Roasted strawberry cream cheese frosting [refined sugar free]


When I recently posted my Healthier birthday mini carrot cakes with mango cream cheese frosting recipe, you may recall that I mentioned the mini carrot cakes are also fabulous with different frostings. This roasted strawberry cream cheese frosting is one of the alternatives and it is as tasty as it sounds!

Pink cream cheese frosting with roasted strawberries – perfect for princess (or toy) parties
Believe it or not, I made these mini cakes last year for the kids’ favourite toys’ birthday.
Yep, you read that right. One morning, my (then 5 year old) twins woke up and said it’s their bunny and teddy’s birthday (and, fortunately, in true twin style, the toys’ pretend birthday is actually on the same day so at least I was not asked to make two lots of cakes!) and they would love some cupcakes to celebrate. So, what do you do – you bake some and you frost them with this gorgeous roasted strawberry cream cheese icing because, as we all know, toys love pink frosting.
Healthier cakes and frosting
You may have seen in my previous post that I have tried to make these mini cakes a little healthier by including wholemeal flour, buckwheat flour, grated carrots and no refined sugar.
Similarly, the roasted strawberry cream cheese frosting is made without any added refined sugar. However, I don’t think you will miss it – it is perfectly delectable and – as an added bonus for all your parents out there – guilt free, especially if you have one of those kids who just loooves to lick off the icing, from not one, not two but let’s say at least three cupcakes in one sitting (and let’s face it, we all have at least one kid like that… or, ehm, a partner)!

Roasting strawberries for this cream cheese frosting
… honestly could not be easier. You pop your strawberries into a pre-heated oven, drizzled with a bit of maple syrup, for about 10 minutes. I find that the blast of hot air gives them a deeper and sweeter strawberry flavour.
When they are lightly roasted, you take them out of the oven, cool them and then blitz them until they’re smooth.
This frosting is perfect for those summer months when your garden is overflowing with sweet juicy strawberries. If this is the season where you are now, I’m not jealous. Really, I’m not (in fact, as I am typing this, on a cold Canberra night, my nose is only mildly frozen). Enjoy!
Recipe
Roasted strawberry cream cheese frosting [refined sugar free]
Ingredients
- 250 g strawberries
- drizzle of maple syrup
- 250 g cream cheese (at room temperature)
- 150 g butter, melted
- 1 tbsp rice malt syrup
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla paste (optional)
Instructions
- Pre-heat your oven to 220C. Place your strawberries into a baking dish and drizzle with the maple syrup. Roast for about 10 minutes.
- Take the strawberries out of the oven and let cool completely. This should give you about 175g of roasted strawberries.
- When the strawberries are completely cool, process them in a food processor until smooth.
- Melt the butter and mix the rice malt syrup into the warm butter – it blends in easier. Let cool slightly.
- Place all the ingredients (roasted strawberry mixture, cream cheese, butter with rice malt syrup, cinnamon and vanilla if using) into a bowl and whisk either with a whisk or a handheld mixer, until smooth.
- Place the frosting into a piping bag with a large piping tip and frost the cooled mini cakes.
Notes


