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    Hummusapien » Recipes » Dessert » Healthy Cream Cheese Frosting

    Healthy Cream Cheese Frosting

    Published Apr 16, 2020 · Modified Dec 7, 2021 · by Alexis Joseph · 98 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    Light and fluffy Healthy Cream Cheese Frosting made with Greek yogurt and maple syrup. Low sugar and great on carrot cake and pancakes!

    carrot cake with cream cheese frosting on plate with gold fork

    Can I be honest here? This cream cheese frosting tastes like straight up cheesecake.

    I mean, I could eat it by the spoonful. Correction---I did eat it by the spoonful. Would you like some Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal with that frosting?

    Today's lower sugar cream cheese frosting recipe is made with pure maple syrup rather than cups on cups of powdered sugar. I'm the kind of gal who likes tangy, creamy frosting rather than the overly sweet kind that makes your teeth hurt. I think the former complements baked goods so much better.

    white spatula in bowl of cream cheese frosting

    Which Cream Cheese to Use

    I also like how this frosting turns out "whipped" and fluffy-like. Some cream cheese frostings are super thick, but I find that this recipe has just the right spreadable texture.

    I recommend full fat brick cream cheese all the way, baby. It offers the best smooth texture and velvety mouthfeel. You want the block of cream cheese versus kinds that are already whipped or in tubs, as those have more water.

    When it comes to the yogurt, it doesn't have to be Greek, although that's what I used since I prefer the thicker styles. The higher the fat content, the richer the cream cheese will be. I used Fage 2% Greek yogurt.

    Why is Cream Cheese Frosting Runny?

    It shouldn't be! If you use a cream cheese spread or whipped cream cheese in a tub versus brick-style, there will be more moisture and you may end up with runny frosting.

    Bricks have the lowest water content for nice and thick cream cheese frosting.

    bowl with cream cheese and maple syrup

    How to Soften Cream Cheese

    Why use room temperature cream cheese, you ask? If you beat cream cheese when it's still cold, the frosting will have small lumps and the consistency won't be as smooth.

    • To soften slowly: Unwrap the cream cheese from the foil. Place it on a plate and let it sit at room temperature on the counter for an hour.
    • To soften quickly: Unwrap the cream cheese, discard the foil, and set it on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave for about 20 seconds. It should not feel hot. If it's too warm, the frosting may be runny.

    up close beaters in bowl with cream cheese frosting

    Tips for Sweetener Options

    I find that this is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, but you can easily make it sweeter or less sweet to suit your preferences by adding more or less sweetener. Using sweetened versus plain yogurt will also make it sweeter.

    • Maple syrup: My favorite liquid sweetener of all time. I get the big jug at Costco. You can also find it locally! It brings fabulous flavor and just enough sweetness to this recipe.
    • Honey: You can definitely use honey here if you'd prefer. I find honey has a more distinct flavor versus just adding sweetness, though.
    • Agave nectar: This would work just fine here.

    carrot cake baked oatmeal bars

    How to Serve Cream Cheese Frosting

    • On baked oatmeal: I first created this recipe with my Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal in mind. Divine!
    • On pancakes: I know from experience that this frosting is quite magical atop a fluffy stack on Favorite Fluffy Whole Wheat Pancakes, these Orange Pancakes, or these Vegan Pancakes.
    • On muffins or banana bread: I love it paired with these Fluffy Pumpkin Muffins, Banana Blueberry Muffins, and Lemon Blueberry Muffins.
    • On cookies: I even smeared some on these Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies. Yep, I went there.

    Frosting on, sweet friends!

    Print
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    white spatula in bowl of cream cheese frosting

    Healthy Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

    ★★★★★ 4.8 from 27 reviews
    • Author: Alexis Joseph | Hummusapien
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 0 minutes
    • Total Time: 10 minutes
    • Yield: 2 cups 1x
    • Category: Desserts
    • Method: No-Bake
    • Cuisine: American
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Light, fluffy and rich Healthy Cream Cheese Frosting made with Greek yogurt and maple syrup. Low sugar and amazing on carrot cake, banana bread, and pancakes!


