Last Updated on January 14, 2023
It can be difficult to eat healthier, but one way to help is to use sugar-free frosting alternatives for cake. Let’s take a closer look.
As a baker that loves to eat, I am always in a predicament. Cakes, pies, and muffins always entail copious amounts of sugar and butter so it has always been difficult for me to eat healthily. One way that I have found has helped me a lot is to use other kinds of sweeteners, instead of frosting that’s full of sugar. In this article, in particular, we will show you some sugar-free frosting recipes with Splenda that will make your taste buds go wild – but remain diet approved. What are some sugar-free frosting alternatives for cake? We’ll find out now.
Sugar-Free Cream Cheese Frosting Alternatives for Cake
If you’re following a Keto diet, you’re likely going to love this one! Let’s take a closer look.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces of softened cream cheese
- ¼ cup of room-temperature butter
- 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt (you can replace it with milk if you do not have any unflavored Greek yogurt in your fridge)
- 1 tablespoon of Stevia
- 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
Equipment
- Stand mixer or a hand mixer
- Whisk attachment or hand whisk
How to Make
Step 1
Using a paddle attachment in your stand mixer or a hand mixer, cream together the cream cheese and the butter.
Step 2
Once they are well blended, you can switch to a whisk attachment or a hand whisk. Add 1 tablespoon of your yogurt and incorporate it well.
Step 3
Add 1 teaspoon of Stevia and 1 of vanilla extract and whip on medium for a minute or so. Try the mixture to see if you like it as is, or check if it needs more Stevia and/or extract. Also, depending on the texture you’re looking for, decide if you want to add the rest of the dairy. This will make it softer and ideal for crumb coating, but if you need it for filling or piping, maybe you would prefer it thicker.
Sugar-Free Buttercream Frosting Alternatives for Cake
This type of frosting is perfect for keto and low-carb diets as well. It does contain a lot of fat, but we have taken away all the sugar so you can eat it without worry! It tastes amazing too and it is very easy to make, although we thought it was not possible before trying it ourselves!
This recipe is very flexible and can be used with just about any cake you like. You can always adjust the flavoring, and voilà!
To achieve this, you will need to make some sugar-free powdered sugar first. That sounds like magic, right? Well, it is quite simple and it will probably amaze you! You can always buy some pre-made, though, if you do not want to make it yourself. We recommend Swerve as a perfect sugar-free alternative to sweeten any preparation.
Thank you Sugar-Free Diva for the recipe.
Making Sugar Free Powdered Sugar
Ingredients
- 1 cup of Splenda or any other granulated sweetener
- 2 cups of cornstarch
- 2 cups of sugar-free, non-fat dry milk powder
You should sift all the ingredients together in a food processor or blender, and pulse until you get the consistency of powdered sugar.
It will, of course, make 5 cups of the mixture. You can use this mixture as you would use regular powdered sugar, but without the calorie cost! You can make more of it and store it so that you can have easy access to it for other recipes.
Making Sugar Free Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- 3 cups of sugar-free powdered sugar
- 1 cup of softened butter
- 1 tablespoon of milk
- 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract (or another flavoring)
Step 1
Using a stand or hand mixer, cream the sugar-free powdered sugar with the butter until you get a smooth mixture. Start with one minute on low and then switch to high to get a whipped texture.
Step 2
Add the milk and flavoring and continue whipping for 2 to 3 more minutes. If you need a softer buttercream, you can always add more milk. This depends on what type of cake you are working with, as well as what you need the frosting for. For crumb coating, you want a softer texture, but for piping -which this recipe is great for, by the way- you need a firmer texture.
You can store it in the freezer and work with it just as regular buttercream. It is amazing!
Sugar-Free Coconut Pecan Frosting Alternatives for Cake
But what if you are a chocolate fiend? Well, the Sugar-Free Diva has another recipe that will definitely fulfill your craving! You can use this decadent frosting in just about any cake, but it is inspired by the frosting used in German chocolate cake. Be mindful that this is a more complex recipe than the previous one, so beginners beware!
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups of sugar-free powdered sugar
- ¾ cups of butter
- 1 ½ cups of evaporated milk
- 4 beaten egg yolks
- 1 ¼ cups of chopped pecan nuts
- 2 cups of shredded or flaked coconut
- 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
Equipment
- Small saucepan
How to Make
Step 1
In a small saucepan mix the sugar-free powdered sugar with the egg yolks, butter, and evaporated milk.
Step 2
Place the saucepan over low to medium heat and do not stop whisking while the mix is heating up. It will start to thicken and turn brown in about 10 to 12 minutes.
Step 3
Remove it from the heat and stir in the rest of the ingredients. Remember to let it cool before using it. If you do not do this, it will be too runny and it will fall off the cake. The recipe will make enough to cover and fill a two-layer medium-sized cake.
