Ever feel the frosting blues because you can’t use dairy in your recipes, thanks to cottage food regulations or dietary restrictions? Well, my friends, worry no more! This is your new go-to for chocolaty, butter-free frosting.
This easy recipe for chocolate buttercream frosting is dairy-free, using butter-flavored Crisco instead of traditional butter. It’s not just the perfect frosting for chocolate cupcakes and red velvet cupcakes, but it’s also great for frosting sugar cookies.
For the vanilla version of this recipe, check out my Shelf Stable Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Recipe.
Your Go-To Icing Recipe: No Butter Needed!
Creating a silky and delicious, dairy-free frosting doesn’t have to be a dream anymore. Whether this is your first time or you’re an old hand at frosting cakes, this recipe guarantees a smooth texture and irresistibly chocolaty taste. It’s your ticket to chocolate frosting that’ll have customers and family members alike asking for more.
Simple Ingredients = Unbeatable Taste
The secret to this frosting’s irresistible flavor lies in choosing top-notch ingredients. To maximize that deep chocolate richness, I recommend opting for Dutch cocoa powder—Ghirardelli Premium Dutch Process Baking Cocoa is my go-to.
I love the creamy texture of American buttercream. To make a dairy-free and cottage food-friendly version, I swapped out the butter for my secret ingredient: butter-flavored Crisco.
Here’s What You Need to Make this Easy Frosting Recipe
The printable recipe card can be found at the bottom of this post.
- Butter-Flavored Crisco
- Powdered Sugar
- Cocoa Powder
- Water (or plant-based milk)
- Vanilla Extract
- Salt
Affiliate Disclosure: I may earn a small commission through affiliate links in this post, but I only recommend products that I have tested and used myself.
Step-by-Step Tutorial
This recipe makes 4 cups of frosting, which is enough to decorate 24 cupcakes piped with a tall swirl, or a double layer, 6-inch birthday cake.
Step One: Get Everything Ready
Get your large mixing bowl and hand mixer or electric mixer ready. Sift the confectioners’ sugar and cocoa powder together to remove any lumps.
Step Two: Mix Away!
Place your butter-flavored Crisco in the large bowl, and using your hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix until you achieve a fluffy texture.
Step Three: Combine The Goodies
Alternate adding in the powdered sugar and cocoa powder mix with the water while mixing at low speed. Want a thicker consistency for your frosting? Start with 3 Tbsp water and add a little bit more water as needed.
Step Four: Adjust the Flavor
Now just adjust the flavors to suit your taste. I always add a pinch of salt to my traditional buttercream recipe because it brings out the flavors of the butter.
In this recipe, I increased the salt just a bit more to offset the Crisco’s mouth feel. I also doubled the amount of real vanilla extract to create a more complex flavor.
Recipe Notes
To ensure you get a fluffy frosting, make sure to whip it well, incorporating a lot of air during the mixing.
Some of My Favorite Flavor Variations:
Almond Extract– Adds a delicious “bakery” flavor to the frosting.
LorAnn Cheesecake Emulsion– gives this recipe a delicious chocolate cream cheese icing flavor.
Plant-Based Milk– Replace the water with full-fat canned coconut milk for a richer flavor.
Storage Tips
This frosting can be mixed in bulk and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for later use. Perfect for busy cottage food bakers juggling multiple orders!
Recommended Tools
- Electric or Hand Mixer
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Piping Bag
Shelf Stable Chocolate Icing Recipe: No Butter
Equipment
- Hand-held electric mixer
- Large mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 1 cup Butter-Flavored Crisco
- 4 cups Confectioners Sugar
- 1/2 cup Dutch-Processed Cocoa Powder
- 6 Tbsp. Water
- 1/4 tsp. Salt
Instructions
- Sift the confectioners’ sugar and cocoa powder together to remove any lumps.
- Place your butter-flavored Crisco in the large bowl, and using your hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix until you achieve a fluffy texture.
- Alternate adding in the powdered sugar and cocoa powder mix with the water while mixing at low speed. Want a thicker consistency for your frosting? Start with 3 Tbsp water and add a little bit more water as needed.
- Now just adjust the flavors to suit your taste. I always add a pinch of salt to my traditional buttercream recipe because it brings out the flavors of the butter. In this recipe, I increased the salt just a bit more to offset the Crisco's mouth feel. I also doubled the amount of real vanilla extract to create a more complex flavor.
Related Recipes from My Blog
Easy Dairy-Free Sugar Cookie Recipe
Shelf Stable Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Recipe
Want a frosting with less sugar? Check out this delicious creamy ermine frosting recipe.
The Ideal Icing Recipe No Butter Needed!
Next time you need a dairy-free chocolate frosting recipe, give this a try. It’s sure to become your new favorite frosting! If you’ve tried this recipe, I would love a 5-star rating below! And if you’re planning to give this a go, drop me a comment and let me know what you’re planning to decorate with it!