This is the best ever cream cheese frosting recipe. It has the perfect balance of sweet and tangy for all of your favorite cakes or the tops of cupcakes.
Cream Cheese Frosting is perfect on classic recipes such as carrot cake and red velvet cake.
Sweet frostings like buttercream frostings contain more sugar versus cream cheese frosting. This versatile frosting recipe is creamy and has just the right amount of sweetness thanks to the tangy cream cheese flavor.
This easy cream cheese frosting is the perfect complement to a delicious piece of fluffy cake.
This homemade cream cheese frosting recipe is just the right consistency and easy to frost a cake with. It’s also a pipe-able frosting, so you can pipe this great frosting onto your cake with a piping tip or frost cupcakes with it.
Making homemade frosting is really rather easy and the first time you try a homemade recipe, you will never buy store bought again. You will see it really is a rather easy recipe!
How to Make The Perfect Cream Cheese Frosting
Equipment
- Electric Mixer with the paddle attachment or Hand Mixer
- Large mixing bowl
- Rubber spatula
- Piping Bag
Simple Ingredients Needed
- 2 boxes of cream cheese
- 1/4 cup butter
- pure vanilla extract
- powdered sugar
Step by Step Instructions
Be sure to start with both softened butter and cream cheese.
Cream together butter and cream cheese in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer on medium-low speed.
Slowly add powdered sugar and vanilla.
Whip until fully combined light and fluffy (4-5 mins), be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
For a lighter color frosting omit the vanilla extract and add 2 tablespoons of flavored coffee creamer.
If you live in a warm climate, I would keep your frosting in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it.
How Much Frosting Does this Classic cream Cheese Frosting Recipe Make?
You will have enough frosting for:
- a 9×13 sheet cake
- 2 dozen cupcakes
- 1 single layer round cake, if frosting a double layer cake, double the recipe.
What Kind of Recipes Does Cream Cheese Frosting Work With?
An amazing Cream cheese frosting is a delicious and versatile topping for all sorts of desserts. Some different ways to pair this fluffy frosting is with your favorite cupcakes, between layers of cake or even the entire cake, fruit tarts,
sugar cookies and even savory dishes like carrot cake cupcakes or pumpkin bread. The possibilities are endless! If you’re looking for some recipe inspiration, here are a few ideas to get you started:
banana cake,
red velvet cupcakes,
pumpkin cake,
banana bars,
lemon cake,
cinnamon rolls,
spice cake,
chocolate cake
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Absolutely! Keep your delicious frosting in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. When you are ready to use it, defrost in the refrigerator to allow the frosting to come to room temperature. Sometimes when I have a little bit of my cream cheese icing recipe left over, I like to dip graham crackers in it for a fun snack because it really is one of the best frostings.
Yes! Just like you would add colors to buttercream frosting, you can to cream cheese frosting as well. I would use vanilla flavored coffee creamer or heavy cream instead of vanilla extract or clear vanilla extract if you are adding food coloring.
You can also add flavoring to your frosting. I have added a few teaspoons of cinnamon to my cream cheese frosting when making my carrot cake. You can also add lemon extract, lemon juice or lemon zest for a delicious lemon flavor or a few tablespoons of cocoa powder to make it a chocolate cream cheese frosting.
To make the best cream cheese frosting recipe be sure to use a full-fat cream cheese. This will give your frosting a richer flavor and a nicer texture. Whichever brands of cream cheese you decide to use, make sure it’s at room temperature before you start making the frosting. Softened cream cheese will help make sure you don’t end up with lumpy frosting.
To stiffen the consistency of the frosting, add more confectioners’ sugar. This will make a sweeter frosting, but it will also make it thicker and more stable, perfect for decorating cakes or cupcakes.
Your tangy Cream cheese frosting will last in the fridge for about a week.
Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 boxes of cream cheese
- 1/2 a stick of butter
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 2 pounds powdered sugar
Instructions
Cream together butter and cream cheese
Slowly add powdered sugar and vanilla
Whip until fully combined light and fluffy (4-5 mins)
For a lighter color frosting omit the vanilla extract and add 2 tablespoons of flavored coffee creamer
Notes
I have extra Cream Cheese Frosting, can I freeze it?
Absolutely! Keep your delicious frosting in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. When you are ready to use it, defrost in the refrigerator to allow the frosting to come to room temperature. Sometimes when I have a little bit of my cream cheese icing recipe left over, I like to dip graham crackers in it for a fun snack because it really is one of the best frostings.
Can I Add Flavors or Colors to My Cream Cheese Frosting?
Yes! Just like you would add colors to buttercream frosting, you can to cream cheese frosting as well. I would use vanilla flavored coffee creamer or heavy cream instead of vanilla extract or clear vanilla extract if you are adding food coloring.
You can also add flavoring to your frosting. I have added a few teaspoons of cinnamon to my cream cheese frosting when making my carrot cake. You can also add lemon extract, lemon juice or lemon zest for a delicious lemon flavor or a few tablespoons of cocoa powder to make it a chocolate cream cheese frosting.
What kind of cream cheese should I use for cream cheese frosting?
To make the best cream cheese frosting recipe be sure to use a full-fat cream cheese. This will give your frosting a richer flavor and a nicer texture. Whichever brands of cream cheese you decide to use, make sure it's at room temperature before you start making the frosting. Softened cream cheese will help make sure you don't end up with lumpy frosting.
How to Stiffen Cream Cheese Frosting?
To stiffen the consistency of the frosting, add more confectioners' sugar. This will make a sweeter frosting, but it will also make it thicker and more stable, perfect for decorating cakes or cupcakes.
How Long Does Cream Cheese Frosting Last in the Fridge?
Your tangy Cream cheese frosting will last in the fridge for about a week.
Tina F
Thursday 21st of October 2021
I love cream cheese frosting. I use a similar recipe. I only use 1/2 the powdered sugar because I am diabetic. I love making my own frosting cause I can control the sugar. I use a little more vanilla.
Carol
Friday 2nd of April 2021
My favourite is with brown sugar instead of icing sugar. Delicious! Tastes like boiled frosting!