Ready in only 5- 7 short minutes, this delicious Vegan Maple Buttercream is the perfect topping for all of your favorite fall and winter cakes and cupcakes!
Why this Recipe Works:
- The use of maple extract gives this frosting a festive punch of maple flavor that you can’t get from using maple syrup, alone.
What does this frosting pair well with?
- This frosting pairs especially well with pumpkin cakes, such as my Pumpkin Spiced Cupcakes, or anything with a warm, cinnamon-y, fall flavor, such as Carrot Cake.

I love sprinkling a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg over the tops of my fall cakes and cupcakes!
- It also goes splendidly with my Perfectly Vanilla Cupcakes, both the regular and gluten free versions.
If you’re in need of other frosting recipes, try out my Creamy Vegan Chocolate Frosting, and my Sweet Vegan Vanilla Frosting! My 2-Ingredient Vegan Whipped Cream is also the perfect dessert topping.
How to Make Vegan Maple Frosting:
1. Using a high speed hand or stand mixer, whip just the shortening on high speed for 30 seconds.
2. Next, add the maple syrup, maple extract, vanilla extract, salt, and approximately half the powdered sugar. Mix on high for another 30 seconds.
3. Lastly, add the second half of the powdered sugar and then mix on high again for about 1 – 2 minutes or until the frosting is light and fluffy.
Top Tips for Making Vegan Maple Buttercream:
- Wait until your cake or cupcakes are completely cool before frosting.
- When applying this buttercream to cupcakes or decorating edges of cakes, try using pastry piping bags and tips for perfect presentation!
- Consider sprinkling your frosted cakes with a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to give it that extra special little touch.
Did you try this recipe? Give it a star rating and let me know what you think in the comments below. Your feedback is very helpful!
Vegan Maple Buttercream
Ingredients
- 2 c. non-hydrogenated vegetable shortening (306 g)
- 1/4 c. + 2 Tbsp. maple syrup (90 ml)
- 1 Tbsp. maple flavoring or extract
- 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 3/4 tsp. salt
- 3 c. powdered sugar (390 g)
Instructions
- Using a high speed hand or stand mixer, whip just the shortening on high speed for 30 seconds.
- Next, add the maple syrup, maple extract, vanilla extract, approx. half the powdered sugar, and salt. Mix on high for another 30 seconds.
- Lastly, add the second half of the powdered sugar and then mix on high again for about 1 - 2 minutes or until the frosting is light and fluffy.
Notes
- Wait until your cake or cupcakes are completely cool before frosting.
- When applying this buttercream to cupcakes or decorating edges of cakes, try using pastry piping bags and tips for perfect presentation!
- Consider sprinkling your frosted cakes with a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to give it that extra special little touch.