I love to be able to top a muffin or quick bread with a pretty white icing. But powdered sugar is usually the base and I wanted something that is only lightly sweetened but still creates that beautiful drizzle on my muffins. This icing recipe without powdered sugar uses coconut cream as the base.
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).
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 mostconsistently worked for me is the the Whole Foods market 365 brand coconut cream. The Native Forest is usually too thick.
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 hot in your house, this icing might not be the best option. If it’s a cold day and the coconut cream seems too thick, heat it in the microwave for 3, yes, just three seconds, then stir. This will heat it enough to be more pourable.
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.
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.
Icing without Powdered Sugar
This muffin or quick bread icing contains NO powdered sugar. Coconut cream is the base.
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
NOTE Coconut is very sensitive to temperature. Too hot and the cream might be runny. Too cold and it might be chunky, grainy or too thick. If it's hot in your house this icing might not be the best option. If it's a cold day and the coconut cream seems too thick, heat it in the microwave for 3, yes, just three seconds, then stir. This will heat it enough to be more pourable.
- 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.
- Stir in the sweetener and optional flavor additions if using.
- Pipe or spread on just before using.
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