While I’m a big fan of American buttercream on a lot of cakes and cupcakes, there’s nothing quite like the sweet tanginess of homemade cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
These basic ingredients come together to make the most delicious sweet and tangy frosting.
- Unsalted butter: Butter makes the frosting rich and creamy.
- Full-fat cream cheese: Cream cheese adds tangy flavor. Use a full-fat version for richness.
- Pure vanilla extract: This extract balances the flavor of the frosting.
- Fine sea salt: A dash of salt balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors in the frosting.
- Powdered sugar: This sugar sweetens the frosting and helps to give it a silky smooth texture.
Variations
There are lots of ways to add even more flavor to this frosting. You may need to adjust the amount of powdered sugar when making any of the variations.
- Chocolate – Add unsweetened cocoa powder to create a rich and decadent chocolate frosting.
- Lemon – Fresh lemon juice and lemon zest can both impart bright and refreshing flavor.
- Cinnamon – Shake in some ground cinnamon to give your frosting warm flavor.
- Berries – Mix in pureed berries, such as strawberries or raspberries, to the recipe for a fruity and vibrant flavor.
- Color – You can adjust the color by adding your favorite shade of gel food color to the frosting.
How To Make Delicious Cream Cheese Frosting
It couldn’t be easier or quicker to make this simple frosting.
- Beat cream cheese. Add the cream cheese to a large bowl and use an electric hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment to beat the cream cheese until smooth.
- Add butter. Once smooth, add butter and continue to beat until the two ingredients are completely combined.
- Add salt and vanilla. Continue to beat while pouring in the vanilla and salt.
- Add powdered sugar. Pour in a portion of the powdered sugar, mixing until it is fully moistened. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are incorporated.
- Continue adding until desired consistency. Continue to add powdered sugar incrementally until it reaches the desired consistency.
How to Fix Thick Cream Cheese Frosting
The best way to get a thinner frosting is to add liquid. Add small amounts of milk or heavy cream incrementally.
Beat the frosting to fully incorporate the liquid. Check the consistency and repeat if needed.
How to Fix Thin Cream Cheese Frosting
For cream cheese frosting that is too thin, try these ideas to make a thicker frosting:
- Add more powdered sugar: The easiest way to thicken up thin cream cheese frosting is to add more powdered sugar. Just add it incrementally until you reach your desired consistency.
- Chill the frosting: Try placing the frosting in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes to firm it up.
- Add more cream cheese: Adding more cream cheese can help thicken up the frosting while also adding more flavor. Start by adding a tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
Uses for Easy Cream Cheese Frosting
You can spread this frosting on any baked goods! Try it on vanilla cupcakes, a sheet cake, or a mug cake.
This irresistible frosting can also be used as a dip for graham crackers, cookies, or fruit — or use it to frost oatmeal cookies.
Storage and Freezing
Since it contains dairy, always store this frosting in the refrigerator or freezer. This easy frosting can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator or freezer.
How to Store Cream Cheese Frosting
Store leftover frosting in an airtight container (or in the mixing bowl, covered with plastic wrap) in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.
Can I Freeze Frosting?
Yes you sure can! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cream cheese frosting is a combination of cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar. Vanilla and salt help to add flavor and balance the frosting.
Cream cheese icing tends to be thin u002du002d it’s often referred to as a glaze. Cream cheese frosting is rich and thick, perfect for spreading on cakes, cupcakes, and other baked goods.
This is a matter of personal preference u002du002d both are delicious. Cream cheese adds a little bit of tanginess to the frosting which complements cakes like red velvet, or those with spice added.
The recipe card lists a range for the measurement of the powdered sugar because it may require more or less powdered sugar to achieve the desired consistency. You’ll start with a few cups and then gradually increase until the frosting reaches the texture that you prefer.
Spreadable cream cheese is whipped. The process of whipping introduces too much air into the cream cheese u002du002d your frosting will not maintain its consistency if you use a spreadable version.
More Easy Frostings and Icings
While most people use them to frost cakes and cupcakes, I could totally eat these frostings by the spoonful!
Maple Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Recipe
Chocolate Fudge Frosting Recipe
Best Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 8 ounces full fat cream cheese softened
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 3-4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the butter and beat again until fully mixed.
- Add the vanilla and salt, mixing again.
- Start with 3 cups of powdered sugar, mixing until no dry spots remain. If the frosting is thick and holds its shape, it is all finished. If it starts to fall, slowly add up to 1 cup of powdered sugar by 2 tablespoon increments until it does.
- Use it on any recipe that calls for cream cheese frosting.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the star comments and ratings.
Nutrition
