This easy powdered sugar frosting without butter comes together quickly and works well on cupcakes, cookies, and brownies. The recipe card includes a cream cheese version and a separate dairy-free option.
Note: The recipe card below includes two butter-free versions. One is made with cream cheese and cream, so it contains dairy. The second version is completely dairy-free.
Homemade frosting is surprisingly easy to make. Most traditional recipes rely on powdered sugar, butter, milk or cream, and vanilla extract, but this page gives you two butter-free options.
If you ran out of butter—or need a dairy-free option—you have two versions to choose from below.
For the dairy-free version, use a non-dairy liquid such as plant-based milk, juice, coffee, or water.
This is a quick frosting that takes only a few minutes to mix. Vanilla is classic, but almond extract is another good option if you want a slightly different flavor.
Watch How to Make This Butter-Free Frosting
Jump to:
Liquids you can substitute the dairy for to make your frosting dairy-free:
- Any nut milk
- Freshly squeezed juice (orange juice, lemon juice or lime juice)
- Coffee or espresso
Extracts you could use to flavor your frosting besides vanilla:
- almond
- coffee
- orange
- mint
- hazelnut
- lemon
No-Butter Frosting for Cupcakes and Cookies
This powdered sugar frosting works especially well on cupcakes and soft sugar cookies when you want a thick, sweet topping that sets more firmly than a typical buttercream.
My favorite thing is how nicely it stiffens up so once your frosting is set, you can stack them or cover your cupcakes without worrying they will smear everywhere.
Note: This frosting is sweeter than a typical buttercream. If you prefer a less-sweet frosting, a traditional buttercream—or one made with dairy-free butter—may be a better fit.
Football Party Ideas
This frosting is perfect for decorating football themed cupcakes for game day. Use white frosting as the base and add football inspired decorations or piping for a fun dessert your guests will love. If you're hosting a full game day celebration, check out our Football Watch Party Ideas guide for football themed food, drinks, decorations, and easy hosting tips.
How to make your frosting super smooth:
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One thing I absolutely love about this confectioners sugar frosting recipe is how incredibly forgiving it is! Whether you are swirling it on with piping bags great for cupcakes
or spreading it smoothly across your cake, it is just so easy to work with. If you happen to mess up the frosting or dent it, you can easily fix it with some hot water and an offset spatula.
Pro tip: For a smoother finish, dip an offset spatula or butter knife in hot water, dry it well, then gently smooth the surface of the frosting.
Two Butter-Free Frosting Options
Neither version uses butter. The cream cheese version still contains dairy, while the second version is dairy-free. The dairy-free version is also the sweeter of the two.
Frosting FAQs
Yes, it will harden up enough for you to stack your cookies or take your cupcakes on the go without smearing everywhere. Depending on how thick your frosting is, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours as it cools and the moisture evaporates.
Store leftover frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use it within 3 to 4 days.
Yes. Just make sure to mix it very well!
Sift your powdered sugar before mixing in your cream and extract. Sifting the sugar removes small clumps and helps create a softer, smoother texture.
Warm the frosting in the microwave in 15- to 30-second intervals until it softens enough to spread.
Popular sweets you will LOVE this time of year:
EASY Powdered Sugar Vanilla Frosting (without butter)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Sift the powdered sugar if you want a smoother frosting.
- Add the powdered sugar, cream cheese, cream or milk, extract, and salt to a bowl. Mix with a stand mixer or hand mixer until smooth.
- Add to a piping bag or spread onto cupcakes, cookies, or brownies using an offset spatula. Read the notes below.
- Add all ingredients to a bowl and mix using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Mixing by hand is possible but takes more effort.
- If the frosting is too thick, add 1 teaspoon of liquid at a time until you reach the desired consistency. If it becomes too thin, add powdered sugar a little at a time.Add to a piping bag or spread onto cupcakes, cookies, or brownies using an offset spatula. Read the notes below.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- For a smoother finish, dip an offset spatula in hot water, dry it well, then gently smooth the frosting.
- Add a few drops of food coloring if you want a colored frosting.
- For the dairy-free version, liquid requirements can vary depending on whether you use non-dairy milk, water, juice, or coffee. Start conservatively and add more as needed.
- Store leftover frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Exact storage and setting guidance will be confirmed during the next recipe test.
- If refrigerated frosting is too firm to spread, let it soften briefly before using and stir well.
Amanda L.
The frosting with the cream cheese was so incredibly delicious and easy! I had no cream so I used 2 tablespoons of 1% milk and it turned out amazing. It was a perfect consistency to dip the cupcake into with no drips, and they set perfectly.
Doesn't matter don't add me to your mailing list
How can you call it "non Dairy" when it does contain two dairy ingredients??
Aleka Shunk
There are two options I mention in the post. One has dairy but the other does not.
Slayer
Scrumdidlyumptious yumzos
Aki
I was making cake pops and I realized I didn’t have butter (I used the butter in all in my cake.)Although I did have to quadruple the recipe. But thank you, you are a lifesaver!!
Dawn E
I needed a quick and easy glaze.. I only needed half the recipe but cutting the amounts were simple, whipped it all together with a wisk and had it in the cake in 7 minutes. Tastes perfect! Thank you!
Aleka Shunk
So glad you liked it!!
Anita Jackson
I normally make buttercream icing because my boyfriend likes white icing, and the butter is what makes it so great. He would eat white icing on a burrito if I let him! Anyway, to him, brownies are boring without icing. I had made brownies then realized that I had no butter in the house. This recipe is wonderful!
