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This Cream Cheese Frosting recipe is quick and easy. This frosting is thick and velvety with that signature tangy flavor. It’s the perfect frosting for decorating cakes and cupcakes.
If you love cream cheese frosting, you’ll love my cream cheese whipped cream and my chocolate cream cheese frosting.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Simply The Best Cream Cheese Frosting
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Two Secrets for The Best Frosting Consistency
- How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting
- Why Is My Frosting Runny and How to Fix It
- Does Cream Cheese Frosting Need to be Refrigerated?
- Can I Make This in Advance?
- Flavor Variation Ideas
- Recipe to Use with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Get the Recipe
Simply The Best Cream Cheese Frosting
There are a lot of cream cheese frosting recipes on the web, however, there’s one thing that makes my recipe different. I start with cold ingredients, which help make a thick frosting that is perfect for piping on cupcakes or frosting a cake.
This is one of my favorite frosting recipes of all time and I could eat it by the spoonful. It has the silkiest, rich flavor without being overly sweet. This frosting recipe is quick and easy since you don’t have to wait for the ingredients to reach room temperature.
I’ve made many variations of this recipe and of course it’s a staple for carrot cake, red velvet cupcakes, and my pumpkin cupcakes, which are just to-die-for.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 5 simple ingredients
- Signature tangy cream cheese flavor without being overly sweet
- Stiff and holds it’s shape, which makes it perfect for piping and decorating cakes and cupcakes
- Quick to prepare
Two Secrets for The Best Frosting Consistency
Most cream cheese frosting recipes are too soft or runny to use for decorating beautiful cakes and cupcakes. But I have solved the problem for you.
Start with cold ingredients: My recipe uses cold butter and cold cream cheese. I find that room temperature ingredients can lead to runny or thin frosting.
Use the proper cream cheese: You need to use a brick of full-fat cream cheese. This is especially important because the consistency of the reduced-fat or fat-free cream cheese or even whipped cream cheese can cause the frosting to be especially soft and runny.
How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting
Before beginning, I like to cut the butter and cream cheese into smaller cubes, as it helps the mixer to better incorporate them.
Beat the butter: First, beat the butter for 2-3 minutes until it is light and fluffy. You’ll need to scrape down the bowl a few times, but it should be beaten until it reaches a consistency where it could easily be spread on toast.
Creamed Butter Add cubed cream cheese
Add the cream cheese: Then add the cream cheese and cream together for 2-3 minutes until they are fluffy and free of lumps. The frosting will first appear to resemble cottage cheese, but continue beating it until it works itself out and reaches a smoother consistency.
Butter and Cream Cheese are still grainy Beat until it’s a smooth consistency
Add the powdered sugar and liquid: Slowly add confectionary sugar 2 cups at a time and alternate adding the vanilla extract and heavy cream. I recommend adding only 1 tablespoon of heavy cream at first, and then adding additional if needed. Make sure the powdered sugar is fully incorporated before adding the next batch,
One final mix: Once all the ingredients have been added, give that bowl once final scrape down and beat the frosting for another minute or two.
Why Is My Frosting Runny and How to Fix It
Did you use the right type of cream cheese? You need an 8-ounce block of full-fat cream cheese. Do not use reduced or fat-free, or any type of whipped cream cheese as they are too thin and contain more water.
Did you use room temperature ingredients instead of cold ingredients? This recipe was specifically developed using cold ingredients. If you used room temperature, you may need to add additional powdered sugar to help thicken the frosting, or you may need to refrigerate the frosting prior to using it.
How to fix it: To fix a thin frosting, one option is to add additional powdered sugar, 1/2 cup to 1 cup at a time. However, this can quickly make the frosting overly sweet. So instead, I recommend refrigerating it for 20-30 minutes to firm it up before piping.
Does Cream Cheese Frosting Need to be Refrigerated?
Generally speaking, desserts made with cream cheese frosting should be refrigerated. However, if I serve my dessert within 24 hours, I will leave it at room temperature, as I live in a mild climate, and keep my house cool. If you live in a hot humid environment, always refrigerate your desserts.
