Quick and easy sugar free frosting recipe, homemade with simple ingredients. Uses sugar free powdered sugar and cream cheese to make it rich, fluffy, creamy. Perfect for spreading on cakes, piping on cupcakes and cake decorating.
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It's taken me years to perfect this recipe that is slightly better for diabetics. It pairs very well with my Sugar Free Chocolate Cupcakes. You can also use it on cakes and brownies and all other types of desserts. For me, it will never taste as good as my favorite classic American Buttercream Frosting or Easy Sour Cream Frosting (Vanilla), because I feel like sugar free sweeteners have a subtle taste and I am just not used to that. However, this icing came very close in texture and flavor to my classic recipe that holds its shape and is easy to pipe and spread on desserts.
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Key ingredients
- Butter- I always recommend unsalted butter for this recipe for peak taste.
- Cream cheese- Be sure it is full fat for best results and a creamy texture.
- Swerve confectioners sugar- You can make your own, but this was an easy option that I found on Amazon.
- Vanilla- I suggest using a clear extract for a whiter color. You can also use other extracts.
- Milk- The higher the fat content, the creamier the frosting will be.
Variations
- Chocolate flavor- Add ¼ unsweetened cocoa powder. You will also have to add more milk to create the perfect consistency. Adjust the amount of amount of powdered sugar, based on your preference.
- Try other extracts- Including almond, maple, lemon, or even mint to make an Easy Mint Frosting.
- Mix in some zest- Such as lemon, lime, or orange.
- Use some fresh fruit- You can try raspberries, chopped strawberries, chunks of mango, or blueberries like I did in these Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes.
- Add some color- Use gel food coloring to change things up. This is especially great for holidays, birthdays, and special events, similar to what I didi with these 4th of July Cupcakes and Easy Christmas Tree Cupcakes.
- Toss in some nuts- Such as walnuts, peanuts, pecans, hazelnuts, or cashews into the mix.
How to make easy sugar free frosting without powdered sugar?
1. Mix together butter and cream cheese- Until smooth.
2. Add extract- I like to use vanilla extract but you can use whatever flavor you like.
3. Mix altogether- Until smooth.
4. Add in- Swerve confectioners sugar and milk.
5. Mix well- Until thick and fluffy.
6. Chill- Then spread or pipe on your desserts.
How can I thicken frosting without sugar?
- Use sugar free powdered sugar- Swerve confectioners sugar is great and I highly recommend it. You can also prepare homemade sugar free powdered sugar, which is made with Splenda. Add more powdered sugar and and whip until frosting is thickened to desired consistency.
- Use less liquid- Lower the quantities of milk or vanilla extract to maintain the thick texture.
- Use meringue powder- This is dried egg white powder and add 1.5 tablespoon should make the frosting more stable and thick.
- Use cornstarch- Add 1- 2 tablespoon and whip again until frosting thickens.
Tips and techniques
- Whip frosting- Because whipping makes the frosting more fluffy and creamy. Be sure to whip for 2-3 minutes.
- Chill frosting- For 20 minutes in the fridge so that it firms up even more and that makes it easier to pipe.
- I suggest Philadelphia full fat cream cheese- Because it's richer and thicker than the generic brands I have tried.
- Use unsalted butter- Because this gives the best overall flavor and won't make the frosting too salty.
- Use clear vanilla- If you want pure white frosting as opposed to a slightly darker tint from regular vanilla extract.
- Room temperature ingredients should be used- Because this ensures ingredients mix well together.
Recipe FAQs
One option is homemade powdered sugar made with Splenda- By running granulated Splenda through a food processor or blender, along with some cornstarch. For every 1 cup of powdered sugar, mix in 1.5 tablespoon cornstarch. Please note that it does have a subtle after taste that Splenda is known for. It takes some time to get used to it. Another option is powdered erythritol. A third option is Swerve confectioners sugar, which is what I used in my recipe, and can be found on Amazon.
If the icing is too thick, simply thin it out by adding milk just a little at a time. On the other hand, if it is too thin just add more sugar free powdered sugar.
This can happen if the ingredients were not mixed well or if the sugar free powdered sugar was old. It helps to sift it to prevent clumps.
Storage
- Refrigerate- Store in a sealed container for up to 1 week.
- Freeze- Store in a sealed container for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge, whip, and use to spread or pipe.
- Make ahead- This can easily be made 4-5 days in advance if kept in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep 2-3 days in the fridge after that. You can also freeze for up to month in a sealed container, then thaw and whip to use.
- Room temperature- Due to dairy products in this recipe, I don't recommend leaving it out for more than 2-3 hours before refrigerating.
More frosting recipes
- Maraschino Cherry Frosting (Pink)
- Easy Marshmallow Frosting (With Fluff)
- Easy Orange Frosting (Buttercream Icing)
- Chocolate Buttercream Frosting (Ermine)
- Cooked Flour Buttercream (Ermine Frosting)
Recipe
Easy Sugar Free Frosting (With Cream Cheese)
Video
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Ingredients
- ½ cup Butter Unsalted, Room temperature
- 1 package Cream cheese 8 oz package, Room temperature, Full fat, Please use the Philadelphia brand
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 cup Sugar free powdered sugar E.g. Swerve confectioners sugar
- 1-2 tablespoon Milk Whole
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, cream together butter and cream cheese until smooth.
- Mix in vanilla extract until smooth.
- Mix in powdered sugar, gradually, along with some milk and whip until smooth and fluffy.
- Chill for 20 minutes to make it more firmer.
- Then, pipe on cakes and cupcakes. Enjoy!
Notes
- Be sure to whip for 2-3 minutes because it makes it super fluffy.
- If the icing is thick, thin it out by adding a little milk.
- If the icing is too thin, mix in more sugar free powdered sugar.
- Chilling is very important because it firms up the icing further and makes piping even easier.
- Instead of vanilla, try other extracts.
- For citrus flavor, mix in zest from orange, lemon or lime.
- You can buy Swerve confectioners sugar from Amazon.
- Read additional tips and variations above.
- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Nutrition
An automated tool is used to calculate the nutritional information. As such, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information provided for any recipe on this site.
Shirley Fontaine
I tryed this frosting on my husband and cousin today and wanted to say it is delicious, this is a perfect alternative frosting for people trying to cut back on sugar, thanks for sharing with everyone!
Beth
Hi! I made this recently and it worked out really well. I really appreciated how simple putting it together was too. Only thing I would change is how sweet it is! It is really TOO sweet for me and I LOVE sweets! And I used salted butter instead of unsalted because I didn't have any unsalted at the time, and from what I've read about doing that in other recipes, that may have already cut down on the sweetness itself. So, what can I maybe alter to lower the sweetness scale?
Abeer Rizvi
The only thing I can recommend is to pair it with a dessert that's slightly bitter and not too sweet. Anything dark chocolate flavored would pair very well and balance out the sweetness in the overall dessert.
Betty
when frosting is to sweet, u can tint amounts of salt at a time and mix really good taste and repeat if necessary
u can do this even if you've used salted butter
P T Wilson
Hi! I plan to make this frosting tonight, and I was just looking at the nutritional information. and it says 96 grams of carbs per serving. Is that a typo???
Abeer Rizvi
I use an app that automatically calculates it and I think there is something wonky with it or it's not picking up the correct the sugar free powdered sugar. Sorry!
Betty
this is very good, maybe forget that app and make it according to these directions, its good