A few days ago I shared my dairy-free chocolate cupcakes with the promise of sharing the buttercream (can you call it BUTTERcream if it’s dairy-free? what do you think?) to go on top.
As with the cupcakes, this buttercream gets it’s really chocolatey flavour from using a combination of both cocoa powder and real melted chocolate (dairy-free of course) in the mix and as with the cupcakes, you’d have no idea it was dairy-free unless you’re told – it’s delicious.
To get the dairy-free buttercream to have the same smooth texture as regular buttercream, I’ve used a combination of Pure Sunflower (a dairy-free spread) and Stork Baking Block. The Pure Sunflower is quite soft so can be used straight from the fridge, but as with butter, the baking block is hard and so it’s best to leave it out for an hour or so before you plan to use it to allow it to soften, otherwise you’ll end up with lumpy buttercream. I do find it slightly harder to get the lumps out compared to when I use butter, so make sure you beat the two spreads together really well before adding any sugar.
At this point I must say thanks to Midge who blogs at The Peachicks Bakery for recommending the half margarine, half baking block combination (although she uses Vitalite rather than Pure). As regular readers will know, I’m no dairy-free baking expert so if you’re looking for more dairy-free recipes and cooking tips take a look at my dairy-free cupcakes where I’ve got a list of places you can look for more recipes.
If you don’t fancy chocolate buttercream then you could easily adapt my coffee and vanilla buttercreams to be dairy-free by simply switching the butter in the recipe for half baking block and half dairy-free margarine. These recipes also call for you to to add a little milk to the mix to get the consistency right. For this simply switch the milk for a dairy-free alternative.
Dairy-Free Chocolate Buttercream
This dairy-free (and vegan) chocolate buttercream is so deliciously rich you’d never guess it doesn’t contain any dairy. Perfect for topping my dairy-free chocolate cupcakes.
Makes enough icing for 12 cupcakes or to fill and coat a 2-layer 20cm round cake.
Ingredients
- 125 g dairy-free margarine I use Pure Sunflower
- 125 g baking block I use Stork – soft, at room temperature
- 250 g icing sugar
- 150 g dairy-free dark chocolate
- 40 g cocoa powder
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
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Break the chocolate (150g) into pieces and melt it (either using short bursts in the microwave – stirring regularly, over the lowest possible heat in a saucepan – stirring constantly, or in a bain marie – stirring constantly).
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Once melted remove it from the heat and pour into another bowl (this will help it to cool as it needs to be back to room temperature before mixing with the buttercream).
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Beat together the dairy-free margarine (125g) and baking block (125g) until soft (it can take a bit of time to get it really smooth but persevere to ensure you get perfect buttercream). Add the vanilla extract (¼ tsp), cocoa powder (40g) and icing sugar (250g) and beat until fully combined (it’s easier to avoid the cocoa powder and sugar flying everywhere if you add it a spoonful at a time).
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Once the chocolate has cooled to room temperature (DO NOT add the chocolate when it’s still warm as it’ll melt the butter and your buttercream will end up too runny) pour it into the buttercream and beat until fully combined. You should find that the buttercream is soft and spreadable.
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Your buttercream is now ready to use.
Recipe Notes
You can find the recipe for my dairy-free chocolate cupcakes here.
Have you tried this recipe? Please leave a comment and rating at the bottom of the page to let others know what you thought.
Free From/Suitable For…
- Suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans
- Dairy-Free
- Egg-Free
- Gluten-Free
- Nut-Free
- Soy-Free
The ingredients for this recipe are easily available free from all these allergens. However, please ensure you double-check allergen information for all ingredients.
Should the buttercreamed cake/cupcakes go in the fridge or are they ok at room temperature?
Ideally the should be stored in the fridge but they should be fine at room temperature if the room isn’t too warm (I always keep mine in a cool room as my fridge is tiny and they’ve always lasted well).
If you have any butter icing left over how long would this be kept in the fridge for before it goes off ?
Icing tends to be best used fresh as it crusts over and is tricky to use if you leave it in the fridge.
Hi Charlotte
Thanks for the recipe, it looks great and I’m definitely going to try it out. Would you have any tips on getting the consistency of the buttercream just right for pipping rosettes? I really need it to be able to hold it’s shape for as long as possible.
Any tips would be great!
I found that adding the melted chocolate gives it just the right consistency for piping. If you find it’s a little stiff the add a small amount of dairy-free milk and that will help to get it to the right consistency.
Thanks so much for the recipe – these were delicious! Do you think I could substitute with GF self-raising flour for the same result?
I’ve not tried it but it should be fine.
Can you help as to what a a baking block is please?
It’s this https://www.tesco.com/groceries/product/details/?id=254263443.
I am from Tasmania, Australia and have not heard of baking block. Can you inform me please.
This is what I used https://www.tesco.com/groceries/product/details/?id=254263443. I’m not too sure if it’s available in Australia or what a suitable equivalent would be.
I am always so relieved that we can eat dairy in GF HQ….. I think it must be so much harder to cut out than gluten! But if there are cakes like this on offer, maybe it is less of a hardship than I imagine! x
I’d imagine they are both tricky in their own way, although looking at the backs of packs it seems to be sneaked into pretty much everything. For me the really tricky one to get rid of in baking is eggs, it’s something I’m still working to perfect.
They look lovely and perfectly made! I am tempted!
They look super delicious. My youngest teen has become sensitive to dairy so these sound wonderful. Elinor x
I hope he enjoys them x
Or she (I realised I didn’t know!)
Ooh those look delicious! Yum who doesn’t love a good chocolate cake! Glad the half & half worked out well, I just find it makes the pure/Vitalite more stable. X
Thanks for the tips Midge. I think the Pure adds a nicer flavour too, it’s just far too soft on it’s own.