Aleka Shunk
So glad you liked it! Hopefully he does too! 🙂
Toby Cormier
That's funny cause I am doing the same EXACT thing & I also realized I had no butter, thank goodness for these recipes! I LOVE BROWNIES W ICING & I'M W HIM, I'D EAT ICING ON JUST ABOUT ANYTHING IF POSSIBLE! LOL
CHRISTINA
hi I want to ice a 3 tier round cakes 9" and do not want to use buttercream. Will your frosting stand up to layers and piping please... this is rather urgent for baby shower cake.
also how much icing does your recipe make please
Aleka Shunk
Hi Christina, I have not used it to ice a cake before so I am not sure of the exact amount you will need. I would at least triple the recipe. I imagine it will stand up just fine. If anything, you may need to add a little extra milk to thin it out so it spreads easier.
Anonymous
Hi! I'm curious about this frosting recipe, does cream cheese taste good? And do you have any alternatives, I want to make a bi coloured cake for me since it's pride month and I'm still new to this icing/frosting thing since I have always left my cakes/cupcakes plain.
Aleka Shunk
Hi Christina! Happy pride month! 🙂 Yes there are a lot of frosting recipes that use cream cheese as a base either WITH butter or in place of it. It's what makes cheesecake so yummy! 🙂 Without the cream cheese, the frosting may be a bit too sweet but it can be done. If you don't have cream cheese, you can use butter. And if you are looking for a vegan version, let me know!!
Roxxane
YOU ARE AWESOME
Aleka Shunk
Aw thank you Roxxane!
Lubna
Hello there,
my son's birthday is coming up and I'm planning to do his cake and he is a dairy free child, so I was wondering what should I subsitiute the cream cheese and the cream with?
Aleka Shunk
Hi Lubna, I added cream cheese to balance out the sweetness but you don't NEED the cream cheese, you could simply use just powdered sugar, vanilla and a nut milk or water to make it dairy-free. I have not frosted a cake with this but I would start with 3-4 cups of powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, then add 1 teaspoon of a nut milk or water. Mix it up. Continue to add 1 teaspoon of liquid until it is frosting consistency! (A little liquid goes a long way!) IT will be sweet but it works! You can also add a pinch of salt to balance some of the sweetness. Let me know how it turns out!!
Unique
Hi i am a young baker and enjot it what does the recpie mean when it says cream
Aleka Shunk
Hi there, it means to blend together until creamy! 🙂
Faith J.
Hi there, I am eager to try this. Jiffy doesn't make their white frosting mix anymore, which is my gold standard for taste. Buttercream frostings don't compare so I will try your recipe!
Aleka Shunk
Hi Faith! Oh boy, I hope it is comparable. Be sure to let me know! 🙂
Susan
Can use milk
Amy
I made this today and it was amazing!!! I needed to use more cream than the recipe called for, but it came out so good and my kids loved it!
Aleka Shunk
Hi Amy! I am so glad you liked it. Adding more cream cheese will make it a bit creamier and less sweet which is a great alternative! Thanks again for your comment!
Amia
Can I use thing icing for cakes
Aleka Shunk
I have used it for cupcakes so I don't see why not. Just keep in mind it will be a bit stiffer than most cake frostings. You can thin it out with more milk if you want.
Lola Ferrillo
AMAZING!!!! BEST FROSTING IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Aleka Shunk
I am SO glad you like it Lola! 🙂
AMAZING!!!!
I just love this frosting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Its amazing and great for wedding cakes!
My sister had a wedding and loved the taste of this frosting and wanted cupcakes on the wedding cake as well!!!
Aleka Shunk
Thank you so much for your comment! I am so thrilled everyone loved it! 🙂
Eresa Lee
How many cupcakes can this recipe frost?
Aleka Shunk
Hi Eresa! This recipe can moderately frost approx. 6 cupcakes.
Cecilia
Would this work for decorating with a piping bag too?
Aleka Shunk
Hi Cecilia, If you notice in the photo, I used a piping bag with star tip to frost the cupcakes. If you want to use a tip that's smaller than that, it MIGHT be difficult to pipe since this frosting is thicker than your normal 'icing'. If you have success, please let me know!! 🙂
Aby
I love this idea! AMAZING!!!!!
Aleeya Mahina Cantor-Charles
ok, weirdest tasting frosting recipe I've ever tried but strangely adictive ?
Aleka Shunk
Lol, I am assuming you used the almond extract? It is definitely unique since most frostings are made with vanilla flavoring but you can use any extract you wish. 🙂
Aleka Shunk
Thank you for your comment Danielle! I can only imagine how delicious it was with red velvet cake!
Danielle Floyd
You are a life saver. I did't have butter and I had to hurry up and make a vanilla icing. And the cake was for my brother. THANK YOU SO MUCH!???????????
Aleka Shunk
Aw thanks Danielle for your sweet comment! I am so glad it worked out for you!
FarFar
Quick question. I came across this recipe and was reading that it was vegan friendly, but then jumped to the recipe and saw Cream Cheese. I can make this frosting without butter or any expensive vegan cream cheese??
Aleka Shunk
Hi there! I updated the recipe recently which included cream cheese to make it LESS sweet. With that said, if you want to make it vegan friendly, you STILL can. You would leave out the cream cheese and would just need to use more butter. I will repost with those exact measurements soon!! Sorry about the confusion.