Vegan Ermine Frosting Recipe (2024)

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5 from 18 votes

40 minutes minutes

by Marly

30

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An old-fashioned frosting is given a modern twist with this vegan ermine frosting, made with only six ingredients. Also referred to as boiled milk frosting, you’ll love the soft and creamy texture that’s perfect as a filling between cake layers or frosting on cupcakes, etc. This frosting isn’t as sweet as some, which is why serving vegan red velvet cake with ermine frosting is so popular.

Vegan Ermine Frosting Recipe (1)

I love this creamy frosting more than I probably should. But there’s something about it spread over a cake (or in between layers) that screams comfort food in the very best way possible! This is an old-fashioned ermine buttercream recipe, but it has a new twist thanks to being veganized.

Table of Contents show

What Makes This Recipe Shine?

  • Flour is used as a thickener in this cooked flour frosting, creating the perfect creamy consistency
  • Granulated sugar is cooked with milk and flour, leaving out the powdered sugar, which can make frosting recipes so sweet
  • Vegan butter is whipped until light and fluffy creating the perfect foundation for this whipped frosting recipe

Key Ingredients

You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe, including substitution ideas:

  • Flour — I recommend using all-purpose flour.
  • Granulated sugar
  • Plant-based milk — I recommend using soy milk because it has a protein content similar to cow dairy. You can substitute almond milk.
  • Vegan Butter — I recommend a high-quality vegan butter, like Earth Balance buttery sticks, Miyoko’s, or make your own dairy-free butter. You can make ermine frosting with shortening by substituting an equal amount of vegetable shortening.
  • Salt — Use either table or sea salt.
  • Vanilla extract

How to Make Ermine Frosting

  1. Cook the flour and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Stir in the vegan milk.
  3. Cook and stir until the mixture becomes thick.
  4. Cover it with plastic wrap touching the surface, and refrigerate until completely cool.
  5. Whip butter on medium-high speed until light and fluffy.
  6. Spoon in the cooled flour mixture, a spoonful at a time, while mixing to incorporate.
  7. Add the vanilla and salt.
  8. Whip on medium-high until the frosting is light and fluffy.

Here are more detailed step-by-step instructions.

Step One: Cook Flour Mixture

  1. Whisk together the sugar, flour, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes to toast the flour.
    Vegan Ermine Frosting Recipe (2)
  2. Pour in the vegan milk and use a whisk or spatula to stir it in.
  3. Continue stirring as the mixture comes slowly to a low boil and thickens. Don’t turn up the heat, or you’ll risk burning it.
  4. It’s thick enough that a spoon or spatula leaves a trail.
    Vegan Ermine Frosting Recipe (3)
  5. Transfer it to a heat-proof bowl, cover it with plastic wrap touching the surface (to prevent a skin from forming), and refrigerate until completely cool.
    Vegan Ermine Frosting Recipe (4)

Step Two: Whip the Frosting

  1. Once the flour mixture is cool, add the butter to a mixing bowl and mix on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, around 2 minutes.
  2. Turn the mixer speed down to medium and spoon in the cooled flour mixture, a spoonful at a time, mixing to incorporate it until adding more.
    Vegan Ermine Frosting Recipe (5)
  3. Continue adding the flour mixture, one spoonful at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl regularly.
    Vegan Ermine Frosting Recipe (6)
  4. Once all the flour mixture is added and mixed, add the vanilla, turn up the speed to medium-high, and whip for up to a minute, until the frosting is light and fluffy.

Serving Suggestions

You can use this frosting immediately on a cooled cake, such as this Suzy Q Cake. Otherwise, see the tips below for storing it.

Here are some favorite cakes to serve with vegan ermine frosting:

Storage Tips

Store ermine frosting in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. When you’re ready to use it, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, then use a mixer to whip it again to make sure it’s light and fluffy. You can freeze this frosting in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to use it, thaw it overnight in the fridge, then follow the tip above to whip it again.

Vegan Ermine Frosting Recipe (10)

Frequently-Asked Questions

Why is my frosting grainy?

You should bring the flour mixture and/or butter to room temperature before combining the ingredients, otherwise, you’ll be left with grainy frosting. However, if your frosting is grainy, you can fix it by whipping it a little longer than usual.

Why is it called ermine?

An ermine is actually a mammal that has a soft, white winter coat. This frosting is named after this wild creature because of the similarity in color and softness. It is an old-fashioned frosting that was more widely used before the availability of other frosting ingredients, such as powdered sugar and cream cheese.

Is ermine frosting good for piping?

