• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Pinch Me Good

  • Home
  • Recipe Index
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Healthy Dinner Ideas
    • Quick and Easy Salads
    • Healthy Side Dishes
    • Healthy Snacks and Appetizers
    • Dressings And Sauces
    • Healthy Desserts
  • About Amy
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
Pinch Me Good! » Healthy Desserts » 5 Minute Healthy Cream Cheese Frosting

5 Minute Healthy Cream Cheese Frosting

March 12, 2022 by Amy Leave a Comment

52 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
Small grey rubber spatula with frosting on the end of it with more frosting in a bowl behind it.
Fluffy white cream cheese frosting in a glass bowl with cookies around it.
Hand using a metal whisk to mix vanilla frosting in a glass bowl.

Please note that some of the links are affiliate links and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links.

This light and healthy cream cheese frosting is Greek yogurt-based and is so delicious and easy to make. It goes great on cakes, cookies, or used as a fun dip for fruit. You can make it in about 5 minutes and easily store it for up to 3 days.

Metal whisk mixing white frosting in a glass mixing bowl.

This lighter and healthier 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 it on these fruit pizza cookies or in this lemon blueberry parfait. Or simply spread between two gluten free cookies. See more uses for this frosting below.

Of course my favorite way to use this healthy frosting is on a nice fluffy piece of carrot cake.

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

This easy frosting recipe is made with cream cheese, Greek yogurt, vanilla, a hint of lemon and maple syrup, making is refined sugar free and naturally GLUTEN FREE!

Best method to soften cream cheese

  • Unwrap or scoop out the cream cheese from its container or packaging and 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 recipe but feel free to leave it out if you prefer.
  • Vanilla – brings that nice vanilla flavor to the frosting.
  • Maple syrup – I recommend using real maple syrup. This adds a nice sweetness to the frosting without any added refined sugar.
Cream cheese frosting ingredients on a white board with labels for each ingredient.

How to make homemade healthy cream cheese frosting

  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, cookies or a as dip for fruit or in a fruit parfait.
  • 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 munkfruit for a sugar-free option – use about 2-3 tablespoons since these natural sweeteners are much sweeter than maple syrup.
  • Agave or honey – same amount as the maple syrup.

How to turn this frosting into a glaze

To easily turn this 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 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice plus 1 teaspoon each of maple syrup and coconut milk beverage. I would start there 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 homemade 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 onto some fruit pizza cookies as a nice based for the fruit or as a yummy frosting on these sugar cookies.
  • Spread on top of some brownies then topped with mini chocolate chips (my kids favorite)
  • As a dip for 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 1/4 cup) for a healthy chocolate frosting.

Storing recommendations

You can easily store this cream cheese frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 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 3 days. I don’t recommend freezing it since it gets slightly clumpy and looses 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
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Hand using a metal whisk to mix vanilla frosting in a glass bowl.

5 Minute Healthy Cream Cheese Frosting


  • Author: Amy
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 2 cups 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

This light and healthy cream cheese frosting is Greek yogurt-based and is so delicious and easy to make. It goes great on cakes, cookies, or used as a fun dip for fruit. You can make it in about 5 minutes and easily store it for up to 3 days.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 8 ounces plain softened cream cheese – I like to used whipped cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 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, cookies or a as dip for fruit or in a fruit parfait.

Equipment

Image of mixing bowl

mixing bowl

Buy Now →

Notes

  • You can easily store this cream cheese frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • This frosting is best if stored in the refrigerator and used within 3 days. I don’t recommend freezing it since it gets slightly clumpy and looses some flavor when you freeze it.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Healthy Desserts
  • Method: Whipped
  • Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @pinchmegoodfood on Instagram and hashtag it #pinchmegoodfood

« 20 Minute Easy Salmon Tacos – (Gluten Free)
Perfect Air Fryer Butternut Squash (Vegan and Gluten Free) »

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

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

Primary Sidebar

Hi there,
I'm Amy and I'm so excited to share my best healthy recipes and tips with you. I hope I can inspire you to eat better, feel better, and get back in the kitchen. Read More…

Amy: View My Blog Posts

Search recipes:

Most Popular

Sweet Potato Buddha Bowl – with black beans

Easy Kale Salad With Lemon Dressing

Easy Baked Eggplant Meatballs – (Meatless)

Healthy Fudgy Brownies – Gluten Free

Healthy Baked Beet Chips

Banana Oatmeal Pancakes – Gluten Free

Butternut Squash Noodle Bowl with cranberries

Butternut Squash Noodles Bowl – Vegan

Healthy Breakfast Sandwich (A make-ahead recipe)

Healthy Spring Recipes

20 Minute Easy Salmon Tacos – (Gluten Free)

Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Cutlets (Gluten Free)

Easy 10 Minute Healthy Tzatziki Sauce

15 Minute Healthy Air Fryer Meatloaf (Gluten Free)

20 Minute Naan Pizza (Gluten Free)

Best Crispy Oven Roasted Chickpeas (Easy Recipe)

Amazing Creamy Carrot Raisin Salad – (Dairy Free)

Easy Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Parfaits

Copyright © 2022 · Pinch Me Good