5 Minute Healthy Cream Cheese Frosting

This light and healthy cream cheese frosting, made with Greek yogurt is delicious and easy to prepare. Perfect for cakes, cookies, or as a dip for fruit, it can be whipped up in about 5 minutes with 5 simple ingredients. This healthier frosting recipe is refined sugar-free and sure to become your new favorite!

This healthy cream cheese frosting still has cream cheese in it but it is lower in sugar and contains some protein and nutrition from the Greek yogurt. So, while it is an indulgent addition to a healthy dessert, like cake, it is still much healthier than traditional cream cheese frosting.

I love to use this frosting on cinnamon rolls, fruit pizza cookies or Easter cookies. You can also spread it between two gluten-free cookies or use it as a sweet dip for fresh fruit.

Of course, my favorite way to use this healthy cream cheese frosting is by spreading it on a nice fluffy piece of carrot cake. Yum!!!!

It is made simply by combining softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt, vanilla, a hint of lemon, and maple syrup into a semi-thick, luscious frosting or dip. This frosting recipe is refined sugar-free, and naturally GLUTEN-FREE and is a healthier frosting option for those who are looking to consume less sugar.

Taste and texture

This lighter homemade cream cheese frosting is smoother and thinner than store-bought frosting. It tastes like cream cheese frosting but with less sugar so it is not as sweet. You can taste the hints of lemon and vanilla which is so yummy. We love to spread it on carrot cake or zucchini cake or enjoy it as a dip for fruit and graham crackers.

The best method to soften cream cheese

To use cream cheese in the frosting, it is best to get it nice and soft first so it is easier to mix in with the rest of the ingredients. Here is the best way to soften cream cheese.

• Unwrap or scoop out the cream cheese from its container or packaging place it into a bowl or on a plate and let it sit at room temperature for about 60 minutes.
• To soften it more quickly, you can remove it from the packaging and place it into a bowl or on a plate and microwave it for 15 -20 seconds. It should soften right up.

Healthy Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients

• Greek yogurt – I used fat-free plain Greek yogurt but full-fat or reduced-fat will also work.
• Cream cheese – Full-fat or reduced-fat plain cream cheese will both work. Whipped cream cheese works the best in this recipe since it is lighter and easier to whip with the rest of the ingredients.
• Lemon – I like the brightness the hint of lemon adds to this cream cheese frosting recipe but feel free to leave it out if you prefer.
• Vanilla – brings that nice vanilla flavor to the frosting. I used clear vanilla for that nice white frosting color but regular vanilla extract works as well.
• Maple syrup – I recommend using real maple syrup. This adds a nice sweetness to the frosting without any added refined sugar.

How to make homemade healthy cream cheese frosting

1. Add all of the frosting ingredients to a mixing bowl and whisk well with a hand mixer or stand mixer until stiff peaks form and all of the ingredients are incorporated into a nice, thick, smooth frosting. This tool about 30-45 seconds for me.
2. Use this cream cheese frosting on your favorite cakes, or cookies, or as a dip for fruit.

Other sweetener options for this frosting

• Liquid Stevia or monk fruit for a sugar-free option – use about 2-3 tablespoons since these natural sweeteners are much sweeter than maple syrup.
• Agave or honey – the same amount as maple syrup.

How to turn this healthy frosting into a glaze

To easily turn this healthy cream cheese frosting into a nice drippy glaze, simply add some coconut or almond milk or even more lemon juice or maple syrup to thin it out. I like a combination of ½ teaspoon lemon juice plus 1 teaspoon each of maple syrup and coconut milk beverage. I would start there and then add more based on your desired consistency.

Best ways to use this healthy cream cheese frosting

You can use this cream cheese frosting on so many things from cookies to cakes, to cupcakes. Here are some of my favorite ways to use it:

• As a glaze on these pumpkin oatmeal cookies or these cranberry orange muffins.
• Spread on fruit pizza cookies as a nice base for the fruit or as a yummy frosting on these sugar cookies.
• Spread on some healthy brownies then top with mini chocolate chips (my kid’s favorite).
• As a dip for wafer crackers, pretzels, or fruit. Yummy!

Recipe variations

This vanilla frosting recipe is a nice base for other frosting flavors. Here are some variations to take this frosting to a whole new level!

• Use orange juice and orange zest for an orange-creamsicle flavor to this frosting.
• Fold in some mini chocolate chips.
• Stir in some nut butter.
• Whisk in some cocoa powder (about ¼ cup) for a healthy chocolate frosting.

Storing recommendations

You can easily store this healthy cream cheese frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Can you freeze this frosting?

This frosting is best if stored in the refrigerator and used within 4 days. I don’t recommend freezing it since it gets slightly clumpy and loses some flavor when you freeze it.

More healthy dessert recipes to try!

• Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberries
• Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Healthy Berry Crisp
• Protein Cookie Dough Bites

Did you make this recipe? If you did, then please leave a rating and comment below. You can also tag me on Instagram @pinchmegoodfood so I can see your creation.

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