Is Betty Crocker Frosting Vegan? (Updated 2023)

If you are looking to make a quick batch of cupcakes, you might be wondering if Betty Crocker frosting is vegan. Nothing is easier than opening a container of ready made, store-bought frosting. Betty Crocker is one of the most popular brands of canned frosting. It comes in two varieties - Rich & Creamy and Whipped. But is Betty Crocker frosting vegan? Let's check out the ingredient list for each flavor below.

All ingredients, allergens and nutritional information can be found on the Betty Crocker website.

Flavors of Betty Crocker Rich & Creamy Frostings

The Rich & Creamy variety comes in many flavors. Some contain dairy ingredients while others contain vegan ingredients. All flavors that do not contain dairy are labeled "May Contain Milk Ingredients" as well. Any animal-derived ingredients are in bold.

Cherry Ingredients: SUGAR, PALM OIL, WATER, CORN SYRUP, CORN STARCH. CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: SALT, MONOGLYCERIDES, POLYSORBATE 60, SODIUM STEAROYL LACTYLATE, SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, CITRIC ACID, RED 40, BLUE 2. FRESHNESS PRESERVED BY POTASSIUM SORBATE.

Chocolate Ingredients: SUGAR, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, PALM OIL, WATER, CORN STARCH, COCOAL PROCESSED WITH ALKALI, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF SALT, MONOGLYCERIDES, POLYSORBATE 60, SODIUM STEAROYL LACYLATE, CITRIC ACIT, SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR. FRESHNESS PERSERVED BY POTASSIUM SORBATE.

Coconut Pecan Ingredients: SUGAR, WATER, PALM OIL, COCONUT, DEXTROSE, CORN SYRUP, PECAN PIECES. CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: MODIFIED TAPIOCA STARCH, SALT, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, NONFAT MILK, ETHOXYLATED MONO AND DIGLYCERIDES, PECTIN, SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, SODIUM ALGINATE, CALCIUM CHLORIDE, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, COLOR (YELLOW 5, BLUE 1, RED 40), SOY FLOUR, EGG YOLK. FRESHNESS PRESERVED BY POTASSIUM SORBATE, SODIUM METABISULFITE AND SODIUM BENZOATE.

Cream Cheese Ingredients: SUGAR, PALM OIL, WATER, CORN SYRUP, CORN STARCH. CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: SALT, MONOGLYCERIDES, POLYSORBATE 60, SOUR CREAM (CREAM, NONFAT MILK, CULTURES), SODIUM STEAROYL LACTYLATE, SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, NATURAL FLAVOR, CITRIC ACID, YELLOWS 5 & 6. FRESHNESS PRESERVED BY POTASSIUM SORBATE.

Creamy White Ingredients: SUGAR, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, PALM OIL, CORN STARCH, WATER. CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF SALT, MONOGLYCERIDES, POLYSORBATE 60, SODIUM STEAROYL LACTYLATE, SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, CITRIC ACID. FRESHNESS PRESERVED BY POTASSIUM SORBATE.

Dark Chocolate Ingredients: SUGAR, WATER, PALM OIL, COCOA PROCESSED WITH ALKALI, CORN STARCH, CORN SYRUP. CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: SALT, MONOGLYCERIDES, POLYSORBATE 60, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM STEAROYL LACTYLATE, SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR. FRESHNESS PRESERVED BY POTASSIUM SORBATE.

Lemon Ingredients: SUGAR, PALM OIL, WATER, CORN SYRUP, CORN STARCH. CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: SALT, MONOGLYCERIDES, POLYSORBATE 60, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, SODIUM STEAROYL LACTYLATE, SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, CITRIC ACID, YELLOW 5 LAKE. FRESHNESS PRESERVED BY POTASSIUM SORBATE AND BHA.

Milk Chocolate Ingredients: SUGAR, WATER, PALM OIL, CORN SYRUP, CORN STARCH, COCOA PROCESSED WITH ALKALI. CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: SALT, MONOGLYCERIDES, POLYSORBATE 60, SODIUM STEAROYL LACTYLATE, SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR. FRESHNESS PRESERVED BY POTASSIUM SORBATE.

Rainbow Chip Ingredients: SUGAR, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, VEGETABLE OIL (PALM, PALM KERNEL, COCONUT), CORN STARCH, WATER, CORN SYRUP. CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: NONFAT MILK, HYDROGENATED PALM OIL, SALT, MONOGLYCERIDES, POLYSORBATE 60, MODIFIED CELLULOSE, SODIUM STEAROYL LACTYLATE, SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, SOY LECITHIN, FOOD COLORING (YELLO LAKES 5 & 6, RED LAKE 40, BLUE LAKES 1 & 2, YELLOW 5 & 6), CITRIC ACID. FRESHNES PRESERVEDBY POTASSIUM SORBATE.

Vanilla Ingredients: SUGAR, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, PALM OIL, CORN STARCH, WATER. CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF SALT, MONOGLYCERIDES, POLYSORBATE 60, SODIUM STEAROYL LACTYLATE, SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, YELLOW 5 & 6, CITRIC ACID. FRESHNESS PRESERVED BY POTASSIUM SORBATE.

Hershey's Milk Chocolate Ingredients: SUGAR, WATER, PALM OIL, CORN SYRUP, HERSHEY'S COCOA, COCOA PROCESSED WITH ALKALI, CORN STARCH. CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: SALT, MONOGLYCERIDES, POLYSORBATE 60, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM STEAROYL LACTYLATE, SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR. FRESHNESS PRESERVEDBY POTASSIUM SORBATE.

The sad news for fans of sprinkles is that Rainbow Chip (the frosting with the candy bits) is not vegan. Also, Cream Cheese and Coconut Pecan Rich & Creamy Frosting flavors contain dairy products and Coconut Pecan also contains egg. Those flavors are not vegan.

Flavors of Betty Crocker Whipped Frosting

The good news is that the majority of the Whipped flavors are vegan. The one exception is Whipped Cream Cheese which contains dairy products. Interestingly, both Butter Cream and Whipped Cream do not and can technically fit in with a vegan diet. All of the flavors that do not already contain dairy are labeled "May Contain Milk Ingredients".

Whipped Butter Cream Ingredients: SUGAR, PALM OIL, WATER, CORN SYRUP, CORN STARCH. CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: HYDROGENATED PALM OIL, MONOGLYCERIDES, CELLULOSE GEL, SALT, POLYSORBATE 80, SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, CELLULOSE GUM, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, CITRIC ACID, COLOR (YELLOWS 5 & 6 AND OTHER COLOR ADDED). FRESHNESS PRESERVED BY POTASSIUM SORBATE.

Whipped Chocolate Ingredients: SUGAR, PALM OIL, WATER, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, COCOA PROCESSED WITH ALKALI. CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: CORN STARCH, HYDROGENATED PALM OIL, MONOGLYCERIDES, CELLULOSE GEL, SALT, CITRIC ACID, POLYSORBATE 80, SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, CELLULOSE GUM, CARRAGEENAN, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, COLOR ADDED. FRESHNESS PRESERVED BY POTASSIUM SORBATE.

Whipped Cream Cheese Ingredients: SUGAR, PALM OIL, WATER, CORN SYRUP, CORN STARCH. CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OR LESS OF: HYDROGENATED PALM OIL, MONOGLYCERIDES, SALT, CELLULOSE GEL, SOUR CREAM (CREAM, NONFAT MILK, CULTRURES), NATURAL FLAVOR, POLYSORBATE 80, SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, CELLULOSE GUM, CITRIC ACID, YELLOWS 5 & 6. FRESHNESS PRESERVED BY POTASSIUM SORBATE.

Whipped Fluffy White Ingredients: SUGAR, PALM OIL, WATER, CORN SYRUP, CORN STARCH. CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: HYDROGENATED PALM OIL, MONOGLYCERIDES, CELLULOSE GEL, SALT, POLYSORBATE 80, SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, CELLULOSE GUM, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, CITRIC ACID. FRESHNESS PRESERVED BY POTASSIUM SORBATE.

