Refrigerate the liquid in a bowl in the fridge until you need it. I usually refrigerate the liquid I use when I open a can of chickpeas to cook. This makes the liquid thicker.
One day before you need to make the buttercream, reduce the liquid over the stove until it becomes a cloudy liquid for about (~5 minutes of simmering).
Measure one cup of the reduced liquid, place in your stand mixer bowl, and add the sugar (NOT the icing sugar). Refrigerate the mixture overnight.
The next day, take the Earth Balance out of the fridge and allow to soften at room temperature. Do this ~2 hours before making the buttercream. Cut into small pieces, and make sure it is soft!
The next day, take the mixing bowl out, and use the whisk attachment to whip the mixture until stiff peaks.
Start at lower speed until bubbly, then increase the speed to high to reach the stiff peaks stage. Once stiff peaks are reached, add the icing sugar and mix.
Add a small piece of Earth Balance into the meringue at ~5 second intervals between each addition. Once all added, the mixture might curdle at first but keep mixing at high speed to incorporate together.
Once smooth, add the vanilla extract and mix. Et voila! C'est fini.
Frost the cakes and serve! If not serving right away, place the cake in the fridge, especially if it is hot. Allow to come to room temperature before serving.