Yes, you can pipe boiled flour frosting by adding it to a piping bag using your favorite tips. Use organic gel food coloring to add creative colors to your frosting to decorate cakes for parties and more.

Vegan Frosting Favorites

This vegan ermine frosting is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to vegan frosting recipes. Here are even more you’ll enjoy:

Avocado Frosting

7 mins total

Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting

20 mins total

Vegan Royal Icing

15 mins total

Vegan Raspberry Frosting

15 mins total

Vegan Chocolate Frosting

10 mins total

Vegan Ermine Frosting Recipe (17)

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Vegan Ermine Frosting Recipe (18)

Vegan Ermine Frosting Recipe (19)

Vegan Ermine Frosting

This creamy vegan ermine frosting is perfect over cupcakes, vegan red velvet cake, or even with this homemade Suzy Q Cake! It's not as sweet as some frosting, so you can use it as a generous filling between cake layers.

5 from 18 votes

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 14

Calories: 202kcal

Author: Marly McMillen

Ingredients

  • cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup plant-based milk
  • 1 cup vegan butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Whisk together the sugar, flour, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes to toast the flour.

  • Pour in the vegan milk and use a whisk or spatula to stir it in.

  • Continue stirring as the mixture comes slowly to a low boil and thickens. Don't turn up the heat, or you'll risk burning it. Once it's thick enough that a spoon leaves a trail, transfer it to a heat-proof bowl, cover it with waxed paper touching the surface (to prevent a skin from forming), and refrigerate until completely cool.

  • Once the flour mixture is cool, add the butter to a mixing bowl and mix on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, around 2 minutes.

  • Turn the mixer speed down to medium and spoon in the cooled flour mixture, a spoonful at a time, mixing to incorporate it until adding more. You'll need to scrape down the sides of the bowl regularly.

  • Once all the flour mixture is added and mixed, add the vanilla, turn up the speed to medium-high, and whip for up to a minute, until the frosting is light and fluffy.

  • You can use this frosting immediately on a cooled cake. Otherwise, cover the frosting and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days. When you're ready, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, then use a mixer to whip it aga¼in to make sure it's light and fluffy. You can freeze this frosting in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months. When you're ready to use it, thaw it overnight in the fridge, then follow the tip above to whip it again.

Recommended Equipment

Electric Mixer

Cake Pans

Spatula

(The products above contain sponsored links to products we use and recommend)

Notes

You can substitute vegetable shortening for the vegan butter.

You can use soy milk, almond milk, or even coconut milk for this recipe.

For chocolate ermine frosting, add ¼ cup cocoa powder after the flour mixture has been incorporated and mix until light and fluffy.

Be sure to let the flour mixture cool completely before adding it to the whipped butter.

Calories: 202kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 2g | Sodium: 49mg | Potassium: 25mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 36IU | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a rating below then tag @namelymarly on Instagram and hashtag it #namelymarly. I love seeing your creations!

Vegan Ermine Frosting Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why does my Ermine frosting look grainy? ›

My Icing Curdled! If your ermine frosting looks curdled, split, or grainy, the most likely problem is that either your butter was too cold or your flour mixture was too cold.

Does ermine frosting harden in the fridge? ›

If you're decorating with the frosting and it starts to get soft and greasy, pop it in the refrigerator until it cools down a bit and firms up, 10-30 minutes.

Does Ermine frosting pipe well? ›

It pipes wonderfully and has an excellent smooth feel when it comes out of the tip, which translates to lovely sharp designs. For this, Ermine frosting got a 5/5.

Is ermine frosting better than buttercream? ›

Ermine frosting can be traced back to the 1800s and was the frosting used on mahogany cake – otherwise known as the OG red velvet. One of the main pros of this buttercream is that it uses way less sugar and butter than its popular buttercream cousin, the typical American buttercream.

How do you get lumps out of Ermine frosting? ›

Pain Points of a flour-based Buttercream.

If you've completed the recipe and your mix still looks a little lumpy or grainy, mix a bit more until it becomes smooth. You can over-whip it, though so watch for that. Overwhipping can cause the butter to soften too much; to avoid that chill it in the fridge.

Which vegan butter is best for frosting? ›

Vegan buttercream frosting ingredients

I recommend Miyoko's vegan butter for the best all around vegan butter. for a nut-free vegan butter option. Other great options include Flora Plant Butter, and Earth Balance. More on which butter brand to use below!

How do you fix grainy vegan frosting? ›

That's right - you NEED the vegan butter to be room temperature before you start working with it. If you've ever made vegan buttercream and it's split or gone grainy, this is most likely the reason why. Get it nice and soft, then whack your vegan butter in the stand mixer and beat like crazy until smooth.

