Name: Vegan Chocolate Fudge Frosting
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 16
Cuisine: Gluten Free
Ingredients: 1/3 cup dairy free butter; 3-4 tablespoons dairy free milk, divided; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1/3 cup cacao powder or cocoa powder; 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

This vegan chocolate fudge frosting recipe is the best brownie frosting! rich, fudgy and just five ingredients, it will be your favorite too.

recipe originally published December 18, 2010

TABLE OF CONTENTS - Jump to any section:

1. Vegan chocolate fudge frosting
2. How to make this frosting
3. Icing vs. Frosting - make this two ways!
4. Vegan frosted brownies
5. Storage tips
6. Vegan Chocolate Fudge Frosting Recipe

Quick, easy, and delicious

This vegan chocolate fudge frosting recipe is our go to for a reason: it is rich and delicious! Changing the amount of one ingredient easily changes the consistency, from a pourable, glossy icing for a sheet cake or brownies t0 a stiff frosting to pipe or spread.

To make this frosting, you need just five ingredients, a hand mixer (or a whisk and strong arm!), and brownies or cake to frost!

How to make this recipe

To make this chocolate fudge frosting, I recommend a hand mixer. If you do not have one, you can whip this with a whisk. If using a whisk and arm power, soften the butter to room temperature before you begin.

In addition to a hand mixer (or whisk), you will need a medium size bowl and a spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl as you go.

Vegan chocolate fudge frosting has just five ingredients. It is so incredibly delicious, you will want this over store bought. You probably have all the ingredients, and it takes just a few minutes. You can quickly mix this frosting recipe while waiting for the cake / brownies to cool!

Thick or thin - two ways to make this recipe

The recipe as written results in a glossy icing that is pourable. (As written, this is the best brownie frosting, and is what you see in the brownie images here.)

If you are looking for a stiffer or pipe-able frosting, similar to a store bought tub, follow this recipe and add more powdered sugar for a thicker frosting. I like this style of frosting on this snack cake.

Start with another ½ cup of powdered sugar, and continue adding by the ½ cup until you reach your desired consistency. (The frosting on the cupcakes is another 1 ½ cups powdered sugar.)

Vegan frosted brownies

This is the best brownie frosting recipe! Brownies are delicious on their own, but if you want an extra layer of tasty, pour on this fudgy goodness.

Start with your favorite brownie recipe.
Bake and cool completely.
Whip up this vegan chocolate fudge frosting.
¼ teaspoon peppermint extract (optional for festive holiday brownies)
Spread on completely cooled brownies.
Top with crushed candy cane pieces (holiday festive!) or your favorite topping: chocolate chips, nuts, toffee pieces.

How long does this last?

Vegan chocolate fudge frosting can be made ahead if needed. When refrigerated, it is good for 3-4 days. Transfer to a freezer safe container if you have leftover frosting you want to save (I freeze frosting in freezer bags.)

I keep it in the bowl (sides scraped down) or an airtight container. To prevent the frosting from drying, press a piece of plastic wrap over the entire surface.

You can also fill the piping bag and store it that way, or transfer to a plastic baggie.

Did you make this recipe?

Follow spabettie on Instagram and tag us with #spabettie
We love seeing your recipe photos and remakes - thank you!

Yield: 16 servings

Vegan Chocolate Fudge Frosting

This chocolate fudge frosting recipe is the best brownie and cake frosting! Rich, fudgy and just five ingredients, it will be your favorite too.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

⅓ cup dairy free butter
3-4 tablespoons dairy free milk, divided
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
⅓ cup cacao powder or cocoa powder
1 ½ cups powdered sugar

Instructions

Add butter, 3 tablespoons milk, and vanilla to a large mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer and starting at low speed, combine until smooth.
Add cocoa powder and mix until smooth, scraping sides of bowl with a spatula as needed.
Add about half of the powdered sugar. Start mixing on the lowest setting (so dry powdered sugar doesn't fly out of the bowl) and increase speed as everything is incorporated.
Add the remaining powdered sugar and continue mixing until fully combined.
Add more milk by the tablespoon as needed.
Mix on high speed until smooth, scraping sides of bowl as needed.
Spread or pipe onto completely cooled brownies, cupcakes, and cake.
See recipe notes for thinner frosting and stiff, pipable frosting.

Notes

dairy, egg, soy and gluten free, vegan recipe

Thick or thin - two ways to make this recipe:

The recipe as written results in a glossy icing that is almost pourable. (This frosting is what is on the brownies in these photos.)

If you are looking for more of a spreadable or pipe-able frosting, similar to a store bought tub or stiffer, follow this recipe and add more powdered sugar for a thicker frosting.

Start with another ½ cup of powdered sugar, and continue adding by the ½ cup until you reach your desired consistency. (The frosting on the cupcakes is another 1 ½ cups powdered sugar.)

Vegan frosted brownies recipe: