5 Minute Healthy Cream Cheese Frosting (2024)

March 12, 2022 by Amy Estes 2 Comments

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This healthy cream cheese frosting is Greek yogurt-based and is so delicious and easy to make. It goes great on cakes, and cookies, or is used as a fun dip for fruit. You can make it in about 5 minutes and easily store it for up to 3 days.

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This healthy cream cheese frosting still has cream cheese in it but it is lower in sugar and contains some protein and nutrition from the Greek yogurt. So, while it is an indulgent addition to a healthy dessert, like cake, it is still much healthier than traditional cream cheese frosting.

I love to use this frosting on fruit pizza cookies or Easter cookies. You can also spread it between two gluten free cookies or use it as a sweet dip for fresh fruit.

Of course, my favorite way to use this healthy cream cheese frosting is by spreading it on a nice fluffy piece of carrot cake. Yum!!!!

5 Minute Healthy Cream Cheese Frosting (2)

This healthy frosting recipe is made with cream cheese, Greek yogurt, vanilla, a hint of lemon, and maple syrup, making it refined sugar-free, and naturally GLUTEN-FREE!

The best method to soften cream cheese

To use cream cheese in the frosting, it is best to get it nice and soft first so it is easier to mix in with the rest of the ingredients. Here is the best way to soften cream cheese.

Healthy Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients

Greek yogurt – I used fat-free plain Greek yogurt but full-fat or reduced-fat will also work.
Cream cheese – Full-fat or reduced-fat plain cream cheese will both work. Whipped cream cheese works the best in this recipe since it is lighter and easier to whip with the rest of the ingredients.
Lemon – I like the brightness the hint of lemon adds to this cream cheese frosting recipe but feel free to leave it out if you prefer.
Vanilla – brings that nice vanilla flavor to the frosting.
Maple syrup – I recommend using real maple syrup. This adds a nice sweetness to the frosting without any added refined sugar.

How to make homemade healthy cream cheese frosting

Add all of the frosting ingredients to a mixing bowl and whisk well with a hand mixer or stand mixer until stiff peaks form and all of the ingredients are incorporated into a nice, thick, smooth frosting.
Use it on your favorite cakes, or cookies, or as a dip for fruit.

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Other sweetener options for this frosting

Liquid Stevia or monk fruit for a sugar-free option – use about 2-3 tablespoons since these natural sweeteners are much sweeter than maple syrup.
Agave or honey – the same amount as maple syrup.

How to turn this frosting into a glaze

To easily turn this healthy cream cheese frosting into a nice drippy glaze, simply add some coconut or almond milk or even more lemon juice or maple syrup to thin it out. I like a combination of ½ teaspoon lemon juice plus 1 teaspoon each of maple syrup and coconut milk beverage. I would start there and then add more based on your desired consistency.

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Best ways to use this healthy cream cheese frosting

You can use this cream cheese frosting on so many things from cookies to cakes, to cupcakes. Here are some of my favorite ways to use it:

As a glaze on these pumpkin oatmeal cookies or these cranberry orange muffins.
Spread on fruit pizza cookies as a nice base for the fruit or as a yummy frosting on these sugar cookies.
Spread on some healthy brownies then top with mini chocolate chips (my kid’s favorite).
As a dip for wafer crackers, pretzels, or fruit. Yummy!

Recipe variations

This vanilla frosting recipe is a nice base for other frosting flavors. Here are some variations to take this frosting to a whole new level!

Use orange juice and orange zest for an orange-creamsicle flavor to this frosting.
Fold in some mini chocolate chips.
Stir in some nut butter.
Whisk in some cocoa powder (about ¼ cup) for a healthy chocolate frosting.

Storing recommendations

You can easily store this healthy cream cheese frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

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Can you freeze this frosting?

This frosting is best if stored in the refrigerator and used within 3 days. I don’t recommend freezing it since it gets slightly clumpy and loses some flavor when you freeze it.

More healthy dessert recipes to try!

Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Healthy Berry Crisp
Protein Cookie Dough Bites

Did you make this recipe? If you did, then please leave a rating and comment below. You can also tag me on Instagram@pinchmegoodfoodso I can see your creation.