Frosting without powdered sugar!
Everyone needs a quick and easy frosting recipe to have on hand. It can often be assumed that frosting can be difficult and/or time-consuming to make. This leads to buying pre-packaged frosting, which can be delicious…but not particularly healthy! Luckily, you can easily make your own healthy chocolate frosting using simple ingredients- just 4 of them! Now this frosting isn’t like your traditional frostings. There is no butter, no refined sugar, and no milk needed, but you’d never be able to tell. In fact, it uses a secret ingredient to hold everything together- Unsweetened applesauce! Using unsweetened applesauce in a chocolate frosting recipe may sound a little odd, but hear me out. Firstly, you won’t be able to taste it, as it is super mild and not overpowering. Secondly, it provides a silky and creamy texture, without the need for any butter, cream or sugar. Thirdly, it’s affordable and easy to find. Finally, it ensures this chocolate frosting is made WITHOUT powdered sugar! This vegan frosting is so versatile, you can add it to anything- flourless fudge brownies would be a good start or perhaps these raw brownies. Granted, you could just eat it straight from the bowl, but maybe even frosting a keto cake or vegan cake would be great, too!
Ingredients for a healthy icing
Unsweetened applesauce– Be sure your applesauce is completely unsweetened, with no other ingredients in it besides apples. Dark Cocoa Powder– I used dark cocoa powder as I love the dark and rich flavor. However, standard dutch processed cocoa is perfectly fine too. Coconut Oil– Refined coconut oil, not unrefined coconut oil. Maple Syrup– Gives the frosting the sweetness, and the smoother texture.
There are other sweeteners you can use instead of maple syrup. Agave nectar works well, and if you’d like this frosting to be sugar free, use monk fruit sweetened maple syrup.
How do you make a healthy frosting?
Depending on what kind of recipe you are making (a cake or a brownie, for example), you will likely want your frosting to be either thick or a more silky smooth one. They both use the same ingredients but the proportions will differ a little bit!
FOR THICK AND FUDGY CHOCOLATE FROSTING
Start by using only 1 cup of the unsweetened applesauce and stir with the other 3 ingredients. Using a tablespoon or teaspoon, continue to add unsweetened applesauce slowly until the desired consistency is achieved. Alternatively, if you want a sweeter chocolate frosting, you can replace the extra applesauce with more maple syrup/monk fruit maple syrup.
FOR ULTRA SILKY SMOOTH CHOCOLATE FROSTING
Use the full cup of unsweetened applesauce. Using a teaspoon, add more applesauce until it reaches the silky texture you are after. Please be cautious when adding your extra applesauce, as even a little extra bit can turn the frosting from smooth to soup-like! Like the thicker option, feel free to swap out the extra applesauce for extra maple/monk fruit syrup.
Can I make this low carb or keto?
This healthy frosting is best made without any substitutions. For a low carb frosting, try keto frostings.
Storing and Freezing Tips
To store– Leftover frosting should always be stored in the refrigerator, covered. It will keep for at least 2 weeks, usually longer. Let it sit at room temperature before frosting. To freeze– Place frosting in a freezer friendly container and store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Desserts to use this frosting on
Vegan Brownies Keto Brownies Strawberry Cake Vanilla Cake Keto Cupcakes
