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    Pinch Me Good! » Healthy Desserts » 5 Minute Healthy Cream Cheese Frosting

    5 Minute Healthy Cream Cheese Frosting

    March 12, 2022 by Amy Estes 6 Comments

    61971 shares
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    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!

    Metal whisk mixing white frosting in a glass mixing bowl.

    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!!!!

    Square slice of carrot cake with frosting and chopped pecans on top of it.

    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.
    Fluffy white cream cheese frosting in a  glass bowl with cookies around it.
    Small grey rubber spatula with frosting on the end of it with more frosting in a bowl behind it.

    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.

    Vanilla frosting in glass mixing bowl with a metal whisk in the bowl.

    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.

    Bowl of white frosting with a whole strawberry in it with more strawberries around it.

    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.

    Print
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    Hand using a metal whisk to mix vanilla frosting in a glass bowl.

    5 Minute Healthy Cream Cheese Frosting


    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    5 from 2 reviews

    • Author: Amy Estes
    • Total Time: 5 minutes
    • Yield: 2.5 cups 1x
    • Diet: Gluten Free
    Print Recipe
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    Description

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


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 8 ounces plain softened cream cheese – I like to used whipped cream cheese
    • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
    • ¼ cup maple syrup
    • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

    Instructions

    1. Add all 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.
    2. Use on your favorite cakes or cookies, or as dip for fruit, or in a fruit parfait.

      Notes

      Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 

      • Prep Time: 5 minutes
      • Category: Healthy Desserts
      • Method: No cook
      • Cuisine: American

      Did you make this recipe?

      Tag @pinchmegoodfood on Instagram and hashtag it #pinchmegoodfood

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      Filed Under: Gluten-Free, Healthy Desserts, Kid-Friendly, Vegetarian Meals

      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Stequis

        April 17, 2024 at 1:10 am

        It was good! Thanks for sharing.

        Reply
        • Amy Estes

          April 17, 2024 at 2:13 pm

          I’m so glad you liked it!

          Reply
      2. Eva

        November 13, 2024 at 11:23 am

        What size of cake will 1x cover?

        Reply
        • Amy Estes

          November 22, 2024 at 7:38 pm

          Hi Eva, it’s enough to cover an 8×8 or 9-inch round cake. I hope you enjoy it!

          Reply
      3. Sharon E

        November 19, 2024 at 7:26 pm

        YUM! I saw similar recipes which didn’t include the lemon or vanilla, both of which pushed it over the top. I used this to ice the top of a 13×9 strawberry-pineapple cake (also containing no refined sugar). Next time I would double the recipe for two 8″ rounds so I can get more of the delicious icing!! Would be amazing on carrot cake. Thank you Amy!

        Reply
        • Amy Estes

          November 20, 2024 at 7:39 pm

          You’re welcome Sharon, I am so glad you liked it! A strawberry pineapple cake sounds amazing.

          Reply

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      Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

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      Small grey rubber spatula with frosting on the end of it with more frosting in a bowl behind it.
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      Hand using a metal whisk to mix vanilla frosting in a glass bowl.