Vanilla Bean Low Carb Cheesecake Frosting is decadent and rich, with luscious cheesecake texture and just the right sweetness level, balanced with a slight tang from cream cheese.
There are so many fabulous things about a fluffy cream cheese-based frosting. Whipping cream cheese results in a light and ethereally fluffy texture that’s similar to mousse. In addition to luscious texture, this low carb cheesecake frosting has great cheesecake flavor with a perfect sweetness level. Using cream cheese in addition to butter adds bulk and stability to the frosting without the need for a ton of powdered erythritol (or powdered sugar). A thick layer of this frosting turns just about anything into a completely decadent treat.
Here are a few ways in which I like to use this low carb cheesecake frosting:
- On top of keto brownies
- To frost carrot cake or keto butter cake
- As a creamy filling to make low carb whoopie pies or cookie sandwiches
- Eat it with a spoon, just like a cheesecake mousse (it’s basically just a keto fat bomb!)
Cream Cheese
Lending itself equally well to sweet treats (like cheesecake and this low carb cheesecake frosting) and savory recipes (like macaroni and cheese and creamy soups), cream cheese is an incredibly versatile ingredient.
Cream Cheese Nutrition Information
According to the USDA National Food Database, 1 (1 oz/28.35 g) serving of full fat cream cheese has the following nutrition information:
99kcals
1.74g protein
9.76g total fat
1.56g carbohydrates
Is Cream Cheese Good for Keto?
Full fat cream cheese is commonly used in quite a few keto recipes, including recipes for both sweet and savory fat bombs, keto baked goods, and keto soups and sauces (because it acts as a thickener without the need to use flour). Because it’s high in fat and low in protein and carbs, full fat cream cheese can be a great tool to help you get in enough fat and keep your macros on-point.
What is Powdered Erythritol?
Erythritol is a sugar alcohol, also known as a polyol, which naturally occurs in some fruits and fermented foods, and is also a by-product of the fermentation of wheat or cornstarch. It has negligible calories and carbs, and is frequently used as an alternative sweetener to sugar. Erythritol doesn’t noticeably effect blood sugar levels, and it tends to cause less stomach distress than other sugar alcohols (because much of erythritol is absorbed into the bloodstream and excreted through the urine). (Read more about erythritol on HealthLine and VeryWell Fit.)
I typically buy Swerve Confectioners, which is powdered erythritol. However, powdered erythritol is easy to make at home. Just add granulated erythritol to a blender (a high speed blender works best) and process until powdery.
How to Make Icing without Sugar
Since I started eating more low carb and keto foods, I’ve played with quite a few different recipes for icing and frosting without sugar. Here are a few of my favorite methods:
- Make a simple American buttercream (which typically consists of powdered sugar, butter, flavoring (such as vanilla), and a splash of milk) using powdered erythritol instead of powdered sugar.
- Use sweetened whipped cream flavored with vanilla or cocoa powder.
- Melt 90% dark chocolate and mix it with a bit of heavy cream to make a ganache.
- Use a combination of butter and cream cheese as the base, like in this low carb cheesecake frosting!
How to Make Easy Fluffy Cream Cheese Frosting
Fluffy cream cheese frosting is one of the easiest types of frosting to make! I start with room temperature butter and cream cheese and cream it together with a handheld electric mixer. Then I add in a bit of sweetener (Swerve Confectioners and stevia glycerite), as well as flavorings (vanilla bean paste, vanilla extract, and almond extract). Lastly, I thin out the frosting a bit with a little heavy whipping cream for a smooth and creamy texture.
Ingredients in This Vanilla Bean Low Carb Cheesecake Frosting:
- Cream cheese
- Unsalted butter
- Swerve Confectioners
- Stevia glycerite
- Vanilla bean paste
- Pure vanilla extract
- Almond extract
- Heavy whipping cream

Vanilla Bean Low Carb Cheesecake Frosting
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: 2 cups, 16 (2-tablespoon) servings 1x
Description
Vanilla Bean Low Carb Cheesecake Frosting is decadent and rich, with luscious cheesecake texture and just the right sweetness level, balanced with a slight tang from cream cheese.
Ingredients
- 8 oz (227 g) organic cream cheese, at room temperature
- 8 tablespoons (113 g) organic unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons Swerve Confectioners
- ⅛ teaspoon stevia glycerite
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 6 tablespoons organic heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Cream together the cream cheese and butter in a large bowl.
- Beat in the Swerve Confectioners, stevia glycerite, vanilla bean paste, vanilla extract, and almond extract until fully incorporated.
- Lastly, beat in the cream until smooth.
- Use to frost your favorite cakes, brownies, and cookies.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 119kcals
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 97mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 38mg
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Amanda Savage
I'm unable to find the vanilla bean paste here, can I leave it out and increase the vanilla extract?
faith
Amanda, Yes! It will have a slightly less rich vanilla flavor and it won't have the little specks of vanilla, but other than that it should be very similar.