How do you fix separated Ermine frosting? ›

My Ermine Buttercream is curdled:

Keep whipping a little bit, and it might come together. If it's still not come together, all you have to do is warm it up a bit: – Place the bowl briefly over a pot with simmering water. – Some people warm the sides of the bowl with a hairdryer.

Can you add food coloring to ermine frosting? ›

Add Bubblegum flavour and salt and beat until buttercream looks thick, smooth, and creamy, about 3 minutes. Add Food Colour Gel and mix until desired shade is achieved.

How to thicken frosting without powdered sugar or cornstarch? ›

Gelatin If you don't want to add any sweetness to your frosting, pour a flavorless gelatin packet into warm or cold water. When the gelatin has dissolved, pour it bit by bit into your frosting. Then, stick the frosting in your refrigerator until it thickens up. Try to use gelatin in cold water.

What frosting do professionals use for cakes? ›

Swiss meringue buttercream is a favorite among many cake decorators because of its smooth finish on the outside cakes and its ability to hold piping detail.

Why is my Ermine frosting too thin? ›

If your ermine frosting is too runny, check the temperature. If it's a warm day, the butter may have been too warm before mixing, causing the frosting to become less stable. Softened butter should land around 65 to 70°F for best results.

What kind of frosting do most bakeries use? ›

Buttercream frostings rely on the main ingredient of butter and will be the most common type of frosting you will find in a bakery.

Why is my Ermine buttercream grainy? ›

If your buttercream ends up with a grainy texture, don't worry. There are simple steps you can take to fix it. Usually it is grainy from the sugar not dissolving into the butter properly. One easy fix is to re-whip the frosting, preferably with the paddle attachment, on medium speed until it becomes smoother.

Why is it called ermine frosting? ›

Flour frosting feels as soft, fluffy, and luxurious as a billowing fur coat, which is perhaps how it came to be called "ermine frosting" in some parts of the country, where it's the traditional finish for a red velvet cake.

Is ermine frosting stable in hot weather? ›

Plus, it's so much easier to make than its meringue-based buttercream cousins.” The cooked flour base also makes the icing more stable and less prone to melting in warm weather. Spice cake with a swoop of ermine icing.

Does icing with milk need to be refrigerated? ›

No, even if you use milk in your icing. The small amount of milk is stabilized by the large amount of sugar and is considered safe at room temperature for two to three days. Always refrigerate any cake with a frosting that contains eggs or egg whites, or one that has whipped-cream frosting or any type of filling.

How much icing is needed for 24 cupcakes? ›

One recipe makes about 2 cups of icing, enough to ice an 8 or 9-inch round cake; a 13 x 9-inch sheet cake; or about 24 cupcakes. Customize: Can be customized with flavor extracts or food coloring; for added flavor, try our Chocolate or Strawberry versions!

What do vegan bakers use instead of butter? ›

Coconut oil is a delicious vegan alternative to butter as it behaves similarly to butter compared to other oils. It solidifies when cool and melts at room temperature, making it very versatile. If you use unrefined coconut oil, you can expect a more distinctive taste, but refined coconut oil is basically flavourless.

Why is my vegan buttercream runny? ›

If you're not adding enough sugar, your buttercream won't be stable enough to hold its shape for long. If you're adding a little plant-based milk to thin the buttercream when frosting a cake, you might be adding too much of it, again, making it too unstable.

Which vegan cream cheese is best for frosting? ›

Searching for the perfect product for your vegan cream cheese frosting? Violife Original Cream Cheese is just what you're looking for. And for those of you seeking a tasty bagel schmear, the vegan cream cheese brand also offers several flavored spreads including Strawberry, Chive, and Original.

Why does my royal icing taste grainy? ›

Be sure to hydrate with warm water to completely dissolve the powder; otherwise, your icing may end up gritty.

Why is my cooked icing grainy? ›

If your frosting tend to be too warm or too cold it will appear grainy or chunky. Take note on the milk adding in have to be in room temperature as well. Click here for more piping technique.

How to fix grainy cream cheese frosting? ›

Your butter may have been too cold, or you didn't mix it enough. I let the butter whip a solid five minutes at least before adding any other elements, and then whip/beat the sugar in one cup at a time for about a minute each. Add some cream little by little if it's still grainy.

Why is my glaze grainy? ›

If you are getting a grainy, rough or matte surface on your clear glaze, it is often caused by either a thin application of clear glaze or an underfiring of the glaze.

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