Dream Whip Icing: Frosting that is Light and Not Too Sweet

 Looking for a frosting that is light and not too sweet? Hey, I got this!

I’m not a fan of icings in general, they are always way too sweet for my liking. So, years ago I went on the hunt for an icing that was light and A LOT less sweet than say, a buttercream icing.

I mentioned this icing in a blog post a while back and the amount of people asking for my recipe was astounding. So, as promised, I’m sharing what I call Dream Whip Icing.

Icing, dream whip icing

Dream Whip Icing: Frosting that is Light and Not Too Sweet

This icing is my go-to when it comes to a fabulous frosting. It’s TO.DIE.FOR!

… also, it is so super easy to make. Bonus! 

Make sure you use Instant Pudding {not cooked} and if you can, use clear vanilla as well. Regular brown vanilla extract will turn the icing a brownish tinge. 

This icing does ‘melt’ faster than a traditional buttercream. So, if you need it to sit out for a while, I suggest adding another package of pudding, since this helps to stiffen the icing a lot.

For instance, I made a castle cake for my oldest {circa 2007} and used this Dream Whip icing, with the extra packet of pudding. It was a very hot day and the house was incredibly warm. I kept the cake in the fridge for the most part {even cooling it down now and then when decorating}, until it was ‘cake time’. 

Yet, as you can see with these Minnie Mouse Cupcakes from my twins birthday this past July, you can shape the icing somewhat as well.

minnie mouse birthday cupcakes twin birthday

And yes, it’s this Dream Whip icing that was in between the ombre rainbow layers of the Hello Kitty cake I made.

rainbow_layer_cake

So, if you need an icing that isn’t as sweet, this one HAS to be tried. You’ll see why it’s my favourite icing of all time!

🙂

Root Beer Cupcakes with cream cheese icing

Dream Whip Icing

Yield: 4 cups
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

An icing or frosting recipe that is Light and Not Too Sweet, Dream Whip Icing! It's a mixture of vanilla pudding and whipped cream - perfection!

Ingredients

  • 2 pkg Dream Whip {along with ingredients to make the Dream Whip, as per instructions on packet, which is usually Milk and Vanilla Extract}
  • 1 pkg Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix

Instructions

  1. Make the Dream Whip as per the instructions on the package, usually milk and Vanilla Extract {clear, if possible}.
  2. Add in the Instant pudding.
  3. Beat until blended.
  4. Colour the icing if needed.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 4 cups
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 90Sodium: 152mgCarbohydrates: 22gSugar: 19g

Did you make this recipe?

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56 Comments

  1. The picture of the Minnie Mouse Cupcakes look so sweet…pun intended 🙂 Well done Tammi!

  2. oh my goodness those cupcakes are so cute!!!! I will have to save his recipe for icing because I also have a hard time finding icing that is not too sweet!

  3. Oh that cupcake icing looks fantastic! I still get blown away when I see how talented you are at baking!

  4. This sounds amazing! We’ll be trying this out next time we need to frost something!

    thanks for the recipe

    1. When you speak of a package do you mean the “two packets” that come in the box…… Or a TOTAL of 4 “packets”….!!!!
      Also what size box of pudding mix?
      Can you use the flavor of your choosing on the pudding?

  5. This sounds amazing!!! I am not a fan of the icing sugar icing so I will definitely be trying this out!

  6. Whoa! It almost seems too easy to be so perfect! Thank you for sharing – I will be tucking this one away for future use!

  7. thats my kind of icing. Im not a fan of too sweet either I usually scrape it off but I love dream whip so yum def going to try this one.

    1. YES! And I’m sick of scraping off the sweet icing, I want icing!! lol
      So, I took matters into my own hands. I have my icing now. YAY!!
      🙂

  8. Thank you for the recipe! I’m always looking for healthier and easier alternatives for treats (without seeming like the kiddos are being deprived).

  9. I love this recipe. I’ve used it before with different flavours of pudding and it’s still delicious! (especially the banana) You can add food colouring too 🙂 thanks for sharing

  10. Did you use both packets of dream whip? The box calls for 1 pack with 1 box of pudding and 1.5 cups of milk.

    1. I use 1 packet with 1 box instant pudding + 1/2 cup milk. Of course I make more than one at a time, because it doesn’t make much. {e.g.: 3 packets, 3 pudding, 1.5 cups milk}

    1. I’ll have to check the next time I go, I usually only see one size. It really doesn’t matter though, it adds to the flavour and mainly makes it thick. So, if you have two choices, go with the larger. Only because then it holds better and for longer unrefrigerated. 🙂

    1. I’ve done it many times! Just know that it loses form easier than traditional icing, so make sure utensils are cool and don’t put too much in the bag or it gets too warm with the heat of your hands. Also, i make sure to keep the finished product in a cool place so it doesn’t ‘fall’.

    1. hmmm, I always make it fresh each time. Freezing might change the consistency and make it grainy when re-whipped.
      That being said, when I ice cakes and cupcakes with this icing, I freeze them and it unthaws so well. So it might just work!

  11. How long will this hold up on a 2 tier wedding cake sitting out at the venue from approximately 2pm until after dinner?
    Or should I just go with buttercream to avoid disappointment?

    1. This icing does tend to melt faster than others, so I personally wouldn’t chance it for outside icing. BUT, use it in the layers and it would be amazing!!

  12. If I want to make a thicker icing to keep it from melting, I should use 1 package of dream whip, 2 packages of pudding, and 0.5 cups of milk? Will it be too sweet with the second box of pudding?

    1. Nope, I’ve done that before, but with 1.5 packages of pudding. Really, this recipe is so versatile, you can even have the same amount of milk and up the other two – then add a bit of milk if you want. The 3 ingredients are more key than the amounts you use. 🙂

  13. Do you mix up the pudding with milk first or just dump powder in the dream whip mixture

  14. I made root beer flavored cupcakes and used this recipe for the frosting.I substituted root beer flavoring for the vanilla and ginger ale as the liquid. The result tasted JUST LIKE the foam on a root beer float.

  15. I used two packets of dream whip, 1 cup 2% milk, 1 tsp vanilla, and 1 large box of Jello instant pudding. It turned out like concrete. I tried to frost an Angel Food cake. Not enough frosting and it looked horrible. Not even close to what I remember my mom used to make. Ugh

  16. I absolutely love this recipe! It pipes extremely well on cakes and the taste is amazing. Just an FYI if you plan on coloring it, vanilla pudding is yellow…. I added blue coloring BEFORE adding the vanilla pudding and mistakenly made a sea foam green lol.

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