No powdered sugar needed, creamy and delicious cream cheese frosting! Perfect for frosting cakes, cupcakes and more.
Ok I’ll admit it. I am addicted to carrot cake so I make it all the time! It is my favorite type of cake and that means I also make a lot of cream cheese frosting.
It’s just the perfect pairing. I love it as a morning snack with my coffee and for a family dessert. It’s the perfect treat for me when I need a pick me up.
And believe it or not, you can make cream cheese frosting without powdered sugar!
This recipe uses a method that allows you to make an amazing, flavor packed frosting even when there’s no powdered sugar in the pantry,
This recipe has saved me on more than one occasion (pin it to your baking board in case you need it again) when I already had my cake baking only to find out I didn’t have any powdered sugar left.
It’s super fast and easy to make too. You don’t have to cook or cool it and it’s sweetened with honey!
It’s so good in fact, I will make this recipe even when I’m not out of powdered sugar. It’s that good.
The honey adds the sweet, and then we use a little cornstarch to add thickness that makes it just perfect for frosting cakes and cupcakes.
When I first heard the tip for using cornstarch I was skeptical. It just doesn’t sound like something that would work but with just a couple tablespoons you have the perfect cream cheese frosting sans powdered sugar!
No Powdered Sugar, No Problem
In no more than ten minutes you will have one of the most delicious cream cheese frostings you’ve ever had! And with the healthier sweetener (I use local organic honey) it’s guilt free too.
You will be able to use this recipe for cakes, cupcakes, cookies and any other frosting worthy dessert! The sweet and smooth finish is everything you can ask for in a cream cheese frosting.
How To Make Cream Cheese Frosting Without Using Powdered Sugar
This recipe yields about one and a half cups of frosting and only takes around ten minutes to prepare. And if you are on a gluten free or vegetarian diet, this frosting is for you!
Ingredients
- 2 oz. Unsalted Butter
- 10 oz. Whole Fat Cream Cheese (Room temperature)
- 3 Tbs. Honey
- 2 tsp. Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1-2 Tbs. Milk (to desired consistency)
- 1-2 Tbs. Cornstarch
- Pinch of Salt
Start by bringing your cream cheese to room temperature.
Add cream cheese and butter to a mixing bowl and mix until completely blended.
Add in your honey, salt, pure vanilla extract, and milk. Mix until fully combined.
Add a tablespoon of cornstarch and mix well. If your frosting is too thin add another tablespoon of cornstarch and mix until well combined. (you can also thin your frosting by adding a small amount of milk at a time until desired consistency is reached.
Now frost your dessert and serve!
Sweet and creamy frosting perfect for cakes, cupcakes and more.
Prep Time 10 mins
Total Time 10 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 120 kcal
Mixing Bowl
-
Mixer
- 2 oz. Unsalted Butter
- 10 oz. Whole Fat Cream Cheese Room temperature
- 3 Tbs. Honey
- 2 tsp. Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1-2 Tbs. Milk
- 1-2 Tbs. Cornstarch
Add cream cheese and butter to mixing bowl. Mix on high until well blended.
Add honey, salt, pure vanilla extract, and milk and mix until well combined.
Add a tablespoon of cornstarch and mix well. If frosting is too thin add up to 1 more tablespoon of cornstarch (do not add more than 2 tablespoons total).
If frosting is too thick, add milk gradually well blending until desired consistency is reached.
Frost your dessert and serve!
- You can refrigerate your frosting for up to three days before using
Calories: 120kcal
Keyword Chocolate Frosting, Cream Cheese, Gluten Free, Vegetarian
What You Can Use Cream Cheese Frosting On
I think cream cheese goes with every dessert but I might be a little extreme in my love for the stuff. But even if you aren’t a cream cheese fanatic, this recipe works on so many great treats. Here are some ideas to get you started.
- Carrot Cake
- Pumpkin Bars
- Pumpkin Rolls (any pumpkin dessert really)
- Cinnamon Rolls
- Cupcakes
- Cookies
- Brownies
History of Cream Cheese
The cream cheese icing was created in the 1940s. Philadelphia Cream Cheese was looking for ways to promote their new product and found that it worked well as a topping for cakes, or with fruit. However, people really enjoyed the frosting on foods other than cake and so this treat soon became a favorite on fruit or any type of baked goods.