The recipe for an easy 4 Ingredient Sugar Free Vanilla Frosting (2024)

Published: · Modified: by thesugarfreediva. · This post may contain affiliate or amazon links.

A sugar free or low sugar way to make an easy and quick frosting.

See The Recipe

This 4 Ingredient Sugar Free Vanilla Frosting could be about the easiest frosting ever to make.
When I am in a hurry, I really like to make an easy recipe such as this one.

4 Ingredient Sugar Free Vanilla Frosting

If you are like me, you have probably made a cake or a cupcake on a 'spur-of-the-moment' whim. Or, maybe you have forgotten that you needed to bring a cake to a gathering or that you have promised to bake a cake but, forgot to do so. Those are all great reasons to mae a 4 ingredient frosting.

I am using vanilla in this recipe because vanilla is kind of like a standard or basic fallback flavor.
The truth is that if you are wanting to use another flavor for your frosting you can easily sub that flavor in for the vanilla. I would however, advice you to use a flavor that is a nice complement to the flavor of what ever you are going to frost.

There is of course a secret ingredient in this recipe.

That secret ingredient is sugar free powdered sugar. Do not panic if you have no sugar free powdered sugar on hand. I do have an easy recipe for making your own sugar free powdered sugar. If you do not want to make your own powdered sugar, you can easily buy some online. I actually have some on hand but, also like to make it when I need some.

Earlier in this post I also mentioned that your could substitute another flavor extract in for the vanilla.
There are some great extract flavors that I have found online. I happen to live in the kind of town that is limited at times at what is available in the stores. You can buy Hazelnut Extract, Pure Pumpkin Pie Spice , Pure Peppermint, Pure Lemon Extract, as well as many other extract flavors online.

By the way, I do have many other recipes for sugar free frosting. Here is a 5 ingredient sugar free cream cheese frosting. Pudding and cream cheese frosting. And a Stevia cream cheese frosting.

The Recipe for 4 Ingredient Sugar Free Vanilla Frosting

This is a rather simple frosting recipe. That idea makes me happy.

What you will need for this recipe.

  1. Sugar Free Powdered Sugar- see post for details on where to buy this or how to make your own. 2 ½- 3 cups depending on consistency desired.2 ½- 3 cups depending on consistency desired.Start with the 2 ½ cups and then add a bit at a time until you reach desired consistency..
  2. Milk- can use sugar free, unsweetened, or low sugar alternative* (I am into almond milk these days)- 2 tablespoons.
  3. Butter- 2 sticks (1 cup) softened (yes you can use an alternative *)
  4. Vanilla or other extract- 1 teaspoon. See post for alternatives.

*Just a note, when you use an alternative, you may be trading in consistency and or taste for whatever benefit that alternative may offer.

How to make this recipe.

Simply combine all ingredients into your mixer and mix until you reach that 'fluffy' consistency that you desire. Yay!

The recipe for an easy 4 Ingredient Sugar Free Vanilla Frosting (3)

Print Recipe

4.39 from 173 votes

4 Ingredient Sugar Free Vanilla Frosting

A sugar free or low sugar way to make an easy and quick frosting.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time5 minutes mins

Total Time10 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • Sugar Free Powdered Sugar- see post for details on where to buy this or how to make your own. 2 ½- 3 cups depending on consistency desired.Start with the 2 ½ cups and then add a bit at a time until you reach desired consistency..
  • Milk- can use sugar free unsweetened, or low sugar alternative* (I am into almond milk these days)- 2 tablespoons.
  • Butter- 2 sticks softened yes you can use an alternative *
  • Vanilla or other extract- 1 teaspoon. See post for alternatives.

Instructions

  • Simply combine all ingredients into your mixer and mix until you reach that 'fluffy' consistency that you desire. Yay!

Recipe Notes

*Just a note, when you use an alternative, you may be trading in consistency and or taste for whatever benefit that alternative may offer.

most recently updated:

November 27, 2017

*About Sugar Alternatives

Specific sugar alternatives are not given in the recipes presented on this site. Only suggestions are given as to the 'kind' of alternative to use. It is up to you to select the alternative to use that suits your needs best. If the recipe is heated or cooked, it is best to use an alternative that can be heated or cooked with for best results. This site does not endorse any specific ingredients,

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that the links on this website, and specifically on this post, that lead to other sites may be affiliate links.
Please note: Nutritional data has been calculated using a tool that comes with this recipe card and not by me. This means that Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that you use. The accuracy of this tool may differ from other tools as expected. Also note that there is no instructional value to the video that may be attached to this recipe. It is only there for visual pleasure. For more information about the images in this recipe, please refer the the recipe instructions. Thank you!

Follow Me

« Sugar Free Gingerbread Cookies

(low) Sugar Free Cranberry Bread Recipe »

About the Sugar Free Diva

A Reformed Sugar Addict turned author and restaurant owner.The recipe for an easy 4 Ingredient Sugar Free Vanilla Frosting (4)The Sugar Free Diva is also a happy dog owner, chocolate lover, and discreet handbag hoarder.

Get Free Recipes in Your Email Box

Subscribe to the Sugar Free Diva Newsletter!
This email newsletter is sent to your mailbox three days a week. You are able to monitor your subscription by clicking on "preferences" at any time.

Get these Sugar Free Recipes while you are here!

Sugar Free Cool Whip Cookies

No Added Sugar- Banana and Coconut Bread

Sugar Free Frozen Hot Chocolate

Sugar Free Brownie Baked Oatmeal

Sugar Free Carrot Cake Muffins

Raspberry Oatmeal Bars- No Added Sugar

No Added Sugar Strawberry Tart

Sugar Free Cinnamon Roll Blondie Bars

See More Recipes→

Did you make this recipe?

