• About
  • Work with Me
    • Contact
  • Food Photography
  • Newsletter

Chef Janet

So good, they'll never know it's gluten-free.

  • Gluten-Free Recipes
    • Appetizers and Snacks
    • Baked Goods
    • Breakfast
    • Dessert
    • Main Course
    • Salads
    • Sauces and Dressings
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
  • Cooking Basics
  • Gluten-Free Diet Tips
Home Β» Baked Goods Β» How to Make Icing Without Powdered Sugar

January 3, 2021 (last updated August 9, 2021)

How to Make Icing Without Powdered Sugar

No ratings yet
Leave a Comment Jump to Recipe

This easy icing recipe uses coconut cream as the base and includes no powdered sugar. It’s perfect for putting a drizzle on muffins, quick breads and more. I’ve included helpful tips for handling the coconut cream below!

This icing is a perfect topping for my gluten-free banana bread, gluten-free vegan pumpkin bread, gluten-free sweet potato muffins or my zucchini carrot apple muffins (gluten and dairy-free). My gluten-free blueberry muffins would be amazing with the lemon version of this icing (see below). For another delicious dessert topping with no powdered sugar, try my creamy sweet potato frosting.

gluten-free sweet potato muffins drizzled with no-powdered sugar icing on marble surface. Wire rack with iced muffins and sloced sweet potato in background,

What is Coconut Cream?

Like coconut milk, coconut cream is available in cans. Open a can of coconut cream and there is a thick white cream on top and coconut water on the bottom (usually). DO NOT MIX OR SHAKE THE CAN. Scrape the thick cream off the top and save the water and thinner cream for a smoothie.

The different brands of coconut cream vary wildly! Some are as thick as butter while others are more like whipped cream. The one that has most consistently worked for me is the the Whole Foods Market 365 brand coconut cream, but only in colder months. The Native Forest is usually too thick for warmer weather but works better during the summer.

NOTE: Coconut is very sensitive to temperature. Too hot, and it might be runny. Too cold and it might be grainy or too thick. If it’s a cold day and the coconut cream is too thick, heat it in the microwave for 3, yes, just three seconds, then stir. This will heat it enough to be more pourable.

During warmer weather, if the cream is too runny, add 1 tablespoon of tapioca starch to 3 tablespoons of coconut cream and refrigerate about 5 minutes. Drizzle on cooled baked goods right before serving.

Add a little sweetener and you have a perfect, no powdered sugar icing. I prefer agave or maple syrup as the sweetener but use whichever one you prefer.

How to Ice Muffins

In order to get that pretty drizzle on top, a squeeze bottle or piping bag with a #4 tip works best. Be sure that you have blended the mixture smooth so that there are no chunks of coconut cream. The chunks will clog up the piping tip.

Hold the tip at least 1/2″ above the muffin or bread, squeeze and move slowly across to create your desired pattern.

gluten-free sweet potato muffin with squeeze bottle piping icing on top. Wood tray with iced muffins, cut sweet potato and wire rack with muffins in background.

Icing Flavors

Add different flavors to complement your muffins or bread. Here are some of my favorites:

  • Add the zest of one orange for a topping that is perfect on banana bread, muffins, pumpkin bread. The zest will make it a little chunky so, it will not pipe as well but still tastes AMAZING!
  • Add the zest of one lemon for a topping that is great on blueberry muffins or poppy seed muffins.
  • Add 1/8 tsp of vanilla extract or peppermint flavor.
  • Add 1/8 tsp cinnamon for a perfect topping on just about ANY muffin or bread.
gluten free sweet potato muffins with white icing drizzle on wire rack and marble board. Gray napkin underneath and silver knife in front

How to Make Icing without Powdered Sugar

Author: Janet Harlow
Course: Baked Goods
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12
This easy icing recipe uses coconut cream as the base and includes no powdered sugar. It’s perfect cupcakes, muffins, quick breads and more. I’ve included helpful tips for handling the coconut cream below!
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Total Time 5 mins

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup coconut cream 1 15 ounce can should have enough
  • 1 tsp agave maple syrup or your choice of sweetener

Optional flavor additions:

  • zest of 1 lemon
  • zest of one orange
  • 1/8 tsp peppermint flavor
  • 1/8 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract
  • 1/8 tsp cinnamon

Instructions
 

  • NOTES
    Coconut is very sensitive to temperature. Too hot, and it might be runny. Too cold and it might be grainy or too thick. If it's a cold day and the coconut cream is too thick, heat it in the microwave for 3, yes, just three seconds, then stir. This will heat it enough to be more pourable.
    During warmer weather, if the cream is too runny, add 1 tablespoon of tapioca starch to 3 tablespoons of coconut cream and refrigerate about 5 minutes. Drizzle on cooled baked goods right before serving.
  • DO NOT SHAKE or stir the can of coconut milk. Scrape the thick, white cream off the top. There may or may not be coconut water underneath. Save that for a smoothie.
  • There will likely be some chunks in the coconut cream. Stir well with a wire whisk or with an immersion blender.
  • Stir in the sweetener and optional flavor additions if using.
  • Pipe or spread on just before using.
Did you make this recipe?Let me know how it was! Tag @chefjanetk on Instagram.
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email

Posted In: Baked Goods, Dessert, Vegan · Tagged: dessert topping

Leave a Comment & Rate this Recipe Cancel reply

If you love this recipe, please consider leaving a star rating and review when you post a comment. Star ratings help people discover my recipes online. Your support means a great deal to me.

Thank you!
Janet

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About Me
Hi, Welcome! I'm Chef Janet and I create gluten-free recipes that everyone will love, gluten-free or not.

Set up a customized lesson with me to learn basic cooking techniques, gluten-free, menu planning and kitchen tips to make your life easier. Follow me on instagram to keep up with my latest and let me know how I can help.

