Quick Answer
Lofthouse frosting is a sweet, creamy frosting used to top cookies and cakes. The number of calories in Lofthouse frosting depends on the specific type and serving size. On average, a 2 tablespoon serving of Lofthouse creamy frosting contains about 120 calories.
Calculating Calories in Lofthouse Frosting
Lofthouse offers several types of frosting, including:
- Creamy white frosting
- Creamy chocolate frosting
- Creamy peanut butter frosting
- Buttercream frosting
- Cream cheese frosting
The number of calories in each type of Lofthouse frosting varies based on the specific ingredients. Here is an overview of the calorie content of popular Lofthouse frosting flavors:
Creamy White Frosting
Lofthouse creamy white frosting is made with sugar, palm oil, corn syrup, water, titanium dioxide (for color), salt, and vanilla extract.
A 2 tablespoon serving of creamy white frosting contains about:
- 120 calories
- 24g carbohydrates
- 20g sugar
- 8g fat
- 2g saturated fat
Creamy Chocolate Frosting
Lofthouse creamy chocolate frosting has a similar ingredient list to the white frosting, with the addition of cocoa powder.
A 2 tablespoon serving of creamy chocolate frosting contains approximately:
- 110 calories
- 21g carbohydrates
- 18g sugar
- 7g fat
- 2g saturated fat
- 2g protein
Creamy Peanut Butter Frosting
The creamy peanut butter frosting consists of sugar, palm oil, peanut butter, corn syrup, titanium dioxide, salt, and vanilla extract.
A 2 tablespoon serving of peanut butter frosting has around:
- 130 calories
- 15g carbohydrates
- 12g sugar
- 9g fat
- 2g saturated fat
- 3g protein
Buttercream Frosting
Lofthouse buttercream frosting is made from butter, powdered sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla extract.
A 2 tablespoon serving contains approximately:
- 145 calories
- 16g carbohydrates
- 14g sugar
- 10g fat
- 6g saturated fat
Cream Cheese Frosting
The ingredients in Lofthouse cream cheese frosting include cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract.
Per 2 tablespoon serving, the nutrition information is:
- 110 calories
- 9g carbohydrates
- 8g sugar
- 8g fat
- 5g saturated fat
- 1g protein
Serving Size Comparisons
The nutrition information provided above is based on a 2 tablespoon serving size of Lofthouse frosting. Here is how the calories and other nutrients can add up for larger portions:
| Serving Size | Calories | Carbs | Sugar | Fat | Saturated Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 tablespoon | 60 | 12g | 10g | 4g | 1g |
| 2 tablespoons | 120 | 24g | 20g | 8g | 2g |
| ½ cup | 240 | 48g | 40g | 16g | 4g |
| ⅓ cup | 480 | 96g | 80g | 32g | 8g |
As you can see, the calories and nutrients add up quickly as the serving size of frosting increases. Even a small dab of frosting contains sugar and saturated fat.
Tips for Enjoying Lofthouse Frosting
Lofthouse frosting can be part of an overall healthy diet when enjoyed in moderation. Here are some tips:
- Stick to a 1-2 tablespoon portion to limit calories, fat, and sugar.
- Use frosting sparingly to top a reduced-calorie baked good like an angel food cake.
- Opt for buttercream or cream cheese frosting instead of creamy frosting to get less sugar and more protein.
- Focus on the cake or cookie base rather than extra frosting for more fiber and volume.
- Share one frosted treat with a friend or family member.
- Savor each bite of frosting instead of devouring mindlessly.
Substitute Greek yogurt, mashed banana, or nut butter for a lower-calorie “frosting” on muffins or other baked goods.
Nutrition Comparison to Other Frostings
Lofthouse frosting is similar in nutritional value to many other premade canned, tub, and store-bought frostings.
Here is a nutrition comparison per 2 tablespoon serving:
| Frosting | Calories | Fat | Carbs | Sugar | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lofthouse Creamy White | 120 | 8g | 24g | 20g | 0g |
| Pillsbury Creamy White | 110 | 5g | 21g | 18g | 0g |
| Duncan Hines Creamy White | 110 | 5g | 22g | 20g | 0g |
| Betty Crocker Buttercream | 140 | 10g | 15g | 13g | 0g |
| Smucker’s Creamy | 90 | 3.5g | 21g | 16g | 0g |
As you can see, Lofthouse frosting is very similar in calories, sugar, fat, carbs, and protein compared to other popular canned, tub, and premade frostings. The differences are minor between brands.
