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While I love traditional cream cheese frosting, it’s nice to have a few options that are sweetened without powdered sugar, too. First, I shared my date-sweetened chocolate frosting. (Which tastes remarkably like real chocolate buttercream.)
Then it was sweet potato frosting, which can be made into various colors. I love using it for festive Halloween cupcakes.
Now, we have one more naturally sweetened frosting to turn to. This healthy cream cheese frosting is made without butter or powdered sugar, but it has a delicious flavor and pairs perfectly with your favorite cakes and cupcakes. It’s not as stiff as frosting made with powdered sugar, but that hasn’t stopped my kids from enjoying it!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Featured Review
“This recipe is fantastic! It tastes just like traditional cream cheese frosting! It has a nice rich flavor and isn’t over the top sweet! It’s definitely way more gentle on the stomach compared to a traditional recipe.” – Emily
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Cream Cheese. I use full-fat cream cheese that comes in a block. (Not from a whipped container.) It’s important you bring this to room temperature before getting started.
- Greek Yogurt. It’s ideal if this is very thick, not runny. I used the plain Whole Foods 365 brand that has 3.5% milkfat. I’ve also tested this recipe with lemon juice if you don’t keep yogurt on hand. Add a teaspoon at a time until the recipe has a tart flavor you enjoy.
- Honey. This natural sweetener is thicker and a little sweeter than maple syrup, so you don’t need to use as much. I think the flavor pairs nicely with the cream cheese, but you can use a different sweetener if you prefer.
How to Make Healthier Cream Cheese Frosting
Step 1:
Make sure you start with room temperature cream cheese. If it’s cold when you start making this, your frosting will be lumpy. Remove your block of cream cheese from the fridge at least 2 hours before starting for better results.
Place the soft cream cheese, Greek yogurt, and honey in a large bowl. Use an electric hand mixer at medium speed until the frosting is smooth and silky.
Step 2:
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Taste the frosting and make any necessary adjustments. For more sweetness, you can add an extra squeeze of honey or a splash of pure maple syrup, but the more liquid you add, the runnier the frosting texture will be.
Transfer the frosting to the fridge to chill if you don’t need to use it right away. It will thicken slightly when it’s cold. (The way cream cheese does!)
Texture Note: The texture of this frosting will not be the same as the kind made with powdered sugar. Powdered sugar not only acts as a sweetener but also thickens frosting recipes. Expect this healthier version to be light and fluffy, almost like spreading a thick yogurt over your cake.
Serving & Storage Tips
Spread this frosting over your favorite cake, cupcakes, or cookies. It will not firm up the way powdered sugar frostings do, so it’s best served on desserts that will be enjoyed with a fork.
Leftover frosting can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It will thicken slightly when chilled.
Note: I tested this as a frosting you can pipe onto cupcakes. It’s possible to use it this way when the frosting is very cold from the fridge, but it will start to melt as it rests, so it’s not a sturdy option. You can see the texture in the photo below.
Healthy Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
- 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese , softened
- ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 4 to 5 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Bring the cream cheese to room temperature before starting this recipe. Let it sit on the counter for 2 hours for the best texture. (Otherwise, it may turn out lumpy.)
- In a large bowl, add the cream cheese, plain yogurt, and a ¼ cup of honey. Use an electric hand mixer on medium speed to mix the ingredients until smooth.
- Taste the frosting and add additional honey, if needed. You can also add a splash of vanilla extract, if you'd like more flavor. This frosting will not be as thick as a recipe made with powdered sugar; the consistency will be more spreadable, like a thick pudding.
- It's ready to use right away. For a slightly thicker frosting, store it in an airtight container in the fridge overnight. (Note: While you can technically pipe this onto cupcakes, the texture isn't ideal for that. The piping will not hold its shape for long. It's best to think of this as a sweet and fluffy cream cheese spread.)
Notes
Nutrition
More Recipes to Try
- Vegan Ganache
- Applesauce Cake
- Healthy Chocolate Frosting
- Coconut Flour Carrot Cake
- Flag Cake with Oat Flour
If you try this healthy cream cheese frosting, please leave a comment and star rating below, letting me know how you like it.
This recipe is fantastic! It tastes just like traditional cream cheese frosting! It has a nice rich flavor and isn’t over the top sweet! It’s definitely way more gentle on the stomach compared to a traditional recipe.