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Home » Healthy Recipes » Gluten Free Dairy Free Desserts » Dairy-Free Buttercream Frosting (Healthy, High-Protein, Sugar-Free)

Dairy-Free Buttercream Frosting (Healthy, High-Protein, Sugar-Free)

01/09/2023 by fitasamamabear

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Close up of a cupcake with dairy-free buttercream frosting on top and pink shimmer sprinkles with more cupcakes behind it.
Two images of cupcakes, the top a vanilla cupcake with protein buttercream frosting being piped on and the bottom the icing already on a chocolate cupcake.
Protein cupcake with dairy-free buttercream frosting on a purple muffin liner with a bite out of the cupcake and more cupcakes behind it.

Take your desserts to the next level with this fluffy, dairy-free buttercream frosting! The perfect addition to cupcakes, cakes, and cookies. This protein frosting is not only easy to make but great for piping too!

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Protein cupcake with dairy-free buttercream frosting on a purple muffin liner with a bite out of the cupcake and more cupcakes behind it. this …

Skip the shortening and powdered sugar and opt for a healthy version of a classic. This buttercream frosting has a secret ingredient that makes it even better: protein.

If ever you want to boost your protein intake while enjoying something like cupcakes, this healthy vanilla frosting is what you need (especially if it's on top of something like chocolate protein powder cupcakes!).

As a Certified Nutrition Coach, I strive to find healthy ways to indulge without sacrificing my goals. And let’s be honest; everyone loves sweets!

This is why I know this protein frosting will become a staple in your house for celebrations. You’ll fall in love with it because it’s:

  • Dairy-free and gluten-free
  • Super EASY to make
  • Naturally sweetened with honey (no powdered sugar)
  • Fluffy
  • High in protein

Note: because this is a high-protein recipe, this is not a vegan buttercream frosting.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need five ingredients for this protein frosting which makes it super simple to whip up in a pinch.

Though most vegan buttercream frosting recipes rely on vegan butter, shortening, and powdered sugar, you'll find none of that here.

My goal with this buttercream frosting recipe was to make a healthy twist on a classic.

Dairy-free butter: the kind of butter you choose will make a slight difference to the texture of the healthy frosting recipe. I’ve used both Nuts For Cheese Butter and Miyokos Butter with great results. Personally, I try to find vegan butter that doesn’t have a high amount of sunflower oil or shortening.

Coconut oil: this helps the protein frosting with the texture. You want the vanilla frosting to be soft enough to pipe but not too soft that it’ll melt as you’re doing so.

Collagen powder: the secret ingredient! Collagen powder is one of the healthiest sources of protein you can grab (learn more about collagen powder versus bone broth).

Tapioca flour: this flour is what holds the vanilla buttercream frosting together and gives it the thickness that makes it fluffy and not runny.

Honey: skip the traditional powdered sugar and oils. Sweetened with just honey means that this is actually a sugar-free buttercream frosting too.

Vanilla: the better quality of the vanilla extract the more potent the flavor of the frosting.

Multiple ingredients for buttercream frosting in measuring cups with text labels over top.

How To Make Protein Frosting

  1. In a large bowl add the butter, coconut oil, honey, and vanilla.
  2. Whip lightly with a handheld mixer to combine.
  3. Add in the collagen and tapioca flour and whip for 1-2 minutes.
  4. Portion into a piping bag and pop in the fridge for 5 minutes.
  5. Warm up the frosting by squeezing the bag slightly and pipe it onto your dessert.

Step By Step Photos

Steel bowl with butter, honey, and vanilla in it.
Honey being poured into a steel bowl with butter and vanilla.
Steel bowl with a handheld mixer in it whipping dairy-free protein buttercream frosting.
Dairy-free buttercream frosting being piped onto a vanilla protein cupcake in a purple cupcake liner.

Important Teaching Tips

The kind of butter you choose will make a slight difference to the texture of the dairy-free frosting. Oil-based butter may melt more.

Likewise, as the protein frosting warms up, it will melt slightly because of the coconut oil (and because there isn't any icing sugar to bind).

Make sure to have your butter at room temperature before trying to whip it. Otherwise, it will create a chunky texture.

Pop your desserts in the fridge to firm up slightly after frosting.

Crucial Products

For the buttercream frosting, you do need collagen powder (not protein powder!).

Collagen is best known for improving your hair, skin, and nails, but it’s so much more than that. It’s actually the beneficial part of bone broth (don’t worry, it doesn’t taste like broth).

Learn more about the differences between collagen and bone broth.

I grab my collagen powder from Perfect Supplements because they source their collagen from pasture-raised cows.

Grab some collagen powder and use code mamabear10 to save some money.

Close up of a cupcake with dairy-free buttercream frosting on top and pink shimmer sprinkles with more cupcakes behind it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dairy-Free Buttercream Frosting

Can you freeze buttercream frosting?

You can freeze buttercream frosting but it won’t be as fluffy the next time you use it. Store the frosting in an airtight bag. When you’re ready to use it, let it thaw in the fridge before re-whipping the frosting with handheld beaters.

What vegan butter is best for dairy-free frosting?

Though any vegan butter should work, the best one I’ve found is Miyokos butter. Not only does it taste great but the texture holds up after being whipped as well. This vegan butter gives the frosting the most “traditional” flavor and feel.

Does the protein frosting melt?

Because of the coconut oil and no powdered sugar to bind it, if you leave it sitting out for hours it will soften or melt slightly depending on your vegan butter). Not much, but a little bit.

Why doesn't this frosting use almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk?

Because the frosting is made with a bit of coconut oil and without powdered sugar, adding any non-dairy milk (even coconut milk) would make the texture too runny.

