Check out this recipe for how to make frosting without powdered sugar!
I couldn’t believe that you could make frosting without powdered sugar! It’s a very creamy frosting recipe everyone will love. It’s like a whipped buttercream frosting. It’s so light and fluffy.
I discovered this recipe when I had made a cake, but I didn’t have powdered sugar. I was shocked that I could make vanilla frosting without powdered sugar…and it was so good! It’s the perfect light and fluffy buttercream frosting for your next cake!
I have made a lot of cakes in the past few months. My kids have birthdays that are pretty close. When we have a party I usually like to make 2 different cakes with 2 different frostings. I like to mix it up and make some kind of frosted cupcake or a frosted cake for the party.
When we have a birthday party I make one cake is something the kids want me to decorate for them (like a princess cake or Minecraft cupcakes and the other is the opposite flavor so all my guests will be happy.
How To Make Icing Without Powdered Sugar:
This fluffy frosting is good on vanilla cupcakes but better on a chocolate cake. It reminds me of the filling of a ding dong – it’s a very whipped frosting recipe.
I had someone comment that this was the original recipe to frost a red velvet cake until they discovered it also tasted delicious with regular cream cheese frosting
Tips to make this easy recipe for the best frosting without confectioners sugar:
- This frosting recipe without powdered sugar recipe calls for just a few ingredients and only 1 cup of sugar! That’s a lot less sugar when you normally make the icing. Most vanilla buttercream frosting recipes need 8 cups confectioners’ sugar.
- You will need a stand mixer (or electric mixer) and a medium sized saucepan for this recipe. I would not recommend using a hand mixer but it’s possible. It’s just a lot of mixing!
- This recipe will cover one cake in a 9×13 pan and 24 cupcakes. I haven’t tried it on a layer cake using a 8 or 9 inch cake pans, but I think it could work if you spend thin layers.
- This is not a good recipe if you want to use a piping bag.
- This recipe has a lot of mixing time so make sure you have plenty of time to keep stirring it so you get the best vanilla frosting recipe.
- The spreadable consistency is more like a cross between a typical buttercream frosting and a whipped icing.
Fluffy Vanilla Icing – Homemade Frosting Without Powdered Sugar
- 1 cup milk (you could use any kind of milk 2% or whole milk)
- 5 Tablespoons of flour (yeah you think I am crazy 🙂 – but it works!)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup of unsalted butter, room temperature (2 sticks)
- 1 cup of sugar (granulated sugar, white sugar)
Instructions for Homemade Icing Without Powdered Sugar
In a small saucepan, whisk together the flour and milk. Heat over medium heat and constantly stir. It will start to thicken – so much that you almost can’t stir it.
Remove the milk mixture from the heat and add the vanilla. Let it cool completely before you mix it with the butter and sugar mixture. (The best way to do this is to place it in the freezer.)
You will want a stand mixer for the next part. In a bowl beat the butter and sugar on medium-high speed with the whisk attachment until the sugar dissolves. Now I will say that I have done this for about 8 minutes and the sugar doesn’t seem to dissolve. But don’t worry – it will dissolve a little bit after you frost the cupcakes.
The mixture may start to look white and fluffy. If the sugar still hasn’t dissolved, and if the milk and flour mixture is cool, add it to the butter and sugar mixture. Beat it for a few more minutes and it should start to look fluffy – almost like cool whip. Taste it and you will be amazed! ( I have heard that the mixture may separate and this is normal – just keep beating 🙂
This is so fluffy vanilla frosting is so easy and delicious – you will not believe how good it is! It makes about 5 cups of frosting. It’s the perfect frosting to make even if you do have confectioners’ sugar
I discovered this recipe when I made a cake, but I didn’t have powdered sugar. The first time I made this I was shocked that I could make vanilla frosting without powdered sugar…and it was so good! Try it and let me know what you think!
The next time I make this recipe, I would love to try to add a little cocoa powder to make a chocolate version of this recipe.
Here are some of my favorite cake recipes and icing recipes:
- Chocolate cupcakes or cake recipe
- American Buttercream
- Swiss meringue buttercream
- Cinnamon Rolls
- Sweetened Condensed Milk Buttercream Frosting Recipe
Vanilla Frosting Without Powdered Sugar

Make this Vanilla Frosting Without Powdered Sugar the next time you make a cake or cupcakes. It's so light and fluffy and delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk (you could use any kind of milk 2% or whole milk)
- 5 Tablespoons of flour (yeah you think I am crazy 🙂
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup of unsalted butter, room temperature (2 sticks)
- 1 cup of sugar (granulated sugar)
Instructions
- In a small saucepan whisk together the flour and milk. Heat over medium heat and constantly stir. It will start to thicken - so much you that you almost can't stir it.
- Remove the milk mixture from the heat and add the vanilla. Let it cool completely before you mix it with the butter and sugar mixture. (The best way to do this is to place it in the freezer.)
- You will want a stand mixer for the next part. In a bowl beat the butter and sugar on medium-high speed with the whisk attachment until the sugar dissolves. I have done this for about 8 minutes and the sugar doesn't seem to dissolve. But don't worry - it will dissolve a little bit after you frost the cupcakes.
- The mixture may start to look white and fluffy. If the sugar still hasn't dissolved, and if the milk and flour mixture is cool, add it to the butter and sugar mixture.
- Beat it for a few more minutes and it should start to look fluffy - almost like cool whip. Taste it and you will be amazed! ( I have heard that the mixture may separate and this is normal - just keep beating 🙂
Gayle howe
Monday 26th of June 2023
I had this recipe years ago and I was searching for it. Could not find it and I was Thrilled this morning when I found it in the recipes ! This is a fantastic recipe and I'm so glad you posted it! Thank you thank you!!
Keilynn Mazur
Thursday 15th of June 2023
I used this recipe late at night and it turned out pretty good. My mother was skeptical because of the use of flour, but I know it was good.
Janell
Friday 23rd of June 2023
I know the flour makes no sense! But it's so good!
Theresa Bostaph
Sunday 14th of May 2023
Thank you so much for posting this recipe!! My mother used to make this all the time when we were kids bc it's not overly sweet!! Thank you for bringing back memories of my mother and use when we were kids!! Happy Mother's Day!! ❤️❤️
Janell
Monday 15th of May 2023
Im so glad to hear this!! Thank you :)
Karen
Thursday 4th of August 2022
Do you have to refrigerate the cake once it is iced?
Janell
Saturday 6th of August 2022
No - I usually keep it on the counter for about 2 days. It may last longer in the fridge - but cakes do not last that long here :)
Mike
Saturday 5th of February 2022
I used this recipe for a birthday cake. I made a cherry chip cake and used this frosting with a splash of maraschino cherry juice...recipe was awesome and the cake turned out delicious. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Janell
Monday 7th of February 2022
I love that idea! It sounds delicious!