High Sugar and Fat Content
One downside of Lofthouse frosting is that it is high in sugar and saturated fat:
- A 2 tablespoon serving can contain up to 20g of added sugar – almost the entire recommended daily limit for added sugars (25g for women and 38g for men).
- The saturated fat content per serving (2g) provides up to 10% of the daily value.
Consuming too much added sugar is linked to obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and other health conditions. Excess saturated fat intake can also negatively impact blood cholesterol levels and heart health.
Therefore, Lofthouse frosting should be eaten sparingly as part of an overall healthy diet. Opt for a 1 tablespoon portion or share a frosted treat with others.
Ingredient Concerns
Lofthouse frostings contain refined ingredients like sugar, corn syrup, palm oil, and hydrogenated oils – some of which have generated health concerns:
- Sugar: Added sugars like those in Lofthouse frostings may displace healthier whole foods in the diet and contribute empty calories.
- Corn syrup: This highly processed sweetener has been associated with obesity, diabetes, and insulin resistance in studies.
- Palm oil: The palm oil used in Lofthouse frosting is often linked to deforestation and habitat destruction for orangutans and other wildlife.
- Hydrogenated oils: The process of hydrogenation generates trans fats, which are considered the most unhealthy type of fat due to impacts on heart disease risk.
When buying premade frosting, check the ingredient list for cues on sugar content, processing methods, and types of fat used. Prioritize options with simpler, less processed ingredients.
Healthier Homemade Frosting Options
For a more nutritious frosting option, consider making your own at home. This allows you to control the ingredients.
Some healthier homemade frosting ideas include:
- Coconut whipped cream frosting – uses coconut milk and coconut oil
- Honey Greek yogurt frosting – uses Greek yogurt and honey
- Peanut butter banana frosting – uses mashed banana and peanut butter
- Avocado chocolate frosting – uses avocado, cocoa powder, honey
- Cream cheese frosting – uses reduced-fat cream cheese, butter, vanilla
Homemade frostings have the benefits of:
- Less added sugar
- Healthy fats from nuts, avocado, yogurt, etc.
- No artificial colors or flavors
- More fiber
- Higher nutrient content
- Total ingredient control
The biggest downside of homemade frostings is that they require more hands-on prep work. But the nutrition benefits may outweigh the extra effort for many people.
Lofthouse Frosting Recipe Dupes
If you want to recreate the taste of Lofthouse frosting at home, there are several copycat recipes available online. These mimic commercial frostings while allowing you to control the nutrition profile.
Popular Lofthouse frosting recipe dupes include:
Lofthouse Cookies ‘N Cream Frosting
- Ingredients: butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla, crushed Oreo cookies
- Has a creamy, ultra-sweet flavor and cookie crunch similar to the original
Lofthouse Creamy White Frosting
- Ingredients: butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract
- Duplicate of the classic creamy white frosting taste and texture
Lofthouse Cream Cheese Frosting
- Ingredients: cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla
- Mimics the tangy cream cheese flavor of the popular bakery frosting
When making homemade Lofthouse frosting dupes, you can modify ingredients like using less butter or powdered sugar to lighten the nutrition profile.
Finding Low-Calorie Lofthouse-Style Frosting
If you want the taste of Lofthouse frosting but with fewer calories, there are some light options on the market. These provide a similar creamy, sweet frosting experience with less fat and sugar.
Some low-calorie Lofthouse-style frostings to look for include:
- Pillsbury Reduced Fat Creamy Supreme Frosting
- Smucker’s Low Fat Frosting
- Duncan Hines Creamy Home-Style Frosting, Low Fat
- Betty Crocker Whipped Frosting
- Cool Whip Lite Whipped Topping
These products have around half the calories and fat grams compared to regular Lofthouse and other full-fat frostings. They are made with lower-calorie sweeteners, skim milk, and hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Be sure to check the nutrition label when opting for reduced fat frostings, as some still contain high amounts of sugar. Moderation is still key.
Conclusion
Lofthouse frosting can contain around 120 calories and 20g total sugars per 2 tablespoon serving. The rich, creamy frosting is high in added sugar and saturated fat. Enjoy Lofthouse frosting sparingly as part of a balanced diet, or opt for lighter versions to reduce the calorie and sugar load. Making homemade frosting allows for better nutrition control. Overall, Lofthouse frosting should be an occasional treat and consumed mindfully in small portions if included regularly in your diet.