If you would like to make it vegan, you can always replace the evaporated milk with coconut milk. This will enhance the coconut flavor and also help with texture.
How to Make Frosting Without Powdered Sugar
As you can see, there are many sugar free and healthier frosting alternatives for cake. We’ll be taking a look at how to make frosting without powdered sugar. The first recipe uses a small amount of honey, instead of sugar and the second uses a sugar free alternative to powdered sugar. Let’s take a closer look.
For the first recipe, you’ll need:
- 10oz of cream cheese
- 2oz of softened butter
- a pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons of milk
- 1-2 tablespoons of corn starch
Now all you need to do is:
- Grab a bowl and add the butter and cream cheese.
- With a mixer on high, combine the ingredients together and then add your honey, vanilla extract and a sprinkle of salt.
- Mix well and then add one tablespoon of corn starch.
- Mix well and then add another tablespoon of corn starch.
- If your frosting has become too thick, add a splash of milk until you reach the consistency you’re looking for.
For the second recipe, you’ll need:
- 1/2 cup of milk
- 2 tablespoons of all purpose flour
- a pinch of salt
- 3/4 cup of sugar free alternative
- 1/2 cup of softened butter
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Now all you need to do is:
- Grab a saucepan and add the milk, salt, all purpose flour and sugar free alternative.
- Warm over a medium heat and mix throughout.
- Once the ingredients start the bubble, remove from heat and pour into a bowl.
- Leave to cool by placing in the fridge. It needs to be completely cool before you begin working with it.
- While that’s cooling, add the softened butter to a bowl.
- Beat with a stand mixer until creamy.
- Now add the vanilla extract and mix well.
- Now slowly add the cooled mixture from the fridge.
- Keep mixing until it becomes light and fluffy.
Sugar Free Frosting Recipe With Splenda
One of the most popular sugar free frosting alternatives for cake is by using Splenda. To make your sugar free frosting using this alternative, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup of Splenda granulated sweetener
- 7 egg whites
- 1 1/2 cups of margarine (or butter)
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- gel food coloring, if needed
Now all you need to do is:
- Grab a saucepan and add around an inch of water.
- Place the saucepan over a medium to low heat until it begins to simmer.
- In a heat proof bowl, add the egg whites and sweetener, and mix well.
- Now place the heat-proof bowl over the water and stir continuously for around 5 minutes, or until the sweetener has dissolved entirely.
- Remove from heat.
- In another bowl, add the margarine (or butter) and beat until fluffy.
- Place fluffy margarine to one side and add the egg white mixture to your mixer and beat until stiff peaks form. This should take around 10 minutes.
- Slowly add the margarine mixture, as well as the vanilla extract and salt.
- Keep mixing until you have a light and fluffy frosting.
- At this point, you can add any food coloring to your frosting, if needed.
Sugar-Free Buttercream Frosting
Equipment
- Food processor or blender
Ingredients
- A) Making Sugar-Free Powdered Sugar
- 1 cups of Splenda or any other granulated sweetener
- 2 cups of cornstarch
- 2 cups of sugar-free non-fat dry milk powder
- ----------------
- B) Making Sugar-Free Buttercream Frosting
- 3 cups of sugar-free powdered sugar
- 1 cup of softened butter
- 1 tablespoon of milk
- 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract or another flavoring
Instructions
- A) Sugar-Free Powdered Sugar
- You should sift all the ingredients together into a food processor or blender and pulse until you get the consistency of powdered sugar.
- B) Sugar-Free Buttercream Frosting
- Step 1: Using a stand or hand mixer, cream the sugar-free powdered sugar with the butter until you get a smooth mixture. Start with one minute on low and then switch to high to get a whipped texture.
- Step 2: Add the milk and flavoring and continue whipping for 2 to 3 more minutes. If you need a softer buttercream, you can always add more milk. This depends on where you live and what type of cake you are working with, as well as what you need the frosting for. For crumb coating, you want a softer texture, but for piping -which this recipe is great for, by the way- you need a firmer texture.
Notes
Conclusion
Have you tried any of these yet? We are amazed at how incredible Stevia is for baking, and we will use it in other recipes in the future. It is a great alternative to switch out any unwanted sugar in your homemade desserts! I hope this has introduced you to sugar-free frosting alternatives for cake.
Karen is a passionate pastry chef who loves to create delicious baked goods. She has been in the culinary arts for over 10 years, honing her skills and perfecting her craft. Karen is known for her creativity and attention to detail, creating unique desserts that bring a smile to everyone’s face. She is always looking for ways to challenge herself and come up with new recipes that are both tasty and visually appealing. Karen loves to experiment with different flavors and textures, and she is committed to providing the highest quality of products to her customers.