Be sure to tag me @thesugarfreediva on social media if you post any photos!

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that the links on this website, and specifically on this post, that lead to other sites may be affiliate links.

The recipe for an easy 4 Ingredient Sugar Free Vanilla Frosting (2024)

FAQs

What is homemade frosting made of? ›

Icing recipes typically combine powdered sugar and liquid (like water, milk or juice) whereas buttercream frosting is made by creaming together butter, sugar and a little bit of milk to make the frosting fluffy, smooth and perfectly spreadable.

What type of frosting is the simplest thing to do? ›

AMERICAN BUTTERCREAM

American buttercream frosting is known for its versatility and simple preparation. You can easily make this type of frosting in your stand mixer by creaming together butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream and other flavors for use on cakes, cookies, brownies and cupcakes.

What is the secret ingredient that will improve your frosting? ›

By mixing in some vinegar, it will give another layer of flavor and also help hold the icing together better. (In general, you'll need a quarter of a teaspoon of vinegar for every three egg whites you use.)

How do you stiffen icing without powdered sugar? ›

If you are trying to avoid any sweetness to your frosting you could try some cream of tartar or some cornstarch mixed with a little milk. You can also whip heavy cream to stiff peaks and fold into the softened cream cheese. People use gelatin to thicken and set whipped cream frostings.

What is the most important ingredient in frosting? ›

Sugar is the most important ingredient in all types of frostings, providing sweetness, flavor, bulk and structure.

Which frosting is best for beginners? ›

Best frosting for: beginner cake bakers

If you're a cake baker just looking for the basics, American-style buttercream is a good place to start. No need to worry about syrup temperature or whipping meringue: just cream together butter (or shortening) and sugar, and you're basically set.

How do you make cheap frosting better? ›

Smooth Additions
  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. This makes a buttercream more buttery. ...
  4. Peanut butter or other nut butter. ...
  5. Nutella. ...
  6. Cookie butter. ...
  7. Jam, preserves, or marmalade. ...
  8. Lemon curd.
Feb 14, 2024

What can I use instead of frosting? ›

Caramel can be a great alternative to frosting when it comes to decorating a cake. Caramel provides a rich flavor and sweetness while giving the cake a glossy, golden-brown color. It's also much easier to use than frosting; all you need to do is melt the caramel, pour it over the cake, and let it harden.

What can I add to vanilla frosting to make it better? ›

Other smooth ingredients that you can add to amp up a canned frosting are peanut butter (or any nut butter of your choosing), fruit preserves or jam, nutella, marshmallow creme, cookie butter, or a citrus curd. You'll need anywhere from ½ cup to 1 cup for one (16-ounce) tub of frosting.

How do you make frosting taste like bakery? ›

Whip the frosting with half a block of cream cheese and an extra cup of powdered sugar and a few drops of the appropriate flavoring extract. If you're using chocolate, add cocoa powder. If you want a richer buttery flavor add a few tablespoons of butter as well.

How to make vanilla can frosting better? ›

7 Ways to Make Canned Frosting Taste Homemade
  1. Whip the frosting. arinahabich/Getty Images. ...
  2. Thin it out. Since canned frosting is typically super thick, another way to get it to taste homemade is to make it thinner. ...
  3. Flavor with extract. ...
  4. Make it extra smooth. ...
  5. Add a pinch of salt. ...
  6. Give it more texture. ...
  7. Add color.
Apr 2, 2021

How do you thicken icing without cornstarch or sugar? ›

If you are making warm frosting on your stovetop, you can try thickening a runny frosting with a bit of flour. Sprinkle 1 tsp to 1 Tbsp (5 ml to 15 ml) of flour into the frosting and stir over low heat on the stove until it begins to thicken.

How do you make frosting less runny without powdered sugar? ›

Dry/thick ingredients like cocoa powder, freeze dried fruit (powder,) and peanut butter will help thicken frosting, while vanilla and brown butter should be added sparingly to make sure it's the right texture. Storage Tips: Once you achieve the perfect consistency, store your frosting in an airtight container.

How to make 2 cups of powdered sugar? ›

The magic ratio is 1 cup granulated sugar to 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Combine the two in a high-powered blender like a Vitamix, a food processor, or spice grinder, then blitz away until you have a soft, powdery consistency—the total time could be several minutes, depending on the power of your machine.

What is buttercream frosting made of? ›

Buttercream is a sweet and fluffy frosting made by creaming butter and sugar. Other common ingredients include milk (to create the perfect texture) and vanilla (for simple, crowd-pleasing flavor). Though vanilla is the most popular buttercream flavor, it's also commonly found in chocolate or fruit-flavored varieties.

Is homemade frosting better? ›

Canned frosting is a great way to save you some extra time when it comes to preparing a cake, but there is no denying that a homemade frosting in comparison to store-bought is always just a little bit more delicious.

What can I substitute for frosting? ›

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. You could put almost no sugar in this.

What are the ingredients in store frosting? ›

Sugar, Palm Oil, Water, Corn Syrup, Corn Starch, Canola Oil, Contains 2% Or Less Of: Artificial Flavor, Salt, Mono And Diglycerides, Artificial Color, Polysorbate 60, Modified Corn Starch, Potassium Sorbate (Preservative), Soy Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Antioxidants (Ascorbyl Palmitate, Mixed Tocopherols, ...

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Frankie Dare

Last Updated:

Views: 5675

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (73 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Frankie Dare

Birthday: 2000-01-27

Address: Suite 313 45115 Caridad Freeway, Port Barabaraville, MS 66713

Phone: +3769542039359

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Baton twirling, Stand-up comedy, Leather crafting, Rugby, tabletop games, Jigsaw puzzles, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Frankie Dare, I am a funny, beautiful, proud, fair, pleasant, cheerful, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.