Delicious Butter-free Vegan Icing
Icing is simple. All you need is 1 cup of fat, to 4 cups of icing sugar and whatever flavouring you like. I tried multiple combinations of different ingredients, and came up with the perfect recipe for Vegan Icing. However, since the science of an icing recipe is so simple you can change up this recipe how you like. I like the flavour and consistency of Earth Balance Vegan butter, but if you prefer you can make your own from scratch to avoid palm oil and preservatives. As for the flavour of buttercream... don't get me started! This is a base recipe for vanilla icing, but you can transform it into endless combinations of flavours.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup Room temp. Vegan Butter
3/4 cup Vegetable Shortening
1 1/4 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1/2 tsp. Butter Flavour
3-6 tsp. water
4 cups Icing Sugar
Pinch of Salt
Directions:
You want to start off by creaming together your shortening and vegan butter on medium speed for 2min. Add in your salt, vanilla, and butter flavour and mix until incorporated. Add in half of the icing sugar and 2 tsp of water. Mix on low speed until combined, then mix on high speed for 2 min. Add in remaining icing sugar and 1 tsp of water, mix on low speed until combined, then mix on high speed for 3 min. If icing seems too stiff add additional water.
*Water should be adjusted according to climate. If there is a lot of humidity in the air only add in 3 tsp of water. If you are making icing in the winter and it is very cold, you might need to add in all 6 tsp. of water to achieve the desired consistency.
Store in air tight container at room temperature. Makes approximately three cups of icing.
For a beautiful lemon buttercream try adding in lemon juice in place of the water. Want a little more citrus?? Add in some fresh lemon zest to really kick this icing up a notch!
For a delicious chocolate buttercream, add in 1/3 cup of cocoa powder, and 1/3 cup melted vegan chocolate. Whip it up and enjoy!
Who doesn't LOVE peanut butter?!?! For a simple yummy peanut butter icing, just add in 1/2 cup of creamy peanut butter. That's it! Super easy!