If you refrigerate your cakes or cupcakes, be sure to remove them from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes prior to serving. Cakes and cupcakes are best served at room temperature.
Can I Make This in Advance?
This is the perfect frosting to make ahead of time. Prepare the frosting as you normally would, and then store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Thirty minutes prior to using, take the frosting out of the fridge and leave on the counter. If it still seems too thick, go ahead and put it back in the mixer and beat for about 2 minutes until it’s light and fluffy again.
Flavor Variation Ideas
- Fresh Fruit zest: Adding some zest from a fresh lemon or orange really compliments the tangy cream cheese
- Add alcohol: Swap out some of the vanilla for Bourbon
- Make it chocolate: Add cocoa powder for a chocolate cream cheese frosting
- Salted Caramel: I love adding some salted caramel to the frosting, which I paired with my Sweet Potato Cake
- Fall flavors: Add cinnamon and a splash of maple syrup. This would pair so well with my pumpkin or gingerbread cupcakes.
Recipe to Use with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Carrot Cake Cupcakes
- Red Velvet Cupcakes
- Pumpkin Cupcakes
- Gingerbread Cupcakes
- Vanilla Cupcakes
- Chocolate Cupcakes
Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 24 cupcakes
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
This Cream Cheese Frosting recipe is quick and easy and it’s the perfect cupcake frosting because it holds its shape nicely for piping. You need to try this, it’s the best frosting!
Ingredients
For 24 cupcakes or a 2 layer cake
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, cold
- 16 ounces (452g) cream cheese, cold
- 6–7 cups (780g) powdered confectionary sugar
- 2 teaspoons (10ml) vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoon (15-30ml) heavy whipping cream (optional)
For 12 cupcakes or a 9×13 inch cake
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, cold
- 8 ounces (226g) cream cheese, cold
- 4 cups (520g) powdered confectionary sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5g) vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) heavy whipping cream (optional)
Instructions
- Cut the butter into 1-inch blocks. Beat the butter for 2-3 minutes until it is light and fluffy and reaches a spreadable consistency.
- Then add the cream cheese and cream together for 2-3 minutes until they are fluffy and free of lumps, scape down the bowl occasionally.
- Slowly add confectionary sugar 2 cups at a time and alternating adding the vanilla extract and heavy cream. Reserve 1 tablespoon of heavy cream and add only if needed. Beat on low speed until the powdered sugar has combined then increase speed to medium-high and beat for 1-2 minutes. Repeat until all the powdered sugar has been added.
Notes
- How to store this frosting: You can refrigerate the frosting in an airtight container for several days. Allow the frosting to come to room temperature, at least 20-30 minutes before using.
- Ways to flavor this frosting: lemon extract, fruit zests like lemon or orange, Bourbon, cinnamon, maple syrup.
- How to adjust the consistency of your frosting: If you find the frosting is too thin, refrigerate for 30-60 minutes before using. Add an additional 1/2 cup of confectionary sugar at a time for a stiffer consistency, if desired. If you find the frosting is too sweet, add 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream and a pinch of salt and beat until well combined.
- Storing frosted cupcakes: Generally speaking, desserts made with this frosting should be refrigerated. However, if I serve my dessert within 24 hours, I will leave it at room temperature, as I live in a mild climate, and keep my house cool. If you live in a hot a humid environment, always refrigerate your desserts. Serve at room temperature for best results.
- Category: Frosting
- Method: Stand Mixer
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: homemade frosting, cream cheese icing, cake frosting, cupcake frosting
can i use whole milk instead of heavy whipping cream? thank u
Yep!
Terrific cream cheese frosting! Used it to top a banana cake so I added a little maple with the vanilla and a pinch of cinnamon (no heavy cream needed). Very happy with this frosting. Used the amounts recommended for a 13×9 cake – and it was the perfect amount for frosting my cake (and I like a LOT of frosting on my cake)! Will definitely use again. Thank you!
★★★★★
Yes! That is awesome Maryann, thank you so much for sharing your feedback. I love the changes you made!