Coconut Cream Frosting Recipe (2024)

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This coconut cream frosting is a homemade frosting made with coconut cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. A creamy and delicious coconut frosting that is perfect for decorating cakes, cookies, and other baked goods.

Coconut Cream Frosting Recipe (1)

Now you can take it to another level and add in cocoa powder and arrowroot powder to create a richer coconut flavor with a twist chocolate flavor. The whole family will love this easy frosting recipe spread on top of a coconut cream cake, sugar cookies, etc.

This Coconut Cream Frosting Recipe Is…

  • Made from scratch
  • Creamy
  • Perfectly Sweet
  • Easy to Make
  • Great for layered cakes, cookies, tarts, etc.
Coconut Cream Frosting Recipe (2)

Coconut Cream Frosting Ingredients

Coconut Cream – You need to make sure they are full-fat coconut milk as that is what is needed for this frosting. Find my favorite brands of coconut cream here!

Powdered Sugar – If you find your powdered sugar has too many clumps simply run through a sifter to remove the lumps.

Vanilla Extract – A little vanilla goes a long way in terms of flavoring t he coconut flavored frosting. You can make your vanilla extract at home or buy good-quality stuff.

Optional – Now you can add arrowroot or cornstarch to help thicken. Or if you want a chocolate frosting add unsweetened cocoa powder. The measurements for both are in the recipe card below.

How to Make Coconut Cream Frosting

Step One: Remove the coconut cream off the top of the cans of coconut cream. Then measure out 2 cups of the coconut cream.

Step Two: Add cream to a bowl with powdered sugar and vanilla. Mix well with a hand or stand mixer. If you are making chocolate frosting add cocoa powder and the cornstarch or arrow root.

Step Three: Once it is nice and creamy refrigerate the coconut cream frosting for an hours before you go to frost your desserts.

Coconut Cream Frosting Recipe (3)

Variations and Tips for Success

  • If you add in cocoa powder start on a low speed with electric mixer to prevent the powder from flying everywhere. Once mixed move up to a high speed.
  • Put the frosting in a piping bag or spread it on with a spatula. Either method works.
  • Add in 1/4 cup cream cheese to make this a coconut cream cheese frosting.
  • Add in coconut flakes to make this an even richer coconut flavor to the frosting.
  • Add in a bit of coconut extract instead of vanilla to offer a little bit more flavor of coconut for the coconut lovers.
  • The cornstarch is going to create a thick frosting, where if you don’t use it, the frosting can be a bit thinner.

Types of Desserts To Use Frosting With

  • Pineapple coconut cake
  • Carrot Cake
  • Birthday Smash Cake
  • Chocolate Coconut Cake
  • Favorite Cupcakes any Flavor
  • Frosted Sugar Cookies
  • Sheet cakes of choice
  • Etc.

Storing Coconut Cream Frosting

Store your frosting in an airtight container in the fridge. The frosting will store for 2-4 days. I find it is best when served fresh from being made. Then when you are ready just frost as you would like.

You are welcome to freeze the frosting as well for 1-2 months. When you are ready to use the coconut cream frosting place it in the fridge overnight. Then I recommend adding the frosting into a bowl and whip up with an electric hand mixer. This will help create a fluffy texture again. If you need to thicken the frosting a bit add more confectioners’ sugar to reach desired fluffy consistency.

Coconut Cream Frosting Recipe (4)

Coconut Cream Frosting FAQ

Why do you need to refrigerate the frosting before using?

This is a softer texture frosting, so refrigerating allows the frosting to set up a bit. That way wen you go to spread on homemade cakes or even your favorite cupcake recipe it spreads nice and smoothly on the desserts.

Can I double this frosting?

This is a simple recipe that you can double if you are wanting to make extra frosting. Just follow the same directions and double the ingredients.

Will maple syrup work in place of powdered sugar?

You can use maple syrup or honey to make this recipe paleo, but you will need to add arrowroot starch to thicken the coconut cream frosting.

What are the best coconut milk brands to use for this recipe?

I like to use Thai Kitchen and Natural Value coconut milks. They both have simple ingredients and don’t have thickeners like guar gum in them.

Related Recipes:

  • Whipped Coconut Cream
  • Coconut Water Kefir
  • How To Make Cream of Coconut
  • Coconut Ice Cream
  • How To Make Toasted Coconut

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Coconut Cream Frosting Recipe (5)

Coconut Cream Frosting Recipe (Vegan)

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5 from 4 reviews

Make coconut cream frosting at home with simple ingredients. This frosting is a coconut lover’s dream and is perfect on white or chocolate cake.

  • Author: Tiffany Marie
  • Prep Time: 2 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 7 minutes + refrigeration time
  • Yield: 2 1/2 cups 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Mixer
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

  • 2 cups coconut cream* (you will need two cans of full-fat coconut milk)
  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar (use powdered erythritol to make a keto frosting)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • (Optional) 3 tablespoons arrowroot powder or cornstarch
  • (Optional) 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • (Optional) Shredded coconut

Note: Coconut cream is the thick layer of cream on top of the can of coconut milk.

Instructions

  1. Open the can of coconut cream or coconut milk and remove the coconut cream from the top.
  2. Measure out two cups of coconut cream and pour it into a mixing bowl.
  3. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract and use a hand mixer to whip the coconut cream. If you’re making chocolate frosting, add the cocoa powder and mix well. To make coconut frosting, add in 1/2 cup of shredded coconut and mix well.
  4. If you’d like a stiff frosting, I suggest adding the corn starch or arrowroot powder to this frosting.
  5. Refrigerate the coconut cream frosting for an hour before using to ice your baked goods. The frosting needs to thicken for best results when you go to spread the frosting onto the desserts.

