How to Make the Perfect Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

4 simple ingredients come together to make a delicious, slightly tangy cream cheese frosting perfect for almost any type of dessert.

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If I’m baking anything with frosting, it’s going to be homemade cream cheese frosting. I don’t think the cream cheese is overpowering, but I love cream cheese. I know a few people who don’t care for cream cheese so they don’t like the frosting as much. 

But, if you decide to make your own frosting, it’s very simple to put together. This is the best cream cheese frosting recipe I’ve worked with. 

I know cream cheese frosting isn’t for everyone, though it’s my favorite frosting. There are many options, such as buttercream frosting. You can view my recipe for buttercream frosting with the Sorting Hat Cupcakes.

Most stores sell cream cheese in a tub or a block. The block is much easier for this recipe. I find the blocks in 8oz sizes which is perfect for this recipe.

Icing vs Frosting

There are so many varieties of icing or frosting. But the definition of frosting is a bit vague, at least according to Wikipedia:

Icing, or frosting, is a sweet, often creamy glaze made of sugar with a liquid, such as water or milk, that is often enriched with ingredients like butter, egg whites, cream cheese, or flavorings. It is used to cover or decorate baked goods, such as cakes or cookies. When it is used between layers of cake, it is called filling.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icing_(food)

Looking at the definition, this qualifies as a frosting, not cream cheese icing. The powdered sugar is the sugar needed. Vanilla extract is the liquid. And butter and cream cheese are the flavorings. You can then use it as the perfect complement for cookies, cookie cake, sheet cake, chocolate cake, carrot cake, red velvet cake, and so many other delicious desserts.

Recipes in England as early as 1583 have used cream cheese. I can’t find the first use of cream cheese as a frosting ingredient, though. Recipes in the US started around the mid-18th century.

Cream cheese frosting is a thicker frosting and creamier than buttercream frosting. I like that it goes on smoothly, but it isn’t perfect. I’ve noticed it’s not great if you want to use a piping tool to make decorative frosting bits on your desserts, but it works in a piping bag. If you want a perfectly smooth cake, you’ll probably have to work with fondant. Personally, I don’t like fondant and I’ve never worked with it before.

Serving Suggestions & Tips

• The most important thing to do is to let the cream cheese and butter soften ahead of time. You should have room temperature butter and room temperature cream cheese. They mix better so you have fewer lumps in the end. 
• This recipe makes about 3 cups of frosting, which is enough for one cake with a little bit of frosting between the cake layers. 
• You can spread the frosting with an angled spatula or use a piping bag. 
• If your frosting is too thick, add a splash of milk, heavy cream, or lemon juice to thin it out. If it’s too thin, add a little more sugar.
• Add a little bit of cocoa powder to make chocolate cream cheese frosting. 
• When adding the powdered sugar or confectioners’ sugar, it works best to mix half of a cup at a time until you mix in all 3.5 cups of the powdered sugar. 
• Opt for full-fat cream cheese instead of low-fat cream cheese for a more fluffy frosting. 
• If you have a stand mixer, the whisk attachment works best to cream the butter and cream cheese. Then switch to the paddle attachment when mixing in the powdered sugar.

Cream Cheese Frosting Step by Step

Ingredients

• 8 tbsp unsalted butter (softened)
• 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Preparation

Let the cream cheese and butter soften for at least 20-30 minutes before making your frosting for the best results.

Use an electric mixer or the bowl of a stand mixer to cream the butter and cream cheese together in a large bowl at medium speed. Beat in the vanilla extract. Get as many of the lumps out as possible.

Slowly add the powdered sugar while mixing it on low speed. Once the powdered sugar has been mixed in, set the speed to high. Mix until the frosting is smooth. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed. If the frosting is too thin, add more powdered sugar. If it’s too thick, add a tablespoon of milk. Continue to stir until the frosting is smooth. It should be thick enough to stick to a spatula when you pull it out of the bowl.

Use immediately to frost your dessert. I like using an angled spatula for spreading on a cake. Keep the dessert in the refrigerator for the best results and to keep the longest.

Cream Cheese Frosting Leftovers

Storage: If you have any leftover frosting, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. 

Freezing: Cream cheese frosting can be frozen if placed in an airtight freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and whip again before use.

Recipe

Cream Cheese Frosting

4 simple ingredients come together to make a delicious, slightly tangy cream cheese frosting perfect for almost any type of dessert.

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Course:

Homemade Staple

Cuisine:

American

Keyword:

cream cheese

|

cream cheese frosting

|

dessert

|

frosting

|

homemade staples

Dietary Needs:

Egg-Free

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Gluten-Free

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Nut-Free

Servings: 3 cups

5 from 8 votes

Ingredients

• 8 tbsp unsalted butter (softened)
• 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Recommended Equipment

• Stand Mixer
• Electric Mixer
• Rubber Spatula

Instructions

• Use an electric mixer or stand mixer to cream the softened butter and cream cheese together
• Beat in the vanilla extract
• Slowly add the powdered sugar while mixing on low speed
• Once the powdered sugar has been mixed in, set the speed to high
• Mix until the frosting is smooth
• Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed
• Use to frost your dessert

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Nutrition Facts

Cream Cheese Frosting

Amount Per Serving (0.25 cups)

Calories 269 Calories from Fat 126

% Daily Value*

Fat 14g22%

Saturated Fat 8g40%

Cholesterol 41mg14%

Sodium 128mg5%

Potassium 26mg1%

Carbohydrates 36g12%

Sugar 35g39%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 487IU10%

Calcium 21mg2%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.

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