dairy-free chocolate frosting recipe!

I told my friend Stephanie that I would bring her chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting to co-op for her birthday. I knew that I needed to make them gluten-free and dairy-free, but I forgot to ask about any other food allergies. I didn’t start to frost the cupcakes until after 10 pm – too late to call her and ask about food allergies.

Normally I make my Mocha Fudge Frosting using dairy-free margarine, but I wasn’t sure if she could have coffee. When I make my Fluffy Dairy-Free Frosting, I usually use almond milk, but I wasn’t sure if she had a nut allergy. So I decided to try something I never tried before: I used water as the liquid in the frosting. And I was delighted to discover that it worked! The frosting had a nice chocolaty flavor and was thick and creamy.

Tip: To maximize the flavor of the cocoa this recipe uses hot water to help the cocoa “bloom”. Since we are using a hot liquid, it is important that you use COLD dairy-free margarine straight from the refrigerator. If you allow your margarine to soften, your frosting will be limp when you go to decorate cupcakes with it.

Dairy-free chocolate frosting recipe

I used my Norpro Cupcake Decorating Set to easily top the cupcakes with frosting. You can find the recipe for the gluten-free, dairy-free chocolate cupcakes here.

How to Make Fluffy Dairy-Free Chocolate Frosting

Ingredients:

  • 6 tablespoons COLD dairy-free margarine
  • 6 tablespoons hot water
  • 6 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 4 cups powdered sugar

Directions:

  1. Place water in a microwave-safe bowl and heat until it just begins to boil, approximately 1 1/2 minutes.
  2. Add cocoa powder to the hot water. Set aside.
  3. Place COLD dairy-free margarine in a large bowl. Use a hand mixer and mix for 1 – 2 minutes until it begins to soften.
  4. Add the vanilla to the margarine. Mix well.
  5. Add 2 cups of powdered sugar to the margarine and mix well.
  6. Add the cocoa mixture to the bowl and mix well.
  7. Slowly add the remaining powdered sugar until you reach the desired consistency.
  8. Whip the frosting mixture for 1 more minute.
  9. Then use the icing to decorate your cake or cupcakes.

Frosting Tips:

If your frosting is not as stiff as you would like it, then add more powdered sugar.

If your frosting is too thick add one teaspoon of cold water. Mix well. Repeat as needed. Do not add more than a teaspoon of water at a time because your frosting can quickly go from too thick to too thin.

If your frosting is too sweet, add a pinch of salt.

Printable Recipe for Dairy-Free Chocolate Frosting

5.0 from 3 reviews
How to Make Fluffy Dairy-Free Chocolate Frosting
 
Print
Prep time
5 mins
Cook time
2 mins
Total time
7 mins
 
Author: Alea
Recipe type: Dessert
Serves: 24
Ingredients
  • 6 tablespoons COLD dairy-free margarine
  • 6 tablespoons hot water
  • 6 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
Directions
  1. Place water in a microwave safe bowl and heat until it just begins to boil, approximately 1½ minutes.
  2. Add cocoa powder to hot water
  3. Place COLD dairy-free margarine in large bowl. Use a hand mixer and mix for 1 - 2 minutes until it begins to soften.
  4. Add the vanilla to the margarine. Mix well.
  5. Add 2 cups of powdered sugar to the margarine and mix well.
  6. Add the cocoa mixture to the bowl and mix well.
  7. Slowly add the remaining powdered sugar until you reach the desired consistency.
  8. Whip the frosting mixture for 1 more minute.
3.5.3208

 

How to Make Fluffy Dairy-Free Chocolate Frosting - Recipe and Tips. This dairy-free chocolate frosting recipe is delicious and creamy!

More Dairy-Free Frosting Recipes

How to make Fluffy Dairy-Free Frosting

Crisco Frosting Recipe

How to Make Royal Icing

Dairy-Free “Butter Cream” Frosting

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About Alea Milham

Alea Milham is the owner of Premeditated Leftovers and the author of Prep-Ahead Meals from Scatch. She shares her tips for saving money and time while reducing waste in her home. Her favorite hobby, gardening, is a frugal source of organic produce for her recipes. She believes it is possible to live fully and eat well while spending less.

Comments

  1. geekgalcooks says

    May 11, 2022 at 4:01 pm

    Will coconut oil (hardened state) work instead of margarine? I have a dairy free kid but hate the thought of using margarine.

    Reply
    • Alea Milham says

      May 15, 2022 at 10:30 pm

      Yes, it will work.

      Reply
  2. Steve says

    May 7, 2022 at 5:27 pm

    Made this for a friend who has allergies to milk, egg, and vanilla. I subed almond extract and dark cocoa powder and it is delicious.

    Reply
  3. Sharon P says

    December 2, 2021 at 9:40 am

    I made this frosting for the first time, but cut the recipe in half as I was icing a small chocolate Wacky Cake. It was just the right amount and so very delicious! Will definitely make this again. It’s so much better than store bought!

    Reply
  4. Bobbi says

    September 14, 2021 at 7:54 pm

    Could I make this the day before you do you recommend I frost it the dame day it’ll be eaten?

    Reply
  5. Stephanie says

    March 7, 2020 at 11:29 pm

    How long do you think this would keep in the fridge?

    Reply
  6. Jennie says

    March 14, 2019 at 8:00 pm

    I needed a df chocolate frosting this afternoon for the df chocolate cake I was bringing a friend post surgery. I had no milk of any sort (nut, coconut) and my friend can’t have dairy and doesn’t like canned coconut milk. I came across this and boy is it great! Beautiful to look at, wonderful texture and great flavor. Thank you so much for making and posting this! Will be on my go-to list for my df friends.

    Reply
  7. Bekah says

    October 28, 2018 at 8:28 pm

    This was a hit! It was fluffy and smooth with a lovely flavor. By far the best df, go frosting recipe I’ve tried. Next time, I’m going to use coconut cream instead of water and see how it goes!

    Reply
    • Alea Milham says

      October 29, 2018 at 8:35 pm

      I am glad you liked it!

      Reply
  8. Michelle says

    April 26, 2018 at 7:49 pm

    Does this icing melt at room temperature? Will they hold up all day without being in the fridge? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Jeannie says

      August 25, 2018 at 5:50 pm

      The icing melted slightly for me. I used exact measurements for powdered sugar. Maybe more next time would keep it stiff.. not sure.

      Reply
  9. Lauren says

    March 3, 2017 at 6:09 pm

    Unsweetened cocoa??

    Reply
    • Alea Milham says

      March 3, 2017 at 11:06 pm

      Yes.

      Reply
  10. A. Holien says

    September 3, 2016 at 6:22 pm

    I’m going to try this recipe for my daughter’s birthday treat and party this week. In step one we prepare the water and cocoa, but then the directions never say what to do with them. Do I add to the margarine/butter and vanilla before the powdered sugar? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Alea Milham says

      September 3, 2016 at 10:38 pm

      You add them in step 6. It is referred to as the “cocoa mixture” because the cocoa is mixed with the water.

      Reply

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Welcome. I'm Alea!

On Premeditated Leftovers I share simple recipes made with whole foods, practical shopping tips, time saving techniques, and meal planning strategies. I also share tips for minimizing food waste, so more of the food that is purchased ends up on the table.

While volunteering as a budget counselor, I realized that food is the element of most people’s budgets where they have the greatest control. I set out to develop low-cost recipes from scratch to prove it’s possible to create delicious meals on a limited budget. Eating well while spending less is about more than just creating recipes using inexpensive ingredients; it’s about creatively combining ingredients so you don’t feel deprived and are inspired to stick to your budget.

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