Quick and easy honey frosting recipe, homemade with simple ingredients. This cream cheese buttercream frosting has no powdered sugar, making it a healthier option. Perfect for spreading and piping on cakes and cupcakes, this frosting brings a delightful sweetness and creamy texture to your desserts, making it suitable for any occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: With just a few ingredients and minimal preparation time, you can whip up this frosting in no time.
- Natural Sweetness: Using honey instead of powdered sugar provides a unique flavor that is both rich and natural.
- Versatile Use: This frosting works beautifully on cupcakes, cakes, or even as a dip for fruits.
- No Powdered Sugar Needed: Ideal for those who prefer to avoid refined sugars but still want a delicious frosting.
- Creamy Texture: The combination of cream cheese and butter creates a smooth frosting that’s easy to spread and pipe.
Tools and Preparation
To create your Easy Honey Frosting (Without Powdered Sugar), you’ll need some essential tools. Having the right equipment makes the process smoother and more enjoyable.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Spatula
- Piping bag (optional)
Importance of Each Tool
- Mixing bowl: Provides ample space to combine all ingredients thoroughly without mess.
- Electric mixer or whisk: Ensures that the cream cheese and butter blend smoothly for a fluffy texture.
- Spatula: Helps in scraping down the sides of the bowl to incorporate all ingredients evenly.
- Piping bag: Perfect for creating beautiful designs on your baked goods if you choose to pipe the frosting.

Ingredients
Quick and easy honey frosting recipe, homemade with simple ingredients. This cream cheese buttercream frosting has no powdered sugar. It’s perfect for spreading and piping on cakes and cupcakes.
For the Frosting
- 8 oz. Cream cheese (Full fat, Room temperature; Can also use honey cinnamon or honey cream cheese)
- 1/2 cup Butter (Unsalted, Room temperature)
- 1/3 cup Honey (I highly recommend using raw honey because it is thicker and sweeter)
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp Pumpkin spice extract (Can also use cinnamon spice extract)
- 1/8 tsp Sea salt
How to Make Easy Honey Frosting (Without Powdered Sugar)
Step 1: Cream the Base
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter until smooth.
Step 2: Mix in Sweetness
Add the honey, cornstarch, extracts, and salt. Mix until the icing is fluffy and very creamy. Expect an off-white or pale beige color.
Step 3: Chill for Firmness
Chill in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes to make it firmer.
Step 4: Pipe or Spread
Fill a piping bag with this buttercream. Attach Wilton tip 1M (big star tip) to pipe swirls on cupcakes. Alternatively, you can use a spatula to spread icing instead of piping. Enjoy!
How to Serve Easy Honey Frosting (Without Powdered Sugar)
This delightful Easy Honey Frosting is versatile and can elevate a variety of desserts. Whether you’re hosting a party or just want to enjoy a sweet treat, here are some serving suggestions to bring out the best in this frosting.
On Cupcakes
- Classic Vanilla Cupcakes: Swirl the honey frosting on top for a creamy finish that balances sweetness.
- Chocolate Cupcakes: The rich flavor of chocolate pairs beautifully with the lightness of honey frosting.
As a Cake Filling
- Layer Cakes: Use this frosting between cake layers to add moisture and a hint of sweetness.
- Pound Cakes: Spread generously on slices for an indulgent dessert experience.
With Fresh Fruit
- Fruit Platters: Serve as a dip for strawberries, apples, or bananas, enhancing their natural flavors.
- Tropical Fruit Salad: Drizzle over mixed fruits for added sweetness and creaminess.
On Pancakes or Waffles
- Breakfast Delight: Spread on warm pancakes or waffles instead of syrup for a unique twist on breakfast classics.
How to Perfect Easy Honey Frosting (Without Powdered Sugar)
To ensure your Easy Honey Frosting turns out perfectly every time, consider these helpful tips.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Starting with cream cheese and butter at room temperature helps achieve a smoother consistency.
- Choose Quality Honey: Opt for raw honey for its thicker texture and richer flavor, which enhances the overall taste of the frosting.
- Adjust Sweetness: If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the amount of honey slightly without compromising texture.
- Incorporate Flavor Extracts: Experiment with different extracts like almond or citrus to add unique flavor profiles to your frosting.
- Chill Before Piping: Refrigerating the frosting for about 20 minutes can make it firmer and easier to work with when piping.
Best Side Dishes for Easy Honey Frosting (Without Powdered Sugar)
Pairing side dishes with desserts using Easy Honey Frosting can create delightful combinations. Here are some options that complement this sweet treat well.
- Fruit Salad: A refreshing medley of seasonal fruits that balances out the sweetness of the frosting.
- Granola Bars: Crunchy granola bars provide texture contrast and are perfect for snacking alongside frosted treats.
- Cheese Platter: A selection of mild cheeses enhances flavors and provides a savory counterpoint to sweet desserts.
- Carrot Sticks and Hummus: This healthy snack offers crunchiness that pairs well with sweet frostings when enjoyed together.
- Nut Mix: A blend of roasted nuts adds a satisfying crunch and richness that complements sweet flavors wonderfully.
- Oatmeal Cookies: Soft cookies provide a chewy base that works well with creamy honey frosting spread over them.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Making frosting can be simple, but certain mistakes can affect the final result. Here are some common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
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Ignoring room temperature ingredients: Using cold cream cheese or butter can lead to a lumpy frosting. Always ensure your ingredients are at room temperature for a smooth blend.
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Overmixing the frosting: While you want fluffy frosting, overmixing can cause it to become too airy or lose structure. Mix until just combined and fluffy.
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Not chilling the frosting: Skipping the chilling step may result in a runny texture that’s hard to spread or pipe. Refrigerate the frosting for about 20 minutes to firm it up.
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Using flavored honey without testing: Different types of honey can have strong flavors. Test the flavor first to ensure it complements your dessert before adding large amounts.
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Neglecting measurement accuracy: Baking is precise, and incorrect measurements can ruin your frosting. Use measuring cups and spoons for accurate ingredient amounts.
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Forgetting about salt: A pinch of sea salt balances sweetness and enhances flavor. Don’t skip this step; it truly makes a difference!

Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Easy Honey Frosting (Without Powdered Sugar) is best used within 5 days.
Freezing Easy Honey Frosting (Without Powdered Sugar)
- Place in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag.
- It can be frozen for up to 2 months for best quality.
Reheating Easy Honey Frosting (Without Powdered Sugar)
- Oven: Preheat to low heat, then warm frosting in an oven-safe bowl, stirring occasionally.
- Microwave: Heat in short bursts (5-10 seconds), stirring after each interval until slightly softened.
- Stovetop: Warm gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re curious about using this recipe, here are some questions that might help you out.
How can I make Easy Honey Frosting (Without Powdered Sugar) vegan?
You can substitute cream cheese with a plant-based cream cheese alternative and use vegan butter instead of regular butter.
What desserts pair well with this honey frosting?
This honey frosting works wonderfully on cupcakes, cakes, or even as a filling for pastries and cookies.
Can I add color to my Easy Honey Frosting (Without Powdered Sugar)?
Yes! You can use gel food coloring to achieve any shade you desire without altering the consistency of the frosting.
How do I adjust the sweetness of my frosting?
To make it less sweet, reduce the amount of honey used. You can also add more cream cheese for balance.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Honey Frosting (Without Powdered Sugar) is not only simple but also versatile and delicious. You can customize it by adding different flavor extracts or spices according to your taste. Whether you’re topping cupcakes or spreading on cakes, this recipe is sure to delight!
Easy Honey Frosting (Without Powdered Sugar)
Elevate your desserts with this Easy Honey Frosting (Without Powdered Sugar). This delightful buttercream frosting combines cream cheese and honey for a naturally sweet, creamy texture that’s perfect for spreading or piping on cakes and cupcakes. With no refined sugars, it’s a healthier alternative that doesn’t sacrifice taste. Whether you’re decorating a birthday cake or simply indulging in a sweet treat, this frosting adds a touch of elegance to any dessert. Its versatility means it can also double as a dip for fresh fruit or be used to enhance breakfast favorites like pancakes and waffles. Quick to prepare and using simple ingredients, this frosting is bound to become a favorite in your baking repertoire.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: About 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No cooking required
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 8 oz Cream cheese (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup Unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1/3 cup Honey (preferably raw)
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp Pumpkin spice extract (or cinnamon)
- 1/8 tsp Sea salt
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Add honey, cornstarch, extracts, and sea salt; mix until fluffy and creamy.
- Chill the frosting in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes to firm it up.
- Pipe onto cupcakes or spread onto cakes as desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons (30g)
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg




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