Cream Cheese Frosting without Powdered Sugar - Robust Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What if I don't have enough powdered sugar for frosting? ›

It is possible to simply use granulated sugar in a slightly smaller amount, though you'll have to accept that the texture may not be ideal, especially for icing or other recipes that are supposed to be super smooth. Just substitute 1 cup of granulated sugar for every 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar and proceed as directed.

Cornstarch is a good way to thicken the frosting without increasing its sweetness. Mix 1 tablespoon (25 grams) of cornstarch into the frosting. If it is still too runny, add a little more. Continue to add cornstarch until you are happy with the texture.

If it's still too thin, take out some of the runny mixture and beat in some more cream cheese. Alternatively, if you whisk it with an electric whisk or in a stand mixer with a whisk attachment on high it will thicken after 3-4 minutes.

Dry/thick ingredients like cocoa powder, freeze dried fruit (powder,) and peanut butter will help thicken frosting, while vanilla and brown butter should be added sparingly to make sure it's the right texture. Storage Tips: Once you achieve the perfect consistency, store your frosting in an airtight container.

The magic ratio is 1 cup granulated sugar to 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Combine the two in a high-powered blender like a Vitamix, a food processor, or spice grinder, then blitz away until you have a soft, powdery consistency—the total time could be several minutes, depending on the power of your machine.

Frosting has split.

If it is too hot or too cool you can help matters by cooling or warming the mixture gently. Some bakers use ice underneath the bowl to cool and a hairdryer on the underside of the bowl to warm it! Changing the temperature can help to bring the mixture back together.

Most frostings are made with powdered sugar (otherwise known as confectioners' sugar or icing sugar), which contains cornstarch to prevent it from caking. Adding more powdered sugar can be an effective way and the easiest way of absorbing too much liquid to achieve thicker frosting.

Overbeating cream cheese frosting can make it too runny. When all the sugar is incorporated into the frosting, don't beat it for much longer to avoid overbeating.

If you have followed the recipe to the T, used the right amount of icing sugar, the consistency of butter and cream cheese was right, not beaten the sugar for long, added lemon juice little at a time and your frosting is still runny then simply pop the bowl into the refrigerator for a couple of minutes and it should ...

Cream cheese frosting will hold its decorative piped shape if you refrigerate it prior to piping. Fit your piping bag with a piping tip, fill your bag with the frosting, then refrigerate it for 20-30 minutes before piping. However, don't expect it to be as sturdy as buttercream.

What causes cream cheese frosting to curdle? ›

If it is too warm then the cream cheese will not mix in as well and could look curdled. Make sure the butter is soft enough so that if you press it with a finger then you leave an indentation, but not so soft that you can push your finger completely into the butter.

Unsalted butter – It gives the frosting buttery flavor and a texture that's thick enough for piping.

Adding soft butter to the cold cream cheese minimizes lumps in your finished frosting. Powdered Sugar- MY OPINION: Cream cheese frostings have too much sugar. Add powdered sugar to the level of sweetness you want.

Identifying the Causes: What Makes Cream Cheese Frosting Sour: Factors like inferior quality cream cheese, using ingredients past their prime, and an imbalance in acidity can lead to a sour frosting. Opting for premium cream cheese and fine-tuning the acidic components can be effective in avoiding that sour flavor.

Sifting confectioners' sugar doesn't make a difference in the final result of the frosting—it's just about getting out any lumps. "If you're going to make frosting in an electric stand mixer, then sifting isn't all that important because the beater will break up the lumps," says Williams.

When you make the icing it should have a thick but pourable consistency and if it is too thin then it may also not set. If you are using a spreadable type of butter it may not set as well as this type of butter has extra water and vegetable oils in it, which makes it soft to spread but means the icing will not set.

To make icing without icing sugar, start by grinding granulated white sugar in a blender for 5 minutes or until it feels fine and powdery. Then, pour the sugar into a bowl and whisk it to make it fluffier and clump-free. Once you've whisked the sugar, just use it as a substitute for icing sugar in your recipe!