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Healthy Cream Cheese Date Frosting doesn't use powdered sugar, a sugar substitute, or butter. Yet, it's sweet, creamy, and perfect for carrot cake, cinnamon rolls, and so many other sweet treats!

Healthy Cream Cheese Frosting in a crock with lid in the background

I'm over the moon excited to share this recipe for healthy cream cheese frosting sweetened with Medjool date paste. It has just a few ingredients and is easy to make. Using the right type of cream cheese, it's vegan too. Most importantly, it's absolutely divine!

Even though it's healthy, it doesn't taste healthy, which is why it's such a hit at my house.

We use to frost Pineapple Carrot Muffins because you can't have a good-for-you muffin topped with sugar-laden icing.

Ingredients

There are just three ingredients in this cream cheese date frosting recipe:

Cream cheese - any variety, or check out these substitutes for cream cheese, including some vegan options!
- Note: Cream cheese is easier to work with at room temperature. Remove it from the wrapper, cut it into cubes, and allow it to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes. Another option is to microwave the cubes for about 10 seconds.
Date paste - can be purchased online or in specialty stores, but it's so easy to make! Soften and then puree Medjool dates in a food processor until they reach a creamy consistency. Check out our full tutorial on How to Make Date Jam.
- Note: for best results, allow the date paste to come to room temperature along with the cream cheese.
Vanilla extract - can be left of out of the recipe but adds a little magic. Other extract flavors, such as orange or almond, would be amazing too.

Additionally, milk of any type (including skim, rice, or almond milk) may be added to thin the frosting if desired. However, I find that just whipping the ingredients a little bit longer usually lightens it up perfectly.

Graphic showing ingredients in healthy cream cheese frosting with labels on cream cheese, date paste and vanilla.

How to Make Healthy Cream Cheese Frosting with Date Paste

To make the frosting, thoroughly combine the ingredients with a hand mixer. Beat the mixture for several minutes for a light, fluffy frosting. That's it!

Give it a taste. Add another tablespoon of date paste for a sweeter result. (I have a sweet tooth and I don't have to do this!)

If necessary, add milk in teaspoon increments to make the frosting thinner.

Note: The frosting color is a light creamy brown with tiny specs of dates. It tends to lighten in color the longer it is mixed and may darken a little in the refrigerator as the dates settle.

The recipe yields 2 cups of frosting. If you're making a 2 layer cake, double the recipe. Otherwise, this amount should cover 2 dozen cupcakes, muffins or cinnamon rolls.

Date Paste Cream Cheese Frosting in a small bowl with knife in front with frosting on it.

How to Store Cream Cheese Frosting

Store cheese frosting in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Lift it out of the refrigerator about an hour before you want to use it and allow it to come to room temperature before frosting a cake. You may even want to fluff it up with a hand mixer again.

Ways to Use Healthy Cream Cheese Frosting

Here are some ideas for using it:

Muffin topping, especially Healthy Carrot Cake Muffins!
Frosting for Carrot Cake and Cupcakes
Icing for Red Velvet Cake
Icing for Healthier Hummingbird Cake
Cinnamon rolls
Bagel topping
Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries - follow this process but fill each strawberry with the cream cheese frosting.
Dip for fruits like apples, strawberries, and grapes
Base layer for Dessert Pizza with Fruit Topping

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