The Ultimate Vegan Date Fudge Frosting

This vegan recipe proves that you don’t need butter to make a fudgy chocolate frosting.

Confession time: I usually scrape the frosting off of cakes and cupcakes before I eat them.

I know, something must be seriously wrong with me, but my ideal cake is one without frosting.

My husband tries to tell me that I should just eat muffins instead, but muffins and cupcakes are not the same thing.

A muffin should be dense and trick you into thinking that it’s healthy enough to eat for breakfast, whereas a cupcake should be light and airy, and enjoying one should feel like eating dessert.

I love that. Just without the frosting part.

Cake – at least a good cake – should be moist with a rich flavor, and a texture that almosts melt in your mouth. But frosting can ruin the experience: it’s is usually way too sweet, sometimes a bit grainy from the sugar, and often overpowers the actual flavor of the cake.

If you ask me, it’s like the effect you get when you smear peanut butter on something. This is something that you should do only if you’re in the mood to experience the taste and texture of peanut butter, and basically nothing else.

But this fudgy date frosting is the exception.

When I first looked at the ingredients required to make this recipe, I was skeptical.

I love dates, and I use them all the time to make homemade date and nut bars. But a frosting made from dates? I figured it’d be too thin, and have a slight fruity taste.

Boy was I wrong.

While this version isn’t as fluffy as a traditional buttercream, it’s every bit as thick and rich as a classic chocolate fudge frosting. Plus, it’s easier to make, and a bit healthier.

Non-vegan fudge frosting usually requires plenty of butter and sugar, and oftentimes even more sugar in the form of corn syrup. But this vegan frosting is naturally sweetened, and only uses 1 tablespoon of almond butter to add a creamy, fatty element – no coconut oil or vegan butter substitute.

Nutritionally speaking, 1/2 cup of dates contains around 60 grams of sugar, whereas 1/2 cup of sugar is closer to 100 grams. They also contain over 6 grams of fiber per 1/2 cup, as well as important vitamins and minerals, including potassium, copper, and vitamin B6.

Now, I’m not trying to tell you that this is a health food, but it is a healthier and equally delicious alternative to your standard cake topping.

But back to the frosting! Something magical happens when soaked dates are blended. You end up with a consistency that’s similar to a soft caramel. Add in the almond butter and cocoa powder, and the result is a velvety smooth frosting that spreads beautifully on a chocolate cake.

I used this frosting to top my chocolate wacky cake (which also happens to be vegan), and couldn’t stop sneaking bites straight from the cake pan.

Guys, I even scraped up bites of this frosting without any cake also being present on the fork. It really is that good.

Even after five days, what little was left was every bit as rich and indulgent as when I first made it, without any weird changes to the texture. I don’t know if cake usually lasts that long in your house, but just in case it does, know that you are still good to go.

So what are you waiting for? Get out your blender or food processor and start soaking those dates!

Vegan Fudgy Date Frosting

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★★★★★

5 from 1 review

• Author: Kelli McGrane
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 1 cup 1x

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Description

Fudgy, decadent, and vegan, this chocolate date frosting is naturally sweetened and spreads beautifully on top of a homemade cake.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup pitted Medjool dates (about 6–7 large)
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon natural peanut or almond butter
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Place dates and hot water in a high-speed blender or food processor, and let soak for 10 minutes.
2. Once dates have softened, blend on high or pulse until smooth.
3. Add cocoa powder, almond butter, and salt. Blend or pulse until well combined.
4. Pour frosting into a bowl or resealable container. Use immediately, or store for 5-7 days max.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: No-Cook, Blender
• Cuisine: Vegan

Keywords: frosting, fudge frosting, dates, vegan dessert, chocolate

Cooking By the Numbers…

Step 1 – Measure and Prep Ingredients

Measure out all of your ingredients, so they will be ready to go.

If your dates are whole, remove the pits. Heat up the water on the stove or in the microwave.

Place dates and hot water in a high-speed blender or food processor, and allow the dried fruit to soak for 10 minutes.

Step 2 – Blend

Once the fruit is nice and soft, blend on high or pulse until very smooth.

Scrape down the sides of the blending container if you need to.

Step 3 – Add Remaining Ingredients

Add the almond butter, salt, and cocoa powder.

Blend or pulse until fully combined.

Again, you many need to stop and scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula to ensure that everything is blended together thoroughly.

Step 4 – Frost or Store

This frosting is ready to use right out of the blender, with no chilling required. If you don’t plan to use it right away, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days.

Note: The consistency becomes more mousse-like if stored in the fridge.

About Kelli McGrane, MS, RD

Kelli McGrane is a Denver-based registered dietitian with a lifelong love of food. She holds undergraduate and master’s degrees in nutrition science from Boston University. As a registered dietitian, she believes in the importance of food to nourish not only your body, but your soul as well. Nutrition is very personal, and you won’t find any food rules here, other than to simply enjoy what you eat.

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