Whipped Milk Chocolate Ingredients: SUGAR, PALM OIL, WATER, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, COCOA PROCESSED WITH ALKALI, CORN STARCH. CONTAIN 2% OR LESS OF: HYDROGENATED PALM OIL, MONOGLYCERIDES, CELLULOSE GEL, SALT, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, POLYSORBATE 80, SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, CELLULOSE GUM, CARRAGEENAN. FRESHNESS PRESERVED BY POTASSIUM SORBATE.

Whipped Strawberry Mist Ingredients: SUGAR, PALM OIL, WATER, CORN SYRUP, CORN STARCH. CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: HYDROGENATED PALM OIL, MONOGLYCERIDES, SALT, CELLULOSE GEL, POLYSORBATE 80, SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, CELLULOSE GUM, CITRIC ACID, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, RED 40, BLUE 2. FRESHNESS PRESERVED BY POTASSIUM SORBATE.

Whipped Vanilla Ingredients: SUGAR, PALM OIL, WATER, CORN SYRUP, CORN STARCH. CONTAINS 2% OF LESS OF: HYDROGENATED PALM OIL, MONOGLYCERIDES, SALT, CELLULOSE GEL, POLYSORBATE 80, SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, CELLULOSE GUM, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, CITRIC ACID, YELLOWS 5 & 6. FRESHNESS PRESERVED BY POTASSIUM SORBATE.

Whipped Whipped Cream Ingredients: SUGAR, PALM OIL, WATER, CORN SYRUP, CORN STARCH. CONTAINS 2 % OR LESS OF: HYDROGENATED PALM OIL, MONOGLYCERIDES, CELLULOSE GEL, SALT, POLYSORBATE 80, SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, CELLULOSE GUM, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, CITRIC ACID. FRESHNESS PRESERVED BY POTASSIUM SORBATE.

cupcake cones with green frosting and sprinkles.

Vegan Options of Betty Crocker Frostings

The following frostings are the vegan-friendly flavors of Betty Crocker:

Cherry Rich & Creamy
Chocolate Rich & Creamy
Creamy White Rich & Creamy
Dark Chocolate Rich & Creamy
Lemon Rich & Creamy
Milk Chocolate Rich & Creamy
Vanilla Rich & Creamy
Hershey's Milk Chocolate
Whipped Butter Cream
Whipped Chocolate
Whipped Fluffy White
Whipped Milk Chocolate
Whipped Strawberry Mist
Whipped Vanilla
Whipped Whipped Cream

Homemade Vegan Frosting

If you want to avoid all of the partially-hydrogenated oils, corn syrup and artificial colors, you can make your own vegan frosting. It's super quick and easy to make and only uses a handful of ingredients. For step by step directions, check out How to Make Vegan Vanilla Frosting by Loving It Vegan. For this recipe you'll need the following:

vegan butter
soy milk
vanilla extract
powdered sugar

Do you prefer chocolate flavors? Check out Vegan Chocolate Frosting by Nora Cooks.

Do you love strawberry flavors? Check out Vegan Strawberry Frosting by Minimalist Baker.

FAQ

Is sugar vegan?

Some vegans worry about white sugar because of the use of bone char. According to Peta.org, "Bone char—often referred to as natural carbon—is widely used by the sugar industry as a decolorizing filter, which allows the sugar cane to achieve its desirable white color."

So cane sugar doesn't technically contain any animal products. But, the desire for sugar to have a pure white color makes some companies use animals bones in the production of it. It's up to you whether or not you consume regular sugar but some strict vegans choose to avoid it.

Are there any gluten-free varieties?

There is one specific flavor noted as gluten free, Hershey's Milk Chocolate frosting.

Is Betty Crocker frostings suitable for those with dairy allergies?

No. All of the flavors and varieties are labeled May Contain Milk so those with allergies should not consume them.

Does Betty Crocker make a sugar-free frosting?

No, as of now there is not a sugar-free frosting available.

Is Betty Crocker chocolate frosting vegan?

Yes, Betty Crocker chocolate frosting is vegan. The ingredients are listed above.

Summary

If you are making a last-minute cake, store-bought frosting is the easiest way to go. They can be found in any grocery store and come in a variety of flavors, most of which contain vegan ingredients. While they certainly aren't the healthiest option, they definitely work in a pinch. Luckily, the majority of flavors of Betty Crocker frostings are vegan.

Wondering if other dessert foods are vegan? Check out: