Keto Frosting Recipes {3 Flavors} (2024)

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Learn how to make three keto frosting recipes to frost your cakes, muffins, brownies, and more! Vanilla frosting, chocolate frosting, and a simple cream cheese frosting. Low carb, sugar free and quick and easy!

Keto Frosting Recipes {3 Flavors} (1)

See, I’ve got plenty of keto desserts that can ALL be taken up a notch by adding a thick layer of frosting, or a thinner icing.

After making a chocolate mug cake, I thought adding a chocolate icing would make it even better. I wanted one that could be as thick or thin as needed and as such, I HAD to create a sugar free frosting.

Is frosting keto?

Traditional frosting or icing recipes are not suitable for a keto diet. The main ingredient for any frosting recipe is powdered sugar, which is definitely not keto or low carb. However, by using keto powdered sugar, you can replicate all your favorite frosting flavors, that taste just like the real deal!

This sugar free frosting is so quick and easy to make, you will never leave a dessert unfrosted again!

It’s sweet, creamy, and can be made thick, like a buttercream, or thinned out, like a glaze or icing.

As much as I love a good chocolate frosting, I am also a fan of the classic vanilla and cream cheese frostings. With just ONE recipe base, you can easily create at least three frosting flavors, that are perfect for various kinds of desserts.

Here are the frosting flavors-

  • Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
  • Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
  • Cream Cheese Frosting
Keto Frosting Recipes {3 Flavors} (2)

How do you make keto frosting

There are three main ingredients that go into all three frosting flavors. After you’ve selected which flavor you want, all you need to do then is just add the extra 1 or 2 ingredients and you will be done!

The Ingredients

  • Powdered sugar– The key to any good frosting recipe. I used homemade keto powdered sugar, which is ridiculously quick and easy to make at home.
  • Butter– Use room temperature butter, but not melted. Also, avoid using salted butter, unless you want your frosting to have a slightly salty tinge.
  • Vanilla extract– A must for any dessert recipe.

The Instructions

Start by beating together your powdered sugar and butter on low, until combined. Add in your vanilla extract, followed by the additional ingredients (based on which flavor you are going for). Continue to beat until thick and creamy. If you’d like a thick frosting (than can easily be piped),

Flavor Variations

For all three frosting options, make the base frosting first, then add the extra ingredients as listed.

Chocolate Frosting

  • Basic frosting
  • Cocoa powder
  • Milk of choice
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Vanilla Frosting

  • Basic frosting
  • Milk of choice
  • Vanilla bean pod (optional)
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Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Basic frosting
  • Cream Cheese (full fat or dairy free)
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Can I make vegan frostings?

All the frostings can easily be made dairy free, especially if you want a vegan frosting. To make them vegan, make these substitutions-

  • Butter– Use dairy free butter for all flavors
  • Milk of choice– Use a plant based milk, like almond milk or soy milk
  • Cream cheese– Use a dairy free cream cheese, preferably from a block (not a spread).

Tips for the best keto frosting

  • For a thicker frosting, do not add any extra milk or water. If it isn’t thick enough to your liking, add more sugar free confectioners’ sugar.
  • If you’d prefer a thin frosting, or want to a more ‘icing’ like texture, add more milk or water.
  • Add some flavor extracts to change the flavors further- Lemon extract, strawberry extract, and coffee extract can all be added to the vanilla base.
  • If you don’t have a stand mixer or hand mixer, you can mix by hand. However, make sure your butter is room temperature and that your sugar has been sifted.

How do you store frosting?

  • To store: Regardless of which flavor you make, you must store them all in the refrigerator, in a sealable container. They will all keep well for up to 1 week. Be sure to let your frosting sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes, before using.
  • To freeze: If you’d like to freeze leftover frosting, store it in a shallow container and use it within 2 months of freezing. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, and let it sit at room temperature before frosting a cake or other dessert.
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Ways to use frosting

  • Cakes– Any of the frostings would be great with some keto birthday cake, chocolate cake, or a flourless chocolate cake.
  • Brownies– Use the cream cheese frosting in cheesecake brownies, the chocolate frosting in flourless brownies, and the vanilla frosting in the cookie dough brownies.
  • Muffins– Add some on the tops of breakfast muffins or fudgy chocolate muffins.
  • Cupcakes– I used the cream cheese and vanilla frostings on keto cupcakes and the chocolate frosting on the vegan cupcakes.

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Keto Frosting {3 Flavors}

5 from 540 votes

Learn how to make keto frosting using 3 ingredients and with 3 flavor options- Chocolate frosting, vanilla frosting, and cream cheese frosting! These sugar free frosting recipes are made with low carb ingredients!

Servings: 12 servings

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 5 minutes mins

Total: 10 minutes mins

Ingredients

For the frosting base

Chocolate Frosting

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1-2 tablespoon milk of choice * see notes

Vanilla Frosting

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl, beat your powdered sugar and butter until combined, and smooth. Add in your vanilla extract.

  • Add your flavor ingredients and continue beating until the desired texture is received. For a thinner texture, add more milk.

Notes

1 serving is 1/2 cup.

For vegan frostings, replace the butter with dairy free butter and dairy free cream cheese.

* Start with 1 tablespoon and add more, as needed.

TO STORE: Regardless of which flavor you make, you must store them all in the refrigerator, in a sealable container. They will all keep well for up to 1 week. Be sure to let your frosting sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes, before using.