Notes

This recipe makes approximately 2 1/2 cups of icing.

Nutrition Facts

  • Serving Size: 1/4 cup
  • Calories: 155
  • Sugar: 9.8g
  • Fat: 12g
  • Carbohydrates: 10g

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Coconut Cream Frosting Recipe (9)

About Tiffany Pelkey

Tiffany is the founder of the wellness website Coconut Mama where she spent over a decade creating coconut-inspired recipes and tutorials. Tiffany lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family and works as a freelance writer, recipe creator, and photographer. She studies aromatherapy and herbalism and loves to cook plant-based meals. You can follow Tiffany on Instagram.

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Coconut Cream Frosting Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is coconut cream not whipping? ›

Chilling overnight is key or the coconut cream won't harden and will likely be too soft to whip. Before whipping, chill a large mixing bowl in the freezer for 10 minutes! If your coconut whipped cream is too stiff when whipping, add some of the reserved liquid from the can to help it blend smoother and create more air!

Can you whip coconut cream to thicken? ›

When you are ready to make your coconut whipped cream, place coconut cream in the chilled bowl of a stand mixer or in a bowl with a handheld mixer. Attach the whisk attachment (or beaters) and whisk on medium speed for 2 minutes. Coconut cream will begin to thicken. Add powdered sugar to taste and vanilla extract.

Can I add coconut to store-bought frosting? ›

Add colorful sprinkles: For a confetti frosting, rainbow sprinkles will do the trick. Stir in ¼ to ½ cup of rainbow jimmies or rainbow nonpareils for a festive party cake. Stir in shredded coconut: Shredded coconut can add great texture and just a hint of flavor to vanilla frosting. Stir in ½ cup to 1 cup.

What's the difference between coconut cream and coconut milk? ›

Coconut Cream vs Coconut Milk

Compared to normal coconut milk, coconut cream has a much higher fat content, containing around 19-22% fat. Coconut cream still retains the delicious coconut flavor that coconut milk has, but is much thicker as it is essentially coconut milk with less water.

How to whip up coconut milk? ›

Scoop out the firm, waxy layer of the coconut cream that has solidified at the top of the can into a bowl. Don't include the water at the bottom of the can. Whip it. Whisk or beat on high speed until it becomes fluffy, light, and holds soft peaks, 3 to 5 minutes.

What happens if I use coconut cream instead of milk? ›

The good news about coconut cream and coconut milk is that although they may be different consistencies, they're very similar. You can use coconut cream in place of milk if you dilute it with additional water. Different coconut cream brands vary on fat content.

How do you fix runny coconut cream? ›

You want to make a slurry of the cornstarch with some milk, and then whisk the slurry into your "warm" filling, and keep whisking it over low heat and watch it firm up on you.

How do I substitute coconut cream for heavy whipping cream? ›

You can substitute an equal amount of heavy cream with coconut cream and use it as a dairy-free alternative in recipes that call for heavy cream. It can be baked, cooked, and whipped, but it does have a coconut flavor, so choose your recipes accordingly.

How do you thicken coconut cream without cornstarch? ›

Make the whipped cream.

Once the mixer bowl is frosty, remove it from the freezer and place the coconut cream in it. Add the powdered sugar, then use a hand mixer or stand mixer to combine until the mixture is thick and creamy.

Can you add cornstarch to coconut whipped cream? ›

How do you thicken coconut milk into cream? This recipe calls for using the coconut cream from the top of a full-fat can of coconut milk. There are recipes that use cornstarch as a thickening agent if you use a full can.

How do you thin coconut cream? ›

Add 1 tbsp (14.77 mL) of water into the bowl.

Once you've put 3 heaping tablespoons (42.52 grams) of coconut cream into the bowl, measure out 1 tablespoon (14.77 mL) of water. Diluting the coconut cream creates 1 serving⁠—or ¼ cup (59.15 mL)—of coconut milk.

How do you make store-bought frosting taste like bakery? ›

Depending on what kind of cake you're making, try stirring a spoonful of any of the following into the frosting:
  1. Peanut butter.
  2. Cookie butter.
  3. Chocolate-hazelnut spread.
  4. Dulce de leche.
  5. Caramel sauce.
  6. Lemon curd.
  7. Fruit jam.
Mar 5, 2024

How do you stick coconut to a cake? ›

The easiest way I find to do this is just with my hands! Grab a palmful of shredded coconut (or whichever type of coconut you're using), and place it on the side of the cake by gently pressing your palm into the cake. It's also best if the frosting is a little soft so the coconut sticks easier.

What is used to thicken coconut milk? ›

One thing you can try is adding a spoonful of tapioca starch at a time to the mix to get it thickening again. Another, is to chill it in the fridge for a few hours longer and then whip again.

How can you thicken runny frosting? ›

Use tapioca, cornstarch, or arrowroot starch.

Dry starches like these absorb liquid and are a great way to thicken frosting without altering the taste of the frosting.

How to thicken non-dairy frosting? ›

To thicken vegan icing, you can use a combination of maple syrup, coconut cream and cornstarch. Start by adding 1/4 cup of cornstarch to 1/4 cup of maple syrup in a small pot on medium heat. Stir until it becomes a thick paste and then add in 1/2 cup of coconut cream. Continue to stir until it becomes thick and smooth.

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