Recipe notes
This frosting is perfect for my healthier mini carrot cakes (i.e. my version of birthday cupcakes), the recipe for which you can find here. Or feel free to use it on your favourite cupcakes.
This recipe will make enough frosting for about 12 to 18 mini cakes, depending on how much frosting you pipe on.
58 Comments
Aarthi | Prepbowls
Love the natural pink colored frosting , I’m intrigued by the idea of roasting strawberries , I’ll have to make a batch soon! My niece loves pink colored birthday theme , and her birthday is coming soon , will soon make these, Thank you for sharing a healthy frosting recipe.
Katerina
Thanks very much Aarthi, I hope your niece likes this frosting!
Hasin
Katerina,
Lovely boys! Bless them! I love fruit frosting recipes like yours that are not overtly sugary and still keep the natural sweetness coming from the fruits. I’m loving those twirls so perfect icing!
Katerina
Thank you Hasin!
Julia Rees
OMG! This frosting sounds delicious, and these cakes look amazing! Perfect for a summer get together!
I am definitely going to try this recipe !
Julia x
https://www.thevelvetrunway.com/
Katerina
Thank you so much Julia – I hope you enjoy them!
Molly Pisula
This frosting looks fantastic! Love the idea of roasting the strawberries to bring out the flavor. And they’re healthy enough to not feel guilty about eating 1 (or 3). 🙂
Katerina
Thank you very much, Molly! And yes, 3 – I’d definitely go for 3!
Allie Mackin
Oh this sounds SO GOOD! I love the idea of blasting the strawberries with heat and maple syrup. I bet this tastes amazing with a chocolate cake. I just don’t think I could get mine to look as pretty as yours. Thanks for posting this recipe!!
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
Katerina
Thank you so much, Allie! The piping technique is super easy, you just need the right piping tip and a bit of practice.
Susie
Oh my goodness Katerina! These look incredible and so delicious! I love the way you iced them too! I hope you are doing well x
https://findyourownhope.com/
Katerina
Thanks so much, Susie, much appreciated!
Shea
This frosting sounds delicious, and I imagine there are so many things it would taste great on. Also, a birthday for your little one’s stuffed animals is the cutest! 🙂
Katerina
Haha.. the things you do for your kids! Thanks so much Shea, much appreciated!
Dennis Yannakos
Look so great! I wanna dig in right away!
Best Kitchen Utensils
Katerina
Thank you so much Dennis! Much appreciated.
Neil
Strawberries are still in season here in Scotland, Katerina. Your recipe has come at the right time for me to make some delicious frosting for some fairy cakes for my Niece’s. Thank you!
Katerina
Oh yay, I’m so pleased, Neil! Hope they enjoy the fairy cakes, they sound delicious!
Tiziana Olbrich
Oh my gosh the look so delicious and you created the perfect frosting!!
have a great day,
Tiziana
http://www.tizianaolbrich.de
Katerina
Thanks so much, Tiziana, much appreciated!
Naya
Katerina, this is a hit! I really love cupcakes and these ones look so good. I like that they’re healthy, yet mega delicious at the same. Perfect treat for both kids and adults xx
Naya
http://www.nayatilly.com
Katerina
Thank you so much for your kind comment, Naya, much appreciated!
Jeff the Chef
Your twins sound adorable, and this frosting sounds like a real keeper. I love frostings that aren’t overly sugary. I’ve never roasted strawberries before, but I’m happy to give it a go!
Katerina
Thanks so much, Jeff! I dare say you’ll like this frosting!
Cris Santos
They look incredible I love cake and healthier options are just what I need Thanks for the recipe Cris
http://www.photosbycris.com.au/?p=8672
Katerina
Thanks very much, Cris!
Rahul
I love fruit frosting fruit – and who doesn’t look cupcakes!? Belated birthday wishes to bunny and teddy 😉
Katerina
Haha, Rahul! Bunny and teddy say thanks very much!
marcie
This frosting looks absolutely dreamy and it may not make it to the cupcakes if I make it! lol. Love that the sweetness comes from the strawberries and it is such a beautiful color!
Katerina
Thank you so much Marcie! I agree, I’m in love with that colour!
Renuka Walter
These frostings look so gorgeous! I simply can’t resist the temptation of having something sweet. I was thinking what to bake today, as I was feeling a little low. Your recipes help me to be innovative with my baking. Thanks a ton, Katerina!
Katerina
Thanks so much Renuka, I much appreciate it and I hope you’re feeling a little more positive!
Michelle | Sift & Simmer
I have actually never tried roasted strawberries before but seeing this frosting makes me want to try it! It’s only cuz the fresh strawberries end up in my mouth before they can hit the pan! 😛
Katerina
I totally understand your problem, Michelle! Fresh summer berries are so so delicious. Thank you for your comment!
Lauren
This sounds delicious! I love roasted strawberries, and you iced the cupcakes so beautifully! Love that they’re refined sugar free too, no guilt whatsoever!
Katerina
Thank you so much Lauren, much appreciated!
Laura
I love the idea of a Toy’s Birthday Party! (What clever kids you have!) And these cupcakes look and sound divine! I love cream cheese frosting, too, and appreciate the fact it is naturally sweetened. You really can’t beat that!
Katerina
Thanks so much Laura! Yes, the twins have some great ideas!
Marissa
These cupcakes are gorgeous, Katerina. Love the color of that frosting! No one would ever miss the processed ingredients that you left out to make these more nutritious. Definitely a must try!
Katerina
Thanks so much, Marissa! Definitely no artificial colours here!
David @ Spiced
Haha! I love that you baked cupcakes to celebrate the toys’ birthday. What a great Mom…and I’m sure your twins appreciated it, too. Speaking of the recipe, the roasted strawberries is such a great idea! I love roasting strawberries. The flavor changes slightly, and I find it to be quite delicious. I can’t imagine how good it would be in frosting form! Also, hang in there. Our mornings are getting chilly here, which means summer is coming your way!
Katerina
Ahhh, thanks so much David! It sounded fun so why not bake cupcakes for the toys, right? And yay, I can’t wait for spring! Thanks for the solidarity – appreciated!
Tasia ~ two sugar bugs
I love this!!! My little e is definitely the child who licks all the frosting off, eats one bite of cupcake and then asks for another, just so she can repeat the process! My girls are going to love this and I am going to love that it’s healthier!!
Katerina
Thank you so much, Tasia! So glad that my kids are not the only ones!!
sherry
ooh this looks so delish katerina. i love the idea of roasting the strawbs. i am more of an icing eater than a cake eater so i can well appreciate how licking off all the icing seems like the best idea …
Katerina
Haha, Sherry, I totally understand – some of us adults also think this is a great way to eat a cupcake! Thank you!
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
This looks SO delicious… I am a sucker for strawberries and a delicious topping for cupcakes! 🙂
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Katerina
Thank you so much Carrie, as are we!
Kathrine Eldridge
This strawberry frosting sounds divine! These would be perfect for summer too. They look so pretty!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Katerina
Thank you so much, Kathrine! Much appreciated.
Sophie
That frosting looks delicious! Cream cheese frosting used to be my favourite when I still ate dairy so I’m sure it’s wonderful with the strawberries x
Sophie
Katerina
Thank you so much Sophie!
jodie filogomo
You are such a good mother to make birthday muffins for the toys!!
And you have the best ideas for healthy treats. We just made your cookie recipe again and absolutely love it.
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Katerina
Ohhhh, thanks so much, Jodie, I’m so so glad to hear you like the cookies! Yay!
Emily
Aww I adore that you made these for your kids toys – you are such a fun mom! And I am forever in awe of how you find these wonderful ways to make such healthy treats Katerina!
Musings & More
Katerina
Ohhhh, Emily! Thank you so much for your kind comment, it’s absolutely made my day!
Healthy World Cuisine
Your delicious roasted strawberry cupcakes are almost too pretty to eat, but I bet we would get over that quickly. Love using the natural sweetness of the strawberries is sweeten them.
Katerina
Thank you so much, much appreciated!