TO FREEZE: If you’d like to freeze leftover frosting, store it in a shallow container and use it within 2 months of freezing. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, and let it sit at room temperature before frosting a cake or other dessert.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 107kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 1gFat: 11gSodium: 100mgPotassium: 61mgFiber: 1gVitamin A: 368IUCalcium: 22mgIron: 1mgNET CARBS: 1g

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Author: Arman Liew

Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Keto Frosting Recipes {3 Flavors} (2024)

FAQs

What is a good substitute for buttercream frosting? ›

Ganache, cream cheese frosting, whipped cream frosting, fondant, and meringue frosting are all excellent options that are easy to make and delicious to taste. With the right recipe and techniques, you can achieve a beautifully iced cake without using buttercream.

Can you add flavoring to canned frosting? ›

Adding Flavor to Store-Bought Frosting

Adding extracts, fruit or peanut butter are some of the easiest ways to take your store-bought frosting up a notch! To give your vanilla icing that homemade taste, try mixing in 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

What frosting flavors are there? ›

All About Frostings
  • Creamy Supreme® Frosting. Coffee Frosting. Caramel Latte Frosting. Buttercream Frosting. ...
  • Funfetti® Frosting. Funfetti® S'mores Fluffy Frosting. Funfetti® Dinosaur Vanilla Frosting. Whipped Funfetti® Vanilla Frosting. ...
  • Seasonal Frosting. Funfetti® Midnight Black Chocolate Frosting. Seasonal Cream Cheese Frosting.

What are the four types of frosting? ›

4 Common Types Of Frosting For Desserts
  • Cream cheese frosting. Cream cheese frosting and red velvet cake are traditionally paired with one another. ...
  • Ganache. ...
  • Basic buttercream frosting. ...
  • Whipped cream frosting.
Dec 29, 2016

What is the difference between frosting and buttercream? ›

The best way to distinguish frosting from buttercream is through the ingredients. While both contain powdered sugar, fat, flavouring and sometimes milk or water, frosting does not contain any butter whatsoever. Instead, frosting is usually made with shortening or cream cheese.

What can I put on my cake instead of icing? ›

10 Aesthetic Ways to Decorate a Cake Other Than Frosting
  1. Fondant. Fondant is an extremely useful and versatile decorating material. ...
  2. Ganache. Ganache is a smooth and silky glaze made of chocolate and cream. ...
  3. Fruit. ...
  4. Buttercream Icing. ...
  5. Flowers. ...
  6. Nuts. ...
  7. Sprinkles. ...
  8. Marshmallows.
Jun 18, 2023

How to make canned frosting taste like bakery? ›

How to Upgrade Store-Bought Frosting
  1. Cream cheese. Beat in 8 ounces of room temperature plain or flavored cream cheese. ...
  2. Whipped cream. Mix equal parts freshly whipped cream and frosting. ...
  3. Butter. ...
  4. Peanut butter or other nut butter. ...
  5. Nutella. ...
  6. Cookie butter. ...
  7. Jam, preserves, or marmalade. ...
  8. Lemon curd.
Feb 14, 2024

Can you add jello to frosting for flavor? ›

Jell-O gelatin powder added to frosting adds both flavor and color, eliminating the need for food coloring gels and flavor extracts.

Can I add maple syrup to canned frosting? ›

And, for even more added sweetness, Wilton Blog suggests skipping the pancakes and throwing maple syrup straight into your store-bought icing instead.

What type of frosting do professional bakers use? ›

Swiss meringue buttercream is a favorite among many cake decorators because of its smooth finish on the outside cakes and its ability to hold piping detail.

What is the most popular frosting? ›

Buttercream is the most popular type of frosting largely because of its few ingredients and easy application. Classic buttercream requires beating butter into icing sugar until you reach a frosting consistency.

What is the sweetest frosting? ›

Also known as simple buttercream, American buttercream is the sweetest and easiest type of buttercream to whip up. All you have to do is beat butter until it's light and fluffy, then mix in powdered sugar (a 1:2 ratio is a safe bet), maybe some vanilla, and a splash of milk or cream.

What is a substitute for frosting? ›

Marshmallow Frosting – This is perhaps your best bet. It is still sugary, but it's lighter and it can still be piped. Cream Cheese Icing – Another classic frosting. Whipped Cream with Cream Cheese – For a rich but lighter-tasting topping, you can bulk up whipped cream with cream cheese to help it hold its form.

Which frosting is best for beginners? ›

In terms of ease, buttercream is the best frosting to use as it's easy to make and relatively easy to spread.

What is the smoothest type of frosting? ›

Swiss meringue buttercream is a luxurious and silky frosting made by creating a stable Swiss meringue from heated egg whites and granulated sugar. Gradually incorporating softened butter helps to create the smooth and velvety texture that's perfect for adding a smooth finish to sheet or layer cakes.

Can you use cream instead of buttercream? ›

If you are looking for a super simple frosting that lets the cake shine, whipped cream is the way to go. Unlike a buttercream, which is rich to a fault (it's called buttercream, after all), whipped cream is relatively light and delightfully fluffy. Not to mention, its ingredient list and method are as simple as can be.

Is cream cheese frosting similar to buttercream? ›

Cream Cheese Frosting

This easy frosting is made the same way as traditional buttercream, but some of the butter is swapped out for tangy cream cheese.

What frosting is less sweet than buttercream? ›

What makes ermine frosting special? Beyond the fact that it's less sweet than traditional buttercreams, what sets ermine icing apart is its texture.

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