Sugar Free Buttercream Icing

Sugar Free Buttercream Icing is the perfect alternative to frosting.
 

I really like that this icing has the same great buttercream taste as frosting but, in a lighter texture.

Sugar Free Buttercream Icing

 
This is a delicious baked goods topping that has no added sugar.
 
Sugar free butter cream icing is also low in carbohydrates and keto diet friendly.

Did you try my Sugar Free Copycat Nutella recipe?

That chocolaty hazelnut spread is perfect for spreading on top of toast or your favorite sugar free cookie. You could even stir a tablespoon or two of that chocolate hazelnut spread into this icing to make this recipe even more flavorful!

 

An important ingredient to the success of this icing is Meringue Powder. You can find Meringue Powder here.

People often ask what is the difference between icing and frosting.

It is common for people to use the words 'icing' and 'frosting' interchangeably.
I mean, they both go on top of baked goods to make those goods taste and look better.

However, there is a difference between icing and frosting.
 

Frosting is a thicker and more dense topping that usually goes on top of more dense baked goods such as cake. On the other hand, icing is a thinner in consistency topping that can go on smaller baked goods such as cupcakes and cookies or it can be used for decorating.

You may be wondering what is buttercream icing.

Buttercream icing is a thinner version of buttercream frosting.
Like its frosting version, this icing is used to add flavor and to balance out the dryness of the baked goods that it goes on top of.

Why is it called buttercream?
 

Really it is all about the butter. Real butter that is creamed with flavorings such as sugar (or sugar alternative), some kind of extract flavoring, and maybe a liquid to get the consistency right for spreading. This recipe adjusts the liquid ingredients to make this icing a thinner version of the frosting.

Here are some tips for making buttercream icing.

Because buttercream frosting and icing depends upon the butter, you should use real butter for best results. Using a butter alternative will have an effect on the texture and may also melt or drip off of what it goes on top of (I've seen this happen!).

Here are some more tips for you.

1. Are you looking for a really bright white color? Add a drop of purple food coloring to the mixture.
2. Or, you can add a drop or two of another color of food coloring to get a colored icing.
3. While I am using vanilla extract, you can use another flavor extract for your icing. Almond extract or maple extract are nice ones to try.
4. Texture can be an important factor for making the perfect (for your needs) icing. You can adjust the texture as needed of your icing by adding a drop at a time of water (to thin) or a pinch at a time of the sugar alternative (to thicken).

 

How to store buttercream icing.

Leftover buttercream icing can be stored in an air tight container and refrigerated.
If properly stored, it should keep for about a week. Allow the refrigerated icing to sit at room temperature before using.

 

Here are some similar recipes that you may also like.

 

• Sugar Free French Silk Pie
• FABULOUS Sugar Free Fudge
• Sugar Free Peanut Butter Pie
• Keto Chaffle Ice Cream Sandwich
• Sugar Free Copycat Oreo Crumbl Cookies
• Stevia Cream Cheese Frosting
• Sugar Free Jello Frosting
• How to Make Sugar Free Royal Icing with Stevia
• Sugar Free Buttercream Frosting

 

Keep up to date with my recipes

 

You can check out my guide on baking with sugar alternatives on Amazon
 

I have some great tips on which alternatives may work in a recipe such as this one.

Be sure to follow me on facebook and subscribe to my recipes via email to keep up to date as well.

 

You may be wondering what does meringue powder do to icing.

 

This icing recipe calls for meringue powder. Using meringue powder in icing or frosting may seem unusual but, there are some good reasons why we are adding it.

Here is what meringue powder does to this icing.

• Meringue powder helps to keep the structure of icing intact. As a result, you icing is more likely to stay in place rather than drip.
• Also, meringue powder helps to thicken this recipe as we are using water as the wet ingredient.
• Lastly, meringue powder is used as an alternative to the egg whites that other icing recipes may use. It really helps to keep the icing stable.

 

Ingredients needed to make buttercream icing.

• Meringue Powder- 2 tablespoons plus 1 ½ teaspoon.
• Sugar Free Powdered Sugar- 16 ounces. If your product does not measure 1:1 with sugar, you can adjust the butter and water that is added as needed.
• Water- 6 to 8 tablespoons, as needed for texture.
• Butter- 2 pounds, which is eight sticks. The butter should be softened to room temperature and unsalted butter is preferred.
• Vanilla Extract- 2 teaspoons.
• Optional- food coloring as desired.

 

How to make Sugar Free Buttercream Icing

 

• Place the meringue powder, sugar free powdered sugar, and six tablespoons of the water into a mixing bowl. Outfit your mixer with a paddle attachment. Mix this for five minutes as a royal icing consistency will result.
• If you want a simple sugar free royal icing for cookies etc. you can stop here.
• For the next step, we will add the butter and vanilla to the mixing bowl and beat for 25-30 minutes (yes...minutes). Beat the ingredients on a high speed as we want a silky and smooth buttercream icing to result.
• If you are adding optional food coloring, you can do this before you mix on high for 25-30 minutes.

 

The Recipe Card for Sugar Free Buttercream Icing

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Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that are used.

Please see recipe post for further details on this recipe.

You can see items that have been featured on my Sugar Free Sunday Spotlight here.