Light, fluffy, and easy to make, Cool Whip Frosting is the perfect topping for cakes, cupcakes, and desserts. This no-bake, creamy frosting is quick to whip up and adds a sweet, airy finish to your favorite treats.
Cool Whip Frosting is the ultimate easy, no-bake frosting that turns ordinary cakes and cupcakes into light, fluffy desserts. Made with a few simple ingredients, it’s sweet, creamy, and perfect for topping everything from sheet cakes to cupcakes or even pies.
We also like to make Oreo Frosting, Cookie Dough Frosting and Strawberry Buttercream Frosting.
For more desserts with Cool Whip, try Cool Whip Candy and Cool Whip Cake Mix Cookies with the kids.
Table of contents
Why We Love This
- Light and Fluffy – Creates a soft, airy topping that melts in your mouth.
- No-Bake Convenience – Perfect when you want a quick frosting without using an oven.
- Versatile – Works on cakes, cupcakes, pies, and even as a fruit dip.
- Kid-Approved – Sweet, creamy, and fun to decorate with.
- Customizable – Easy to add flavors like vanilla, chocolate, or citrus for a unique twist.
- Perfect for Any Occasion – From birthdays to weeknight treats, it’s a crowd-pleaser every time.
Ingredients
- Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix – Adds flavor and helps stabilize the frosting.
- Cool Whip (Thawed) – The base for a light, fluffy, creamy texture.
- Confectioners’ Sugar – Sweetens and helps thicken the frosting.
- Cold Whole Milk – Used to blend the pudding mix smoothly into the frosting.
Get the complete ingredient list at the bottom of the page.
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1. Use a medium size mixing bowl and combine together the pudding mix, confectioner’s sugar and milk with a hand mixer until combined. Allow the mixture to sit for a few minutes until the pudding mixture thickens.
Step 2. Then gently fold in the Cool Whip until combined.
Step 3. Do not use the hand mixer for this step and combine by hand.
Step 4. Refrigerate until ready to use and enjoy! This is important as it does need to be refrigerated for the desired consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Store cool whip frosting in an airtight container. Due to the cool whip frosting ingredients, it must be stored in the fridge.
This frosting will last up to 3 days if stored properly. Just make sure to use a container that seals well.
Put the frosting inside a freezer container. It can be frozen up to a month. This is a great way to use leftover frosting later.
We love to do this and it freezes really well. Give it a try.
The frosting will thicken as it sets and the pudding mixture activates. We recommend refrigerating for at least an hour if you plan to pipe this frosting. This will help it to hold up better.
If you still desire it to be thicker, try adding cream cheese or powdered sugar until it is the desired texture. This will change the taste but it will still be delicious.
I would add this in increments until the desired consistency and texture. This ensures that you do not add too much at a time.
Expert Tips
- Thaw Cool Whip Completely: Make sure it’s fully thawed in the fridge for a smooth, easy-to-spread frosting.
- Use Cold Milk: Cold milk helps the instant pudding mix thicken properly and keeps the frosting light.
- Whip Gently: Fold the pudding mix into the Cool Whip carefully to maintain the fluffy texture.
- Adjust Sweetness: Taste and add more confectioners’ sugar if you prefer a sweeter frosting.
- Chill Before Frosting: For best results, refrigerate the frosting for 15–30 minutes before spreading on cakes or cupcakes.
- Decorate Quickly: The frosting is light and airy, so frost desserts just before serving to prevent it from settling.
- Flavor Variations: Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract, cocoa powder, or citrus zest for a fun twist.
Serving Suggestions
- Homemade Vanilla Cupcake Recipe. The simplicity of classic vanilla cupcakes taste amazing with the rich Cool Whip Frosting.
- Skinny Chocolate Cupcakes. These light chocolate cupcakes combine with whipped cream topping for a wonderful frosting.
- Strawberry Sheet Cake. The strawberry flavor is so delicious with this frosting.
- Lemon Cake. Not only is this cake gorgeous but it is so delicious with this frosting.
These are just a few of our favorites but this frosting goes with numerous cakes and cupcakes. You might have a family favorite recipe to try with this frosting.
It is so yummy. We have even scooped the frosting on top of a bowl of fresh berries. The ideas are truly endless.
More Easy Frosting Recipes
- Peanut Butter Frosting
- Cool Whip Cream Cheese Frosting
- Nutella Frosting Recipe
- Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Keto Chocolate Frosting Recipe
- Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
Whip up this light and creamy Cool Whip Frosting to elevate your cakes, cupcakes, or desserts in minutes! Share your creations in the comments, give the recipe a star rating, and experiment with flavors like chocolate, vanilla, or citrus to make it uniquely yours.
Cool Whip Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 box Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix 3.4 oz box
- 8 oz Cool Whip thawed
- 1/4 cup Confectioners Sugar
- 3/4 cup Cold Whole Milk
Instructions
- În a medium size mixing bowl, mix together the pudding mix, confectioner’s sugar and milk with a hand held mixer until combined (30 seconds to 1 minute).
- Let the mixture sit for a few minutes until the pudding mixture thickens (3-5 minutes).
- Then gently fold in the Cool Whip until combined.
- Refrigerate until ready to use and enjoy!
Do you need to add sugar. If you just use sugar free pudding and whipped topping could that work.
I am a diabetic and just thinking this could work for low sugar diets.
I haven’t tested it but I think you would need to add something sweet to the frosting. I would use a powdered sugar replacement like Swerve or Monkfruit sweetener instead to make it sugar free.