Other Dairy-Free Dessert Recipes You’ll Love

  •  Cream cheese frosting
  • Paleo chocolate chip cookies
  • Dairy-free chocolate ganache
  • Protein truffles
  • Vanilla protein ice cream
  • Dairy-free S'mores cups
  • Candy cane fudge
  • The BEST dairy-free brownies
  • White chocolate fudge
  • Peppermint patty bars
  • Fudgy protein brownies
  • Chocolate frosted cashew cookies
  • Sugar-free pudding
  • Healthy chocolate pudding
  • Peanut butter thumbprint cookies
  • Chocolate-covered frozen bananas
  • High protein snack ideas
  • Healthy dessert recipes
Chocolate cupcake with dairy-free buttercream frosting on a purple cupcake liner with a piping tool and more cupcake behind it.
Protein cupcake with dairy-free buttercream frosting on a purple muffin liner with a bite out of the cupcake and more cupcakes behind it.

High Protein Buttercream Frosting (Dairy-Free)

The best addition to cupcakes or cake! This sugar-free frosting is light, fluffy, and sneakily healthy.
5 from 48 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 5 mins
0 mins
Total Time 10 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 243 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Handheld mixer
  • Large mixing bowl

Ingredients
  

  • ¼ cup Vegan butter room temperature
  • ⅓ cup Coconut oil room temperature
  • 1 tbs Coconut oil room temperature
  • 2 tbs Collagen powder
  • 3.5 tbs Tapioca flour
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup Honey

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl add the butter, coconut oil, honey, and vanilla.
  • Whip lightly with a handheld mixer to combine.
  • Add in the collagen and tapioca flour and whip for 1-2 minutes.
  • Portion into a piping bag and pop in the fridge for 5 minutes.
  • Warm up the frosting by squeezing the bag slightly and pipe it onto your dessert.

Video

Notes

  • Makes enough for six cupcakes.
  • The kind of butter you choose will make a slight difference to the texture. Oil-based vegan butter may melt more.
  • Make sure to have your butter at room temperature before trying to whip it. Otherwise, it will create a chunky texture.
  • Vanilla bean paste can be used in place of vanilla extract.
  • Likewise, as the protein frosting warms up, it will melt slightly because of the coconut oil.
  • Pop your desserts in the fridge to firm up slightly after frosting.
Disclaimer:

Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"

Nutrition

Calories: 243kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 2gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.04gSodium: 67mgPotassium: 12mgFiber: 0.03gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 360IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 1mgIron: 0.1mg
Keyword dairy-free, easy dessert, healthy dessert
Have You Tried This Recipe?Please leave a star rating and comment below. Mention @fitasamamabear or tag #fitasamamabear!
Multiple chocolate and vanilla cupcakes with buttercream frosting on them on cupcake liners.

Shelby aka Mama Bear

fitasamamabear

Meet Shelby – a Certified Strength Coach who has spent the last 10 years teaching women how to show up for their goals.

Her website, Fitasamamabear.com is a crucial resource for busy moms who need help making fitness and healthy living practical.

Learn how an everyday smoker and fast food junkie turned into a super fit mom of 3. If you want to send Shelby a message, visit her contact page.

See author's posts

More Gluten Free Dairy Free Desserts

  • Chocolate Almond Flour Cookies
  • High Protein Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts (gluten-free)
  • Rich Chocolate Protein Powder Cupcakes
  • Slow Cooker High Protein Banana Bread

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jennifer

    January 09, 2023 at 9:56 am

    5 stars
    You've come to my rescue again with another delish dairy-free recipe! I tested this out and it's delish! This is the frosting I'll use to ice my daughter's birthday cake!

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear

      January 10, 2023 at 2:02 pm

      Hehe it's a sneaky one for sure and I love it! Glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply
  2. Lisa

    January 09, 2023 at 10:14 am

    5 stars
    Wow! I didn't realize a dairy-free buttercream would taste just as good as one made with real butter. It's definitely a keeper!

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear

      January 10, 2023 at 2:02 pm

      It's definitely close, we love it!

      Reply
  3. Healing Tomato

    January 09, 2023 at 10:33 am

    5 stars
    This recipe was so amazing! It was the perfect frosting for my chocolate cupcakes. I subbed it with plant based collagen powder. Love that you used coconut oil and vegan butter.

    Reply
  4. Bella B

    January 09, 2023 at 1:34 pm

    5 stars
    I think I found my new favourite DF frosting! It was so good and even my mom liked it! Will be making again.

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear

      January 10, 2023 at 2:03 pm

      So happy you enjoy it! If you take out the collagen you may need to bump up the tapioca FYI 🙂

      Reply
  5. Jess Selensky

    January 09, 2023 at 3:17 pm

    5 stars
    This frosting is perfect and so tasty!

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear

      January 10, 2023 at 2:03 pm

      Glad you liked it!

      Reply
  6. tianna

    January 09, 2023 at 8:26 pm

    5 stars
    love that this is a dairy-free option will be perfect on a vegan chocolate cupcake

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear

      January 10, 2023 at 2:03 pm

      Why yes, yes it will!

      Reply

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About Me

Blond haired woman in a black sweater outside smiling at the camera

Hey- I’m Shelby!

A Certified Strength & Nutrition Coach who has spent the last 10 years teaching women how to show up for their goals.

I’m a lover of all things chocolate and peanut butter, a feeder of stray cats, and a total introvert in real life. But I’m also super passionate about helping make fitness & healthy living PRACTICAL for busy moms.

Go here to read how an everyday smoker and fast food junkie turned into a super fit mom of 3.

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