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Cream Cheese Frosting
![A close up of a cake](https://thebestblogrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/cream-cheese-frosting-recipe-card-150x150.jpg)
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Cream cheese frosting is smooth, rich, and has a delightful tang that makes it ideal for cakes, cupcakes, and cookies. This easy recipe will show you how to whip up your own delicious frosting that has just the right texture for all your tasty treats.
It’s a simple way to make your desserts even more scrumptious!
More Recipes ⭐ Cool Whip Frosting | Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes | Lemon Velvet Cake Recipe
This cream cheese frosting is a game-changer for desserts, transforming ordinary bakes into extraordinary treats. It pairs wonderfully with red velvet cupcakes, adding a smooth, tangy contrast that delights with every bite.
Elevate your carrot cake and banana bread brownies with this lusciously creamy topping. Its rich texture and perfect sweetness enhance every dessert, making it a crowd-pleaser at any gathering.
Frosting Ingredients
What you'll need to make this easy cream cheese frosting:
- 8-ounce block of cream cheese, room temperature
- ½ cup of unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons of heavy cream
- ¾ teaspoons of vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- 3 cups of powdered sugar, sifted
Substitutions and Additions
These easy substitutions and additions can easily be swapped out while still maintaining the deliciousness of this cream cheese frosting for cupcakes!
CREAM CHEESE: For this easy recipe, it's important to use full-fat cream cheese in block form. Avoid using spreadable cream cheese from a tub or fat-free versions, as they can result in a runnier frosting that doesn’t achieve the desired taste or consistency.
How to make Cream Cheese Frosting
Pro Tip
The great thing about this simple cream cheese frosting recipe is that you can prepare it ahead of time and freeze it until you're ready to use it. This makes it super convenient for any baking plans you have in the future.
FIRST STEP: Add the room-temperature cream cheese block and unsalted butter to a medium-sized mixing bowl.
SECOND STEP: Using a hand mixer on medium speed, beat together the cream cheese and room-temperature butter for 2 to 3 minutes or until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
Pro Tip
Ensure that your cream cheese is at room temperature before you start, to avoid any lumps in your smooth and creamy frosting.
THIRD STEP: Add the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt to the butter and cream cheese and beat until fully incorporated.
FOURTH STEP: Add the sifted powdered sugar, ½ cup at a time, to the cream cheese mixture and beat on low speed.
Continue to add the powdered sugar, ½ cup at a time, until all the powdered sugar has been added and your cream cheese frosting is thick and smooth.
Pro Tip
If your frosting turns out too thin, you can thicken it by gradually adding more powdered sugar, starting with just a ¼ cup at a time until it reaches your preferred thickness.
Conversely, if the frosting is too thick, you can soften it by adding a bit more heavy cream. Begin with just a splash (about 1 teaspoon), mix it well, and if it's still not the right consistency, add another teaspoon until it's just right.
![powdered sugar added to the heavy cream mixture and then blended together in a bowl](https://thebestblogrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/cream-cheese-frosting-step2.jpg)
Pro Tip
For beautifully piped cupcakes, start by inserting a large piping tip (like the Wilton 2A) into a large piping bag or a sturdy zip-top bag with a corner cut off. Then, fill the bag with your cream cheese frosting.
To ensure the frosting pipes smoothly, let it firm up slightly by placing it in the fridge for about 15 to 20 minutes before you begin decorating.
It's crucial to wait until your cupcakes are completely cool before applying the frosting. If the cupcakes are too warm, the frosting may melt and slide right off.
Nothing expresses "I love you" quite like homemade treats topped with creamy, delicious cream cheese frosting. The tangy flavor of the cream cheese provides the perfect balance, making it the ideal finish for any dessert you whip up from scratch.
How to Serve This Cake Frosting Recipe
There's truly nothing like fluffy cream cheese frosting—it's the ultimate topping for your favorite cupcakes and cakes. Try this delightful frosting on our carrot cake cupcakes or pumpkin cookies to enhance their flavors before serving.
If you're in the mood for something a bit different, consider our strawberry cream cheese frosting. It's a tasty twist on the classic recipe. For those who prefer something lighter, our Cool Whip frosting is a wonderfully airy and fluffy alternative that's just as delicious.
Why You'll Love This Cream Cheese Icing Recipe
Versatile: Perfect for birthday cakes, this frosting adds creamy luxury to any celebration. Its smooth texture is ideal for creating decorative designs.
Festive: Enhance holiday desserts with its rich, tangy flavor. This frosting pairs wonderfully with seasonal flavors like pumpkin and peppermint.
Convenient: An easy, go-to recipe for delicious frosting anytime. It's quick to make and guarantees to impress with its professional taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make cream cheese frosting ahead of time?
Yes, you can! This homemade cream cheese frosting freezes excellently. You can store it in the freezer for up to one month, ensuring it's ready to use whenever you need it.
Can I use low-fat cream cheese?
For the best results, it’s best to use full-fat cream cheese. Low-fat or fat-free cream cheese tends to result in a frosting that’s less creamy and thick, which might not meet your expectations for texture and flavor.
Can I save leftover frosting?
Absolutely! This classic cream cheese frosting can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. If you won't use it right away, you can also freeze it for up to a month.
Storing this Recipe
Make Ahead: Preparing your cream cheese buttercream frosting in advance is a great way to save time. You can make it and store it either in the fridge for a few days or freeze it for a longer period. This is especially helpful for planned events or when you want to have a delicious frosting ready to go at a moment’s notice. Follow the storage tips below to ensure your frosting stays fresh and maintains its perfect consistency.
In the Fridge: Due to the cream cheese, it's important not to leave any frosted baked goods out at room temperature for more than 1 to 2 hours. You can store the frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For the best texture and flavor, let the frosting come back to room temperature before using it, making it more enjoyable and easier to spread.
In the Freezer: This best cream cheese frosting can be frozen for up to 1 month. Simply store it in an airtight container or a tightly sealed bag. When you're ready to use it, thaw the frosting in the refrigerator overnight and then let it come to room temperature before applying to cakes or cupcakes.
Cupcake Recipes
Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 3 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- ¾ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
DIRECTIONS
- You can make your frosting by adding the room-temperature cream cheese block and the room-temperature unsalted butter to a medium-sized mixing bowl.
- Using a handheld mixer on medium speed, beat together the cream cheese and unsalted butter for 2 to 3 minutes or until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
- Add the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt to the butter and cream cheese and beat until fully incorporated.
- Add the sifted powdered sugar, ½ cup at a time, to the cream cheese mixture and beat on low speed. Continue to add the powdered sugar, ½ cup at a time, until all the powdered sugar has been added and your cream cheese frosting is thick and smooth.
Notes
- If your frosting is a little too loose for your preference, then you can add additional powdered sugar, but I would start with just a ¼ cup at a time until you reach your desired thickness. If it is too stiff, you can loosen it up by adding a little extra heavy cream to it. I would start with just a splash (about 1 teaspoon), then mix it, and if that does not get you to your desired consistency, you can add an additional teaspoon.
- The beauty of this easy cream cheese frosting is that you can make it in advance and store it in the freezer until the day you are ready to use it.
- Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature, so you don’t end up with lumps in your creamy frosting.
- If your frosting is a little too loose for your preference, you can add additional powdered sugar, starting with just a ¼ cup at a time until you reach your desired thickness. If it is too stiff, you can loosen it up by adding a little extra heavy cream to it. Start with just a splash (about 1 teaspoon), then mix it, and if that does not get you to your desired consistency, you can add an additional teaspoon.
- I like to pipe my frosting for my cupcakes. To do so, you can place a large piