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Home » Healthy Recipes » Gluten Free Dairy Free Desserts » 5-Minute Chocolate Dairy-Free Frosting

5-Minute Chocolate Dairy-Free Frosting

01/16/2020 by fitasamamabear

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Pinterest image with text: delicious chocolate frosting in a teal bowl with a silver fork
Close up of a spoon with dairy-free chocolate fosting over a bowl of more frosting and text over the image.
One chocolate frosted cupcake in a purple muffin liner with another cupcake, bowl of chocolate frosting and blue linen behind it and text over the image.
Two images with text the top image of a spoon of chocolate frosting and the bottom of a cupcake with frosting on top.

It's thick, sticky, and made with only four ingredients! This dairy-free chocolate frosting contains zero processed sugars and is the perfect option for cookies... or to lick off a spoon!

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Close up of a spoon with dairy-free chocolate fosting over a bowl of more frosting. this …

A simple, indulgent, dairy-free chocolate frosting made from minimal, real food ingredients.

Basically, as a Certified Nutrition Coach, this chocolate frosting is a healthy dessert that I can feel good about giving to my kids.

Given there's no powdered sugar or butter, it's a bit stickier than normal. However, that makes it all the more indulgent.

You're going to love this healthy chocolate frosting because it's:

  • Dairy-free, gluten-free, and paleo
  • Whipped up in just 5-minutes
  • Sweet but not too sweet

Basically, this dairy-free recipe is the everyday chocolate frosting you can feel good about!

Ingredients You Need

Cacao powder: not to be confused with cocoa powder (though it can be used), cacao powder is a nutrient-powerhouse! Loaded with calcium and antioxidants, cacao powder is a gold mine. Learn more about the difference between cocoa powder and cacao.

Cashew butter: any nut butter can work but it will alter the flavor slightly. Make sure to use new nut butter so that it's "runny" and not too thick.

Coconut cream: you only need a hint of it to smooth out the chocolate frosting and truthfully any dairy-free milk will work. The milk you choose will affect the consistency though.

Honey: this is used to sweeten the frosting but also to make the frosting thick and sticky (though you can make this into a vegan chocolate frosting!).

Multiple ingredients like maple syrup, cacao powder, and nut butter in measuring cups with text labels over them.

How To Make Dairy-Free Chocolate Frosting

  1. Add the ingredients to a bowl one by one.
  2. Use a fork to whisk the ingredients together until combined.
  3. Use immediately.

Step By Step Photos

Tan bowl with almond butter and coconut cream in it and a whisk behind it.
Cacao powder in a steel container being poured into a tan bowl with almond butter.
Tan bowl with chocolate frosting and a fork in it and a blue linen and cupcake behind it.

Important Teaching Tips & Notes

This frosting recipe is both light and thick. It does spread onto cookies or firm cupcakes. Thus, make sure your cookies are not too delicate!

Because the frosting is thick, it does not pipe well. This is not a "buttercream" kind of frosting. More fudge like.

Though here is a wicked dairy-free buttercream frosting if you need it (high in protein too!).

To thin the frosting, begin by adding more coconut cream to the recipe if you need to. Just add it in teaspoon by teaspoon until you reach your desired consistency. This will also make the frosting creamier.

This recipe does not and will not store in the fridge once made. It must be used immediately after making. Once in the fridge, it gets too hard.

Make sure to use runny nut butter to make the frosting, otherwise, the ingredients won't blend.

What To Use It For

  • cookie frosting (like these chocolate frosted cashew cookies)
  • to top cupcakes with
  • in smoothie bowls
  • to lick off a spoon and curb a craving
One chocolate frosted cupcake in a purple muffin liner with another cupcake, bowl of chocolate frosting and blue linen behind it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sticky Chocolate Frosting

How do I make the chocolate frosting nut free?

Cashew butter tends to be super creamy which gives the frosting a great texture. Other nut butters will alter the texture and the flavor. However, to make to frosting nut-free, use Sunbutter in its place. You may want to add a touch more honey to keep it sweet though.

Can I make vegan chocolate frosting?

You can make the healthy chocolate frosting vegan by replacing the honey with maple syrup. However, the vegan chocolate frosting flavor will be slightly less sweet (but still delicious). Similarly, the texture will be a bit thinner. I would recommend making sure to use coconut cream and not almond milk if you want to make vegan chocolate frosting.

