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Vegan Lavender Buttercream

A light, floral, and versatile vegan buttercream frosting perfect for various baked goods, infused with culinary lavender for a sophisticated touch.
Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Baking, Dessert
Cuisine: Floral, Vegan
Calories: 150

Ingredients
  

For the lavender infusion
  • 1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender Use culinary-grade only
  • 2 tablespoons dairy-free milk (almond, oat, or soy) Unsweetened varieties are recommended
For the buttercream
  • 125 grams dairy-free butter, softened Stick-style butter is easiest to whip
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract Pure vanilla extract recommended
  • 3–4 cups sifted icing (confectioners’) sugar Adjust for desired sweetness and consistency
  • 1 pinch salt To taste
  • Gel food coloring Optional - use small amounts for tinting

Method
 

Infusion
  1. Combine the dried lavender and dairy-free milk in a small jar or bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight for a deeper infusion.
Preparation
  1. Strain the milk through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth. Discard the lavender solids and keep the infused milk chilled.
  2. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened dairy-free butter and vanilla for 1–2 minutes with a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until light and creamy.
  3. Add 2 cups of sifted icing sugar and mix on medium until combined. Scrape down the bowl.
  4. Add another cup of icing sugar and continue mixing. As the mixture thickens, add the lavender-infused milk a little at a time until you reach a thick, creamy consistency.
  5. If frosting is too thin or tastes too ‘buttery’, beat in an extra ½–1 cup of icing sugar. If too thick, add a splash more dairy-free milk.
  6. Add a pinch of salt to balance sweetness and a few drops of gel food coloring if using. Beat until super creamy and smooth.
Storage
  1. Store covered in the fridge for up to 5–7 days. Bring to room temperature and re-whip briefly before using to restore pipeability.
  2. For longer storage, freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bring to room temperature and beat until creamy before piping.

Notes

For a tangier frosting, substitute up to 25 g of the butter with a dairy-free cream-cheese alternative.