# Duncan Hines Cream Cheese Creamy Home?Style Frosting > Health and ingredient intelligence for a real grocery product. Source: Supermarket Puzzle (Grocery Intelligence Index). Not a shop. ## Snapshot - **Brand:** Duncan Hines - **Retailer listed:** Foodtown - **Category:** Cooking & Baking - **Size:** 16 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/duncan-hines-cream-cheese-creamy-homestyle-frosting-16-oz - **Slug:** `duncan-hines-cream-cheese-creamy-homestyle-frosting-16-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods This product is ultra-processed: it contains refined sugars, multiple vegetable oils, corn syrup, emulsifiers, preservatives, colorants and artificial flavors, and is an industrially formulated ready-to-use food product. ## Review Duncan Hines Cream Cheese Creamy Home-Style Frosting is a shelf-stable 16 oz plastic tub you’ll typically find in the baking aisle near cake mixes, other frostings, sprinkles and decorating supplies rather than in the refrigerated dairy case. It reads as a quick shortcut for home bakers who want the tang and look of cream cheese frosting without the perishable ingredient. Shoppers reach for it during holiday-baking sprees, birthday-party prep, or any time they need a ready-to-use topping for sheet cakes, layer cakes, brownies or cupcakes. The brand’s positioning is mainstream and nostalgic — Duncan Hines evokes family baking, convenience, and approachable celebrations — aimed at busy parents and casual bakers who value ease and familiar flavors over artisanal credentials. The tub’s label leans on comforting language and cake imagery rather than health claims; there are no organic or natural-certification badges, and the ingredient list includes “natural and artificial flavor” and color additives (Yellow 5, Red 40), which signal a kid-friendly, colorful appeal. In plain terms the product is highly processed: it’s an industrial formulation using vegetable oils, corn syrup, emulsifiers and preservatives to deliver a stable, long-lived frosting. Sensory-wise it spreads and pipes smoothly with a glossy, dense creaminess — very sweet with a tanged “cream cheese” note that’s more flavored than dairy-rich. Typical use is a quick spread with a spatula or piping bag, a last-minute finishing touch at holiday tables or casual weekend celebrations where convenience and consistent results trump homemade technique. ## Diet flags - Vegetarian - Gluten-free ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 2.0 tbsp - **Servings per container:** 13 - **Calories:** 140 - **Total fat:** 5g (6% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 2.5g (13% DV) - **Sodium:** 70mg (3% DV) - **Total carbs:** 23g (8% DV) - **Total sugars:** 22g - **Added sugars:** 22g (44% DV) - **Protein:** 0g ## Ingredients INGREDIENTS: SUGAR, WATER, PALM OIL, CORN SYRUP, CANOLA OIL, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: CORN STARCH, MONO AND DIGLYCERIDES, SALT, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (COLOR), SODIUM STEAROYL LACTYLATE, PRESERVATIVE (POTASSIUM SORBATE), NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, LACTIC ACID, ANTIOXIDANTS (ASCORBYL PALMITATE, TOCOPHEROLS, CHAMOMILE AND ROSEMARY EXTRACT), SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM CITRATE, YELLOW 5, RED 40. ## Flagged ingredients - **Canola oil** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids - **Palm oil** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids - **Mono and diglycerides** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier - **Potassium sorbate** (preservative): Synthetic preservative - **Yellow 5** (additive): Artificial coloring - **Red 40** (additive): Artificial coloring ## Context tags - **Occasions:** holiday-baking, weekend-brunch, movie-night - **Vibes:** nostalgic, indulgent, convenient, comforting ## FAQ ### Is Duncan Hines Cream Cheese Frosting healthy? The term 'healthy' can be a bit subjective! This frosting is definitely a treat, packed with sugar and fats, which makes it more of an indulgence than a health food. It's great for satisfying your sweet tooth, but if you're looking for something nutritious, you might want to save it for special occasions. ### Is it vegan? Nope, the Duncan Hines Cream Cheese Frosting isn’t vegan. It contains cream cheese, which is made from dairy. So, if you're following a vegan diet, you might want to skip this one or look for a plant-based alternative. ### Is it gluten-free? Yes, this