Follow along on Instagram

Do you need a cake or cupcakes for a gluten-free b Do you need a cake or cupcakes for a gluten-free birthday celebration? I've got you covered with a blog post with 16 ideas for fun,  festive & yummy cakes and cupcakes.
πŸŽ‚πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‚
All are gluten free and many can be made dairy-free as well. Most use Measure for Measure flour from @kingarthurbaking.
1. GF Carrot Cake
2. GF Funfetti Cupcakes
3. GF Red Velvet Cake
4. GF Lemon Cake
5. Grain-Free Vanilla Almond Flour Cake
6. GF Vanilla Cake
7. GF Mini Cupcakes in Choc & Vanilla
8. GF Vanilla Cupcakes
9. GF Coconut Layer Cake
πŸŽ‚πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‚
Not pictured: GF Chocolate Orange Loaf Cake,
GF Chocolate Cupcakes, GF Apple Pie Cupcakes, GF Butternut Squash Cake, Gf Chocolate Mug Cake, GF Vanilla Snack Cake, and GF Carrot Cake Cupcakes.
πŸŽ‚πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‚
#glutenfreebirthdaycake #glutenfreebirthday #losangeleschef #glutenfreebaking #glutenfreecake #glutenfreecupcakes #glutenfreecarrotcake #glutenfreevanillacake #glutenfreeredvelvet #glutenfreeblog #glutenfreelemoncake
No lie, these chicken wings were baked in the toas No lie, these chicken wings were baked in the toaster oven and still came out with golden brown delicious skin. 
🌽 🌭🌽
Those mini corn dog bites are the favorite at my parties and are SUPER (pun intended) easy to make.
πŸ“πŸ—πŸ“
Link to the recipes in my profile.
🌽🌭🌽
#glutenfreesnacks #sportsnacks #glutenfreecorndogs #glutenfreerecipes #losangeleschef #glutenfreelosangeles #sportsfood #partysnacks #partyappetizers #glutenfreeparty
This gluten free red velvet cake is so moist and t This gluten free red velvet cake is so moist and tender they'll never know it's gluten free. Get the full recipe at chefjanetk.com
β™₯οΈπŸŽ‚β™₯οΈπŸŽ‚
#redvelvet #glutenfreecake #glutenfreeredvelvetcake #losangeleschef #glutenfreelosangeles #glutenfreeblog
#glutenfreebaking #glutenfreedessert #glutenfreebirthdaycake #bestglutenfreecakes #glutenfreerecipes
Thanksgiving prep has started in my kitchen! Wheth Thanksgiving prep has started in my kitchen! Whether you need a gluten-free stuffing recipe, gravy or an easy side, I've got you covered. Need a delicious, decadent dessert? I've got that too. Link in my profile to my Thanksgiving recipes.
πŸ—πŸ₯§πŸ 
You'll find tips for perfect silky, smooth gravy, moist delicious stuffing, perfect pies, simple sided dishes and more.
🍠πŸ₯§πŸ—
#glutenfreethanksgiving #thanksgivingrecipes #thanksgivingdesserts #glutenfreestuffing #glutenfreegravy #losangeleschef #glutenfreeblog #glutenfreepiecrust #glutenfreedessert
Pie and cupcakes are my favorite desserts so I put Pie and cupcakes are my favorite desserts so I put them together in one. These gluten-free apple pie cupcakes make for an awesome autumn dessert. Link to the recipe in my profile.
🍎 πŸ₯§πŸ§
These cupcakes have a fluffy cinnamon spiced cake, traditional apple pie filling and an apple cinnamon buttercream frosting.
🍎πŸ₯§πŸ§
#glutenfreecupcakes #glutenfreedessert #glutenfreeapplepie #losangeleschef #cinnamonbuttercream #glutenfreelosangeles #holidaydessert #glutenfreeholidays #autumndesserts #applepiecupcakes
Nothing says holiday brunch more than cranberry or Nothing says holiday brunch more than cranberry orange muffins. Link to the recipe in my profile.
🎈🍊🎈
#cranberryorangemuffins #glutenfreemuffins #holidaybrunch #glutenfreebaking #losangeleschef #glutenfreechef #glutenfreeblog #cranberryorange
This Sweet Potato Frosting is the perfect holiday This Sweet Potato Frosting is the perfect holiday topping for cupcakes, cakes muffins and anything your heart desires. There's just four ingredients and no cane sugar. Link to the recipe in my profile.
 🍠 🧁🍠
Sweet potato puree, cream cheese, butter and maple syrup are all you need for this amazing frosting. Amazing on carrot cake, spice cake, vanilla cake and so much more.
🧁🍠🧁
#sweetpotatofrosting #cakefrosting #glutenfreeholiday #holidaydesserts #glutenfreeblog #losangeleschef #glutenfreelosangeles #sweetpotatodessert #sweetpotatorecipe #cupcakefrosting #glutenfreecupcakes
Do you like your gluten-free pumpkin bread slather Do you like your gluten-free pumpkin bread slathered in a rum icing or a straight up?? Get the recipe - link my profile.
πŸŽƒπŸŽƒπŸžπŸŽƒπŸŽƒ
This recipe is super easy and makes an incredibly moist and delicious pumpkin bread that is good enough for dessert, brunch or a little autumn snack.
πŸŽƒπŸŽƒπŸžπŸžπŸŽƒπŸŽƒ
#glutenfreepumpkinbread #pumpkinbread #glutenfreebrunch #glutenfreebaking #autumndesserts #glutenfreelosangeles #glutenfreechef #glutenfreeblog #pumpkindessert #fallbaking

Copyright © 2023 Chef Janet · Support by Foodie Digital · Privacy Policy · Accessibility Policy · Web Stories