Vegan Tofu Frosting

Written by
Jolinda Hackett
Jolinda Hackett has written five books about plant-based cooking and has developed hundreds of vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Jolinda Hackett
Updated 08/17/19
Fat free vegan tofu frosting recipe

​The Spruce Eats / Emily Hawkes
  • Total: 5 mins
  • Prep: 5 mins
  • Cook: 0 mins
  • Yield: 1 bowl (4 servings)
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
149 Calories
7g Fat
12g Carbs
12g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1 bowl (4 servings)
Amount per serving
Calories 149
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 7g 9%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 10mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 12g 4%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Protein 12g
Calcium 385mg 30%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Tofu probably is not the first thing that comes to mind when you think dessert! But with a mild flavor and texture that lends itself well to thickening, tofu frosting can be a great alternative to super sugary, dairy based frostings that are usually used on cakes.

This is a creamy vegan tofu frosting recipe made with tofu as a base and with a reduced amount of sugar to keep it a bit healthier. Plus, it's nearly fat-free since there's no margarine or butter used. No cooking is needed; just add all the ingredients to a blender and purée. You can also add a bit of food coloring and flavor extracts to make different colors and flavors. Try a drop of green food coloring with some mint extract, for example. 

Ingredients

  • 1 pound silken tofu (patted dry)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 4 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for tofu frosting
    ​The Spruce Eats / Emily Hawkes

  2. Place the silken tofu, lemon juice, powdered sugar and vanilla in a blender or food processor.

    Tofu and lemon juice
    ​The Spruce Eats / Emily Hawkes

  3. Purée until very smooth.

    Puree
    ​The Spruce Eats / Emily Hawkes

  4. Use to frost your favorite vegan cake or cupcake. Enjoy!

    Use to frost
    ​The Spruce Eats / Emily Hawkes

Tips

  • Silken tofu—also called soft tofu, silk tofu, or Japanese-style tofu—has a softer consistency than regular tofu which is why it is often used to thicken sauces, desserts, and dressings. It usually falls apart easily, and is sometimes packaged in boxes that do not require refrigeration. Regular tofu is packed in water and requires refrigeration, so these two types of tofu are often sold in different parts of the store. Because of this, don't be alarmed if you can't find silken tofu in the refrigerator where you normally purchase your tofu.
  • You can also play around with using different types of sweetener, such as maple syrup, to make your tofu frosting. Once you have the base, the possibilities are truly endless.
  • Tofu is a nutrient-rich food, so this tofu frosting actually packs a healthy punch. A half a cup of tofu contains 10 grams of protein, 11 percent of the recommended daily amount of iron and all eight essential amino acids among other important nutrients.

Recipe adapted with permission from The Compassionate Cook Cookbook.

Source:

University of Toronto Food Services. (2015, May 21). Awesome things about tofu. Retrieved December 4, 2016, from Favourite Foods, https://ueat.utoronto.ca/10-awesome-things-about-tofu/