frosting is gluten-free! So if you’re avoiding gluten for any reason, you can enjoy this frosting without worry. Just remember to double-check the rest of your cake or dessert ingredients to keep everything gluten-free! ### Does it contain seed oils? Yes, this frosting contains palm oil and canola oil, both of which are considered seed oils. While some people prefer to avoid seed oils due to their processing methods, they’re commonly used in many baked goods for texture and stability, so it’s all about what fits your dietary preferences. ### Does it contain artificial sweeteners? No, this frosting does not contain artificial sweeteners. It’s sweetened with good ol' sugar, which gives it that classic frosting taste we all love. If you’re looking for a lower-calorie option, you might need to explore other brands that cater specifically to that. ### Is it high in sugar? Yes, this frosting is definitely high in sugar, with 22 grams per 2 tablespoons! It's designed to be sweet and delicious, perfect for topping off cakes or cupcakes, but if you're watching your sugar intake, consider using it sparingly. ### What are healthier alternatives? If you're looking for healthier alternatives to Duncan Hines Frosting, consider making your own at home with natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey, or using Greek yogurt mixed with cocoa powder for a creamy, lower-sugar option. There are also brands out there that offer frosting made with more wholesome ingredients, so keep an eye out when you're shopping! ### Can kids eat it? Absolutely! Kids can enjoy Duncan Hines Cream Cheese Frosting, especially as a fun treat on their birthday cakes or cupcakes. Just keep in mind the sugar content — moderation is key, as with any sweet treat! ### Is it good for weight loss? While this frosting can be a delightful treat, it’s not exactly a weight-loss-friendly option. It's high in sugar and calories, so if you’re trying to shed some pounds, it might be best enjoyed in small amounts or saved for special occasions. ### Is it ultra-processed? Yes, this frosting falls into the ultra-processed category. It contains a mix of ingredients, including preservatives and artificial colors, which means it's been through quite a bit of processing. While that doesn’t mean it’s 'bad,' just be aware that it’s not a minimally processed option if that’s what you’re after. ## Related products - [McCormick Perfect Pinch Salad Supreme Seasoning](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/mccormick-perfect-pinch-salad-supreme-seasoning-434-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/mccormick-perfect-pinch-salad-supreme-seasoning-434-oz - [McCormick Basil Leaves](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/mccormick-mccormick-basil-leaves-125-oz) (NOVA 1) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/mccormick-mccormick-basil-leaves-125-oz - [Truvia Brown Spoonable Jar](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/truvia-brown-spoonable-jar-980-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/truvia-brown-spoonable-jar-980-oz - [Celtic Sea Salt Light Grey](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/celtic-sea-salt-light-grey-050-lb) (NOVA 2) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/celtic-sea-salt-light-grey-050-lb - [Bisquick Gluten Free Pancake and Baking Mix](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/bisquick-gluten-free-pancake-and-baking-mix-16-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/bisquick-gluten-free-pancake-and-baking-mix-16-oz - [Morton Iodized Himalayan Pink Salt 22 oz](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/morton-iodized-himalayan-pink-salt-22-oz-22-oz) (NOVA 2) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/morton-iodized-himalayan-pink-salt-22-oz-22-oz - [Badia Spices Ground Garlic and Parsley](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/badia-spices-ground-garlic-and-parsley-5-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/badia-spices-ground-garlic-and-parsley-5-oz - [Spectrum Naturals Organic Unrefined Extra Virgin Olive Oil](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/spectrum-culinary-naturals-organic-unrefined-extra-virgin-olive-oil-8-oz) (NOVA 2) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/spectrum-culinary-naturals-organic-unrefined-extra-virgin-olive-oil-8-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. 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