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 8oz block of full fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
    • ¼ cup plain or vanilla Greek yogurt (I used 2%)
    • ¼ cup maple syrup
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract

    Instructions

    1. Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer and beat on medium speed for a few minutes, or until it’s smooth and fluffy, scraping down the edges as needed.
    2. Enjoy on carrot cake baked oatmeal, lemon blueberry muffins, banana bread, and pumpkin muffins. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

    Notes

    • This recipe yields about 2 cups of frosting, or enough for a dozen cupcakes or muffins.
    • To make more of an icing that you can drizzle, simply thin a portion in a separate bowl with milk and mix until smooth.

    Keywords: healthy cream cheese frosting

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @hummusapien on Instagram. I love sharing what you make!

    About Alexis Joseph

    Oh HEY there! I'm Alexis Joseph, food writer, blogger, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), new mama, and co-founder of local restaurant group, Alchemy. I use my passion for cooking and wellness as fuel to help others ignite a more freeing and happy relationship with food. Learn more about Alexis!

    5 Secrets to Delish, Healthy Lunches

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    1. Clair Dennis says

      June 11, 2022 at 5:49 pm

      OMG! This is absolute perfection! I was looking for a healthier alternative to the traditional cream cheese frosting and was a bit skeptical at first - so bought an extra block of cream cheese in case it didn't turn out. Needless to say - it was absolutely fantastic! I ended up making another batch lol! Followed the instructions exactly and it was fabulous! I'll never make it any other way! Thank you!!!! Tastes divine - brilliant!!!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        June 14, 2022 at 6:45 pm

        Heck yes, thank you so much Clair!! It's so good with a spoon LOL.

        Reply
    2. Debbie says

      April 22, 2022 at 2:50 pm

      Hi, is this cream cheese recipe suitable for piping? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        April 23, 2022 at 3:13 pm

        I've never piped it but I don't see why not!

        Reply
        • Debbie says

          April 25, 2022 at 8:07 am

          Might give it a try! Thank you,

          Reply
    3. Kim says

      April 17, 2022 at 4:16 am

      Hello, this is sully, you are still using cream cheese

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        April 18, 2022 at 5:19 pm

        Yes, it's cream cheese frosting.

        Reply
    4. Meeme says

      March 08, 2022 at 6:07 pm

      Hey
      Thank you so much for this recipe
      May I ask if there is any alternative for Greek yogurt
      We prefer a plain one besides it’s a bit pricey in my country.

      Thank you again!

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        March 09, 2022 at 2:37 am

        You can try regular yogurt, it just may be a bit thinner! I've only tried the recipe as written with greek yogurt.

        Reply
    5. Alexandra says

      February 15, 2022 at 5:51 am

      Anyone know how to thicken this up a bit?

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        February 15, 2022 at 7:27 pm

        It should be very thick! Did you make any changes to the recipe?

        Reply
    6. Rocio says

      February 01, 2022 at 12:48 pm

      how long does this frosting last? how to store? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        February 01, 2022 at 5:11 pm

        This frosting lasts up to two weeks in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. It lasts two-four hours at room temperature. Enjoy!

        Reply
    7. Kimberly Bracken says

      January 23, 2022 at 2:22 am

      I love this frosting! The only thing is that my cream cheese still is chunky even at room temperature, so after blending it for a minute or so I put it in a small saucepan on low-med heat for two minutes, then blend, then continue that until it's all blended in. So good!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        January 27, 2022 at 4:45 pm

        Oh darn! I'm glad you still loved it, Kimberley!

        Reply
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    Well HELLO there, pal! I'm Alexis. Welcome to Hummusapien, a fantastical food blog brimming with nourishing (always delish!) recipes from a Registered Dietitian plus life tidbits to inspire you to live your most joyful, balanced life. Grab a super hot cup o' joe and let's get cookin'.

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