Keto Cream Cheese Frosting
This low carb Keto Cream Cheese Frosting is insanely delicious and the perfect topping for cupcakes, cookies, and other low-carb baked goods. This easy icing recipe needs just three simple ingredients. It is also gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free, and Trim Healthy Mama friendly.
When it comes to frosting, traditional recipes and store-bought icing are PACKED with sugar and other processed ingredients. I wanted something that I can enjoy in moderation without guilt. That’s what makes this easy healthy cream cheese frosting one of my favorite low carb recipes.
Homemade sugar free cream cheese frosting is incredible on keto diet cinnamon rolls, keto cupcakes, red velvet cake, and to lick off of a spoon. Yes! It’s that good!
These amazing cookies in the photos with this creamy frosting on top are my Keto Pumpkin Cookies!
Ingredients
Cream Cheese – It works best to use room temperature softened cream cheese. Choose regular cream cheese and not low-fat or fat-free for the best results.
Salted Butter – It is easiest to cream in softened butter as well. If you have unsalted butter add a pinch of salt.
Powdered Sweetener – It is important to use a powdered sweetener for the frosting isn’t gritty.
Extract (optional) – Sometimes I add a dash of vanilla extract or almond extract and sometimes I don’t so I’m leaving this as optional.
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Keto Cream Cheese Frosting
First Step: Begin by whipping the full fat cream cheese and butter in a stand mixer or in a medium-large bowl with a hand mixer. It should be a light, fluffy texture. Don’t forget to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Second Step: Mix the powdered sweetener with the cream cheese mixture. Continue mixing with the electric mixer for 2-3 minutes until it’s fluffy. If needed, scrape the sides down and continue mixing.
Use as desired. You can make this ahead and store in an airtight container. Give it a good stir and let it sit at room temp for about 15 minutes before using.
Variations
You’ll find that not only is this sugar free frosting recipe versatile in what you put it on; it’s also easily adjustable too. Try some of these scrumptious ideas:
Strawberries – Add some mashed strawberries to the frosting, and it will be pink and flavorful. I recommend starting with half a cup of strawberries. You can use sliced fruit as a garnish to finish the look.
Lemons – Add lemon zest (or lemon extract) and some freshly squeezed lemon juice. It’s an easy way to add flavor, and it’s perfect for summer months. It would be a great variation on Lemon Buttercream Frosting.
Chocolate – Mix in 1/2 cup of cocoa to the cream cheese mixture for a keto chocolate frosting. You will need to thin the icing with a splash of the milk of your choice (such as unsweetened almond milk or cream).
Blueberries – Add some blueberry puree to the frosting, and it will be a purple color and looks gorgeous on the dessert table.
Coffee – If you’re a coffee fanatic, add some instant espresso powder to the frosting. I recommend just using one tablespoon, so it’s not too strong. A dash of cinnamon is nice too.
Fluffy – For a fluffier frosting whip some heavy cream and fold it in.
Common Questions
How can I use cream cheese icing?
On any of your low carb cakes or keto desserts. Here are a few ideas. I use it to top my Mini Carrot Cake Cookies and frost my Keto Carrot Cake. You can also add some to Keto Zucchini Bread or Keto Zucchini Muffins.
Can I Eat Powdered Sugar On Keto?
No, you can’t eat traditional powdered sugar on keto. That’s why I use powdered erythritol for my homemade cream cheese frosting instead. It gives you the same texture and flavor without all the sugar.
Is It Okay To Leave Icing Out Overnight?
No, you should never leave leftover frosting with cream cheese in it out overnight. The rule when it comes to cream cheese is that it should never sit out longer than 2 hours at a time. For best results, either put all the frosting in the fridge until you’re ready to use it or place the frosted baked goods in the refrigerator.
Is cream cheese frosting keto?
Regular frosting is not keto because of the added sugar.
How Long Does Frosting Last?
Store the sugar free keto cream cheese icing in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep in mind that since this keto frosting recipe is not full of processed ingredients, and there are no preservatives, so it won’t last an extended period. If you see that it’s really watery or moldy, then it’s no longer safe to eat.
Can I Freeze Cream Cheese Icing?
Yes, you can freeze keto icing. It’s important to note once it’s frozen, the texture may be slightly different from when you made it fresh, but the flavor will still be great. Keep the frosting in a sealed container or freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months for the best results.
When you are ready to use the keto cream cheese frosting, place it in the refrigerator to thaw. It will take several hours if not overnight to thaw. Once it’s defrosted, it’s ready to be eaten.
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Keto Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 3 tbsp salted butter
- 1 cup powdered sweetener
Instructions
- Whip the cream cheese and butter in a stand mixer until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Add the powdered erythritol. Mix for 2-3 minutes until fluffy. Scrape down the sides and mix for another minute.
Notes
Nutrition
In the mood for some more sweet treats? Try any of these yummy recipes:
Peanut Butter Cake with Caramel Icing – Sweet and salty with peanuts and caramel.
Lemon Cupcakes With Raspberry Buttercream Frosting– One of my fave keto recipes with lemon and fresh raspberries topped with raspberry butter cream.
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Originally Published November 4, 2019. Revised and Republished January 21, 2025.
This frosting tastes delicious and has a perfect, fluffy and creamy texture! So versatile and exactly what I needed for my pumpkin muffins. Thank you!
delicious, easy, quick recipe. lemon is my favorite, so paired with lemon cream cheese frosting is just perfect! can’t wait to try some variations…Coconut, raspberry, etc.
thanks for sharing! 😁
Hi,can you share the measurements of your homemade sweetener ? I’m going to make your vanilla cupcakes. Would really love to have ~ TY
Hi Cindy, it’s linked just about any time I mention it and can be found here: https://joyfilledeats.com/sweetener
I use your granular version of Gentle Sweet all the time now. Do I just powder it for this recipe? What is the best way to powder it? Grinder? Food processor? Blender? Or do I need to purchase a powdered product? Love your recipes! Thanks for sharing!
This is a terrific recipe. However I halve the sweetener and used powdered Monk fruit because that is what I have on hand. I then use this delicious creation to fill hulled strawberries.
We’ve found that every time we make cream cheese frosting with Xylitol or erythritol or a combination of the two it he flavor is “off”. We’ve been using these sweeteners for years so it’s not that we’re trying to switch from sugar and just haven’t acquired a taste for them yet. Have you experienced this? Is there a secret? It’s not a texture issue; we know to powder the sweeteners. Is it the Xylitol? Is that the reason you’re only using Erythritol? Just curious. Love your recipes. So grateful for all you’ve taught us over the years as we’ve learned to cook this way. Merry Christmas!
I normally use generic sweeteners but I’ve found the store-bought powdered sweeteners to just taste better in icing in addition to the consistency.
Are the 8 servings 8 slices of cake or 8 cakes?
Thank you.
This frosting recipe makes about 1.5 to 2 cups of frosting. This equals 8 servings, which is enough for one small cake, a dozen cupcakes, or filling for 2 dozen cookies.
This frosting is incredible! I absolutely did not miss all of the sugar found in regular frostings!
I’ve never tried a substitute for sugar in my cream cheese frosting so this was a new one for me. It actually did come out tasting just like the normal creamy sugary frosting! I did add a little vanilla extract to mine and used freeze-dried strawberries to make the perfect strawberry frosting.
Fantastic! I omitted some of the powdered sweetener and added a couple dabs of Carmel flavored Stevia drops I iced and added a dusting of chopped walnuts to my keto dark chocolate brownies!
They were amazing!!
Thank you so much!! This frosting was awesome and delicious!! I didn’t even want to put it on the cake!! It was yummy by itself!!
So good and so low on carbs!!! Thank you!
Wow! Incredible cream cheese frosting!!
This looks great. Think I could use a low-fat cream cheese?
Yes. Enjoy!
I am going to try this recipe now. I have powdered stevia that I must use…hope it will work. I just made raisin, chocolate chip oatmeal cookies and they are soooooo bitter. the recipe called for wheat flour and I had just about every kind BUT wheat so I used 1/2 white and 1/2 coconut. Not sure if that is what caused them to be so bitter. I think Stevia is supposed to be equivalent to regular cane sugar. I have both granulated and powdered stevia and use it often in recipes…
thanks for this cream cheese recipe!
I’m sorry but the powdered stevia will not work! You need a 1:1 powdered sweetener. Stevia is too sweet for this.
Can I use monk fruit granular
Your frosting will be gritty with any granulated sweetener. If you don’t mind that then yes you can use it. I do recommend grinding the sweetener in a blender first.
Can I use liquid stevia for sweetener instead of powder?
No, sorry. This really needs the bulk from powdered sweetener to have an icing consistency.
Awesome recipe. Cream cheese icing is my favorite. I am hoping to use this on my keto pumpkin roll.