Healthy Cream Cheese Frosting

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: healthy cream cheese frosting

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 0

Total Time: 10

Servings:

Calories: 45kcal

Author: Megan Gilmore

I was skeptical that I could make cream cheese frosting taste delicious without powdered sugar. I tried it a few years ago and wasn't impressed. However, I'm glad I didn't give up, because this version is delicious. It's made with 3 simple ingredients and is perfect for topping carrot cake, cupcakes, and more. It's not quite as sweet as traditional frosting, but I think it's perfect for those who want a refined-sugar-free option!

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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 information is for roughly 2 tablespoons of frosting, assuming you get 1 1/2 cups total from this recipe and use the minimum amount of honey. This information is automatically calculated and is just an estimate, not a guarantee.

Sweetener Note: You can use maple syrup or agave nectar, if you prefer. Maple syrup will make the frosting slightly more runny in texture.

Full-Fat Dairy Note: This recipe was tested with full-fat dairy to avoid added stabilizers and gums. Using a low-fat option may change the texture of your frosting.

Safety Tip: If you plan on using this recipe for a First Birthday smash cake, please use maple syrup or agave instead of honey as the sweetener. Children under the age of 1 should not be served honey.

Need a thicker frosting? Make this the night before you plan on serving it. The frosting will thicken in the fridge and is almost thick enough to pipe on a cupcake.

Seeing lumps in your frosting? This can happen if you use low-fat cream cheese or cream cheese that is still chilled from the fridge. Make sure it's room temperature for the best results. (You can chill the frosting after mixing.)

Nutrition