This Sugar Free Buttercream Icing is like having the flavor of buttercream frosting in an icing form.
Made with butter and meringue powder, this icing is both flavorful and easily spreadable while being able to hold a structure, making it perfect for topping your cupcakes or favorite dessert with!
What you will read about in this recipe.
What makes Buttercream Icing so good?
Buttercream icing is the perfect marriage of buttercream frosting and icing as you get a frosting with the same flavors of buttercream frosting without the thicker texture.
I like that there are so many uses for this buttercream uses because of its texture and being a buttercream.
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.
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What you need to make buttercream 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. This is used instead of cream cheese.
- Sugar Free Powdered Sugar- If your product does not measure 1:1 with sugar, you can adjust the butter and water that is added as needed.
- Water- Needed for texture.
- Butter- The butter should be softened to room temperature and unsalted butter is preferred.
- Vanilla Extract
- Optional- food coloring as desired.
How to make 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.
Tips for making the best 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.
- Are you looking for a really bright white color? Add a drop of purple food coloring to the mixture.
- Or, you can add a drop or two of another color of food coloring to get a colored icing.
- 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.
- 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 airtight container and refrigerated.
If properly stored, it should keep for about a week. Allow the refrigerated icing to sit at room temperature before using.
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Print the recipe for Buttercream icing.
Sugar Free Buttercream Icing
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Meringue Powder
- 1 ½ tsp Meringue Powder
- 16 oz Sugar Free Powdered Sugar - See post for details.
- 6 tbsp Water - additional as needed
- 2 lbs Butter
- 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- 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.
Recipe Notes
Please see recipe post for further details on this recipe.
Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that are used. See thesugarfreediva.com for details on this recipe.
most recently updated:
May 31, 2022*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,
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Nutrition
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!
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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.
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