Last updated on May 12th, 2023

Easy Sugar-Free Cream Cheese Frosting

Cream cheese is not just for spreading over toasted bagels. This small batch of Monk fruit-sweetened cream cheese frosting is low-carb and keto enough to fix a slight craving. Double or triple this recipe for frosting cakes and cupcakes, or serve it with my delicious low-carb Carrot Cake Waffles. That’s a great pairing!

Why you’ll like Sugar-Free Cream Cheese Frosting

• This low-carb cream cheese frosting is made without butter and uses 4 ingredients.
• Making it without butter gives it a light and fluffy texture and makes it versatile for many keto desserts. 
• Top this frosting over strawberries and have a delicious quick, no-fuss treat. 
• I’ve eaten this frosting with a spoonful or two as it’s not too heavy.
• The entire recipe is 6g net carbs and perfectly fits into a keto lifestyle,
• Typically cream cheese frosting is made with powdered sugar. Instead, for this recipe, I am using powdered sweetener. It has zero carbs and calories and will not raise blood sugar.
• Cream cheese is commonly used in low-carb recipes because of its zero-carb content, so naturally, it makes this recipe lower in carbs.

Useful tips for making Sugar-Free Cream Cheese Frosting

• Using powdered sweetener makes the frosting creamier and smooth. Granular sweetener will make the frosting taste grainy, leaving an aftertaste.
• Only use cream cheese in solid brick form instead of the spreadable kind that comes in a tub with extra ingredients to make it soft and easier to spread. It is also much saltier than the block kind.
• Chill the cream cheese frosting before piping for better results. You can transfer it into a piping bag with the tip and keep it in the fridge until you need to pipe it. 
• If you are frosting a cake or cupcake, double or triple the recipe to make a batch enough to cover the surface.
• Don’t over-mix the cream cheese frosting as the process can heat it a little, cause it to soften further, and release some liquid from the cream cheese.

Ingredients to make Sugar-Free Cream Cheese Frosting

Cream Cheese

Use softened cream cheese and the one that comes in a brick form. To soften the cream cheese, leave it on the counter for 20 minutes before frosting. Short on time? Quickly soften the cream cheese by cutting it into cubes and leaving it on a plate. Alternatively, you can microwave it in short increments of 5 seconds until it has come to room temperature.

Powdered Sweetener 

I use granular sweetener and powder it myself. I use a Monk fruit/ Erythritol blend by Volupta from Costco, but Lakanto and So Nourished brands work well too. They all have a blend of Monk fruit and Erythritol. 

The easiest way to powder granular sweetener is to blitz it through a coffee or spice grinder for a fine consistency that resembles icing sugar.

Whipping Cream

There’s no need to whip this cream ahead of time; it goes straight into the mix with the cream cheese. Whipping cream makes this frosting light and airy which gives the frosting a fluffy texture. If you want to make this frosting dairy free, try coconut cream instead. It may change the taste slightly, but it should be just as delicious.

Vanilla Extract 

Adding vanilla extract enhances the flavour of the frosting and takes away that cream cheesy taste. It gives this frosting a sweet flavour that will taste delicious by itself.

Equipment you’ll Need

Any of these gadgets will work to make this frosting fluffy.

• Kitchenaid-style mixer fitted with a whip attachment.
• Immersion blender fitted with a whisk attachment – I use this kind, and making a small batch of frosting is very quick.
• Electric handheld mixer.
• Spatula – If you intend to spread the frosting.
• Piping bag – if you intend to pipe the frosting. Alternatively, you can use a zip-lock bag and cut the corner for a quick DIY method. 
• Piping nozzle – Size Wilton 1M works well to pipe the frosting over cupcakes.

How to make Sugar-Free Cream Cheese Frosting

This recipe is simple to remember and easy to whip up a few hours ahead before frosting cakes,

Add the cream cheese, whipping cream, and powdered sweetener in a medium bowl or the bowl attached to a stand mixer.

Whisk on medium speed until the mixture has firmed up and is fluffy in texture. Add the vanilla extract and whisk until incorporated into the frosting.

Transfer the frosting into a piping bag (optional) or container and chill in the fridge for 20 minutes before piping or decorating. Place a dollop or two over your favourite keto or low-carb desserts, or try it piped on halved strawberries for a quick treat.

If you’re not ready to use the frosting immediately, store it in a glass or plastic container or keep it in the piping bag, and refrigerate for 5 days.

4 Ways to Use Sugar-Free Cream Cheese Frosting

Spread it:

No piping bag? Spread this frosting on cupcakes using a butter knife or spatula and layer cakes or cookies.

Pipe it:

Still no piping bag? Transfer the frosting into one corner of a plastic ziplock bag, twist the open end until it has gathered into the pointed corner, then secure it with a chip clip. Snip the pointy end with scissors and pipe the frosting in swirls over your favourite baked goods.

As a filling:

Fill mini low-carb baked tart shells with frosting, top with berries, and serve chilled. Mix some of this frosting with low-carb caramel or raspberry puree to sandwich meringues.

As a dip:

Use cream cheese frosting as a dippable dessert and serve it beside low-carb fruits and cookies.