Did you know you could make frosting with greek yogurt?! Yep! To be honest, I don’t love most frosting (unless it’s a cream cheese frosting). I find them way too sweet or lacking in flavor, especially from store-bought baked goods. But this greek yogurt frosting is different and so delicious!
While traditional frosting is made with powdered sugar, we are swapping it out for maple syrup. It adds a sweet caramel-like flavor and helps bring down the tanginess of the yogurt. Just 2 tablespoons for the whole recipe, although you can adjust according to your taste preferences.
It’s a perfect substitute for your traditional frosting and delicious in so many applications – I absolutely love it on these carrot cake bars! Since greek yogurt needs to be refrigerated, just be mindful when using it. If it sits out for too long, it will start to melt.
Why we love this greek yogurt frosting recipe
- made with just 3 simple ingredients
- low in sugar – we are using just 2 tablespoons of maple syrup for our sweetener.
- higher in protein – since we are using greek yogurt, it naturally adds protein to whatever you are making!
- versatile – perfect for icing cakes, cupcakes, bars, or using as a dip with fresh fruit!
Can you make frosting with greek yogurt?
Greek yogurt makes an easy and healthy frosting. Instead of butter or cream cheese, greek yogurt is used with an added sweetener for a creamy consistency. It’s full of protein and probiotics, lower in fat, and be used in cakes, cupcakes, bars, and more.
Ingredients
- plain greek yogurt – I suggest full fat for more creaminess.
- maple syrup – for a touch of sweetness.
- vanilla extract – for a touch of vanilla flavor.
How to make greek yogurt frosting
- Make frosting. Add greek yogurt, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to a medium bowl and whisk to combine. Adjust according to taste.
- Chill. Place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to let chill and thicken.
- Enjoy it on cakes, cupcakes, bars, as a dip, and more!
Do I need to strain greek yogurt for frosting?
Straining yogurt will allow the excess liquid whey to be removed to make a thicker consistency. While I find it is it’s not necessary if using full-fat yogurt, you can do it for a thicker frosting.
To strain yogurt:
- Add it to a strainer, coffee filter, or cheesecloth over a large bowl.
- Place in the fridge for 2 hours to let the excess liquid drain off. Discard excess liquid.
- Follow the recipe as written to make the icing.
Storage
- fridge – store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. I suggest giving it a good whisk before using it after it sits in the fridge.
Substitutions and additions
- plain greek yogurt – any fat percentage will work. I suggest full-fat as 0% fat is not as creamy and is more tangy and may need more sweetener. I do not recommend regular yogurt as it is not as thick and will be too runny.
- maple syrup – you can try another liquid sweetener like honey or agave. It’s important to note that honey will harden and change texture in the fridge, so I would be mindful of using it.
- vanilla extract – adjust the amount according to preference.
The variations for greek yogurt icing are endless! Here are some additions to change up the flavor:
- peanut butter – stir in 1/4-1/2 cup of peanut butter for a peanut butter frosting.
- cocoa powder – for chocolate-flavored frosting.
- cream cheese – to make a healthy cream cheese frosting, add 1/2 cup of softened cream cheese. You will need to use a hand mixer or a stand mixer to incorporate it.
- powdered freeze-dried fruit – add freeze-dried fruit to a food processor and process until a powder forms. Stir into your frosting for a natural fruit-flavored icing. Strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries would be delicious. This will change the color of your frosting to the fruit you are using.
- almond extract
- coconut extract
More healthy dessert recipes
- dark chocolate bark with almonds
- healthy carrot cake bars
- chocolate oatmeal muffins
- protein peanut butter cups
- banana bread bars with chocolate chips
If you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced plate, check out our FREE How to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!
Greek Yogurt Frosting
ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups full-fat plain greek yogurt (12 ounces)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
instructions
- Make frosting. Add greek yogurt, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to a medium bowl and whisk to combine. You can also use an electric mixer, but it's not necessary. Adjust according to taste.
- Chill frosting. Place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to let chill and thicken.
- Enjoy it on cakes, cupcakes, bars, as a dip, and more! This frosting will soften at room temperature so it needs to stay refrigerated. I suggest only leaving it out for one hour.
Heather says
This didn’t rise for me and therefore was very dense. Not great flavor either.
Kelly Nardo says
Hey, Heather. Not sure what this comment is for, but frosting won’t rise and it is pretty light due to using greek yogurt.