Cream cheese icing for cinnamon rolls without powdered sugar

This cream cheese frosting is thick, fluffy, and pipeable. This easy cream cheese frosting is made without powdered sugar and is made with just 4 simple ingredients!

Table of Contents Show

Ingredients
Reader Interactions
What can I use instead of powdered sugar for frosting?
How do you make cream cheese frosting thicker without powdered sugar?
Can you use regular sugar instead of powdered sugar for glaze?
What is the icing made of on cinnamon rolls?

This is the ultimate, light and fluffy cream cheese frosting. It has a nice tang to it that cuts some of the sweetness.

I've made a lot of versions of cream cheese icing over the years, but this recipe is my favorite easy, pipeable frosting.

It's a little different than traditional cream cheese frosting because it's made without powdered sugar and without butter. Instead, it uses granulated sugar (check out my super popular whipped buttercream frosting recipe that also uses granulated sugar) and all cream cheese.

This frosting is so thick and fluffy and creamy that you'd never guess that it has granulated sugar in it.

It's perfect for topping cakes, cupcakes, or cinnamon rolls!

Ingredients

Heavy cream - Heavy cream is also called "heavy whipping cream".
Granulated sugar - This recipe uses granulated sugar, not powdered sugar.
Cream cheese - I recommend using full-fat cream cheese. It's thicker and richer than reduced-fat cream cheese. I don't recommend using fat-free cream cheese.
Vanilla extract - I like to use pure vanilla extract for the best flavoring. However, you can use clear vanilla extract to keep the frosting lighter.

This frosting is so simple to make!

In a chilled mixing bowl, use either a hand mixer or a stand mixer to beat cream on high until stiff peaks begin to form. Cover and place in the refrigerator to chill while you continue.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla together until well-combined, about 2-3 minutes on high. It's important that the cream cheese and sugar be well-combined, so don't cut this step short.

Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until combined.

FAQs

Can this cream cheese frosting be piped?

Yes, the frosting is pipeable.

Does this frosting crust?

No, the frosting stays soft and doesn't crust.

Can I make cream cheese frosting ahead of time?

Yes, you can mix it up, covered, and chill it until you're ready to use it.

Do I need to chill the frosting?

Yes, cream cheese frosting should be stored, covered, in the fridge.

Can I make the frosting thicker?

Yes, you can use less whipped cream to make a thicker frosting.

Mixer

▢ 1 cup heavy cream
▢ 8 ounces cream cheese softened1
▢ ¾ cup granulated sugar
▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a chilled bowl, beat cream on high until stiff peaks begin to form.
Cover and chill while you continue.
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla together until well-combined, about 2-3 minutes on high. It's important that the cream cheese and sugar be well-combined, so don't cut this step short.
Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until combined.
Chill leftovers.

The cream cheese should be soft and at room temperature. If it's too cold, it can clump up when mixed with the whipped cream.
Nutritional values are estimates.

Kate got her first cookbook when she was five years old, and she hasn't stopped cooking since then! Her delicious recipes have been featured on Food Network, MSN, Better Homes & Gardens, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post, and more. When she's not cooking or baking, she can be found on her mini farm with her husband and her five kids.

Reader Interactions

What can I use instead of powdered sugar for frosting?

Erythritol is ideal as a substitute for powdered sugar for frosting or sprinkling on top of cakes. Swerve confectioners is a well-known brand based on erythritol and a very popular keto option. It's a 1:1 ratio as a replacement, so just use it as you would powdered sugar in any recipe.

How do you make cream cheese frosting thicker without powdered sugar?

What do you thicken frosting without powdered sugar? A. There are several easy ways to make frosting thicker without adding any sugar or extra sweetness. Try flour, cornstarch, meringue powder, gelatin or cocoa powder for unsweet thickeners.

Can you use regular sugar instead of powdered sugar for glaze?

While many glazes are created using powdered sugar, a perfectly wonderful glaze can be created using regular granulated white sugar and lemon juice, water or milk.

What is the icing made of on cinnamon rolls?

Easy Cinnamon Roll Glaze Ingredients include powdered sugar (also known as confectioner's sugar), butter, milk and vanilla. Cinnamon Roll Glaze isn't just for cinnamon rolls though, it's also great for dipping muffins into! You can drizzle it over cakes, pound cakes, breads and so much more.