Why doesn't this recipe use powdered sugar?

Though most frostings are based around powdered sugar, this is a healthier version. Since the frosting is sweetened with honey, there's no need for powdered sugar.

Other Dairy-Free Recipes You'll Love

  • Dairy-free chocolate truffles
  • Dairy-free caramel sauce
  • Candy cane fudge
  • Dairy-free cream cheese frosting
  • The BEST dairy-free brownies
  • White chocolate fudge
  • Peppermint patty bars
  • Fudgy protein brownies
  • Chocolate chip protein powder muffins
  • 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
One chocolate frosted cupcake in a purple muffin liner with another cupcake, bowl of chocolate frosting and blue linen behind it.

Dairy-Free Chocolate Frosting

fitasamamabear
A four-ingredient, dairy-free chocolate frosting recipe perfect for cookies and cupcakes!
5 from 15 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 0 mins
0 mins
Total Time 5 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 9 servings
Calories 56 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ⅛ cup cacao powder
  • 2 tbs honey
  • 3 tbs cashew butter
  • 4 teaspoon coconut cream

Instructions
 

  • Whisk all the ingredients together into a bowl until smooth.

Video

Notes

  • The dairy-free frosting makes about one and a quarter cup. The serving size is two tablespoons
  • With these amounts, the frosting only makes enough to frost about six- eight cookies. Double the batch depending on how much you need
  • If you need to make this frosting nut-free, simply sub Sun Butter for the cashew
  • If stored in the fridge, the frosting hardens. Thus, it's best used immediately
  • Cocoa powder works in place of cacao.
  • You want the creamy white part of canned coconut milk, not the runny watered down part.
Disclaimer:

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

Nutrition

Calories: 56kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 1gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 58mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 1mg
Keyword cacao powder, cashew butter, dairy-free chocolate frosting, easy chocolate frosting, Healthy Chocolate Frosting, paleo chocolate frosting
Have You Tried This Recipe?Please leave a star rating and comment below. Mention @fitasamamabear or tag #fitasamamabear!

One chocolate frosted cupcake in a purple muffin liner with another cupcake, bowl of chocolate frosting and blue linen behind it.

Use this healthy chocolate frosting in place of store-bought. It’s dairy-free, gluten-free, paleo, and the perfect topper to cookies and cakes.

It contains no processed sugars and it’s still decadent. Small swaps matter.

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. Janessa

    October 05, 2022 at 2:54 pm

    5 stars
    This frosting is so fudgy and indulgent! I made some chocolate zucchini loaf and wanted a frosting for the top and this was perfect!

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear

      October 06, 2022 at 1:55 pm

      Everyone needs a good frosting!

      Reply
  2. Nancy

    October 06, 2022 at 4:15 pm

    5 stars
    Can’t say no to 5 minutes guilt free frosting. Thanks

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear

      October 11, 2022 at 12:39 pm

      Right?>!

      Reply
  3. ChihYu

    October 06, 2022 at 10:54 pm

    5 stars
    This is the perfect frosting for everything! Full of chocolatey delicious goodness and no additives!

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear

      October 11, 2022 at 12:39 pm

      Can't go wrong with chocolate!

      Reply
  4. Donny

    October 08, 2022 at 8:32 am

    5 stars
    This is so good! I spread it on some paleo banana muffins and my whole family ate them all in minutes. So easy to make too!

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear

      October 11, 2022 at 12:39 pm

      Ohhh that would be delicious!

      Reply
  5. Stacey

    October 08, 2022 at 1:38 pm

    5 stars
    This is so simple & deliciously chocolaty! Perfect for spreading on some paleo graham crackers or cupcakes!

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear

      October 11, 2022 at 12:40 pm

      Omg anything on graham crackers is the best haha

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Coconut Almond Thumbprint Cookies: Healthy, Grain-Free, Paleo (video) says:
    09/11/2022 at 1:44 pm

    […] cookies make the perfect dessert for kids. These coconut almond thumbprint cookies are topped with chocolate frosting and thus have very little sugar in them! These grain-free cookies are chewy, light, and […]

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  2. Easy Homemade Frosting Recipes says:
    10/07/2022 at 9:53 am

    […] Chocolate Frosting from Fit As A Mama Bear. Only 4 ingredients are needed to make this tasty chocolate […]

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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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