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sugar free buttercream frosting with keto and dairy free options

Sugar Free Buttercream Frosting Recipe with Dairy Free & Keto Friendly Options

This sugar free buttercream frosting recipe is perfect for decorating cut out cookies. The buttercream icing has a soft bite that kids often prefer over royal icing. I've included a simple swap to make this sugar-free buttercream frosting Keto-friendly or dairy-free as well.
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: All American Buttercream Frosting, Buttercream Frosting for Cookies, Dairy Free Buttercream Frosting, Keto Buttercream Frosting, Sugar Free Buttercream Frosting
Prep Time: 1 hour
Mixing Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 1.5 cups
Author: Leah Buehler

Equipment

  • Stand Mixer with Paddle Attachment
  • Measuring Cups & Spoons
  • Rubber Spatula
  • Icing Bags & Piping Tips for decorating buttercream sugar cookies or cake

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup room temperature salted butter see notes below for dairy free option
  • 1/2 cup vegetable shortening such as Crisco or Sweetex see notes below for Keto friendly option
  • 2 cups Swerve confectioners sweetener
  • 1.5 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • 1-3 tbsp. whole milk see notes below for dairy free option
  • gel food dye in shades of your choice

Instructions

  • If using butter, beat on medium-high speed for about two minutes, until it is creamy and lighter in color. The whiter the butter is, the whiter the resulting buttercream. Skip this step if doing a dairy-free sugar-free buttercream.
  • Add the shortening to the stand mixer and mix until creamed with the butter.
  • Add in the Swerve and mix for about 30 seconds, or until just combined. Overmixing can lead to unwanted air bubbles.
  • Add in the vanilla extract and one tablespoon of whole milk (or water). Mix on low. If the frosting is thicker than a peanut butter consistency, add more liquid, a tablespoon at a time.
  • Separate the frosting into individual bowls for each color of icing. Add in the preferred gel colors, using a fork to mix. Place into prepared icing bags.

Notes

To create a dairy-free sugar-free buttercream, simply replace the butter with equal parts vegetable shortening. The amount of vegetable shortening will be one cup. Make sure to use water rather than milk as well.
To create a Keto buttercream frosting recipe, replace the vegetable shortening with equal parts butter. The amount of butter will be one cup.
You can swap unsalted butter for salted butter if you prefer. I like that the salt helps cut some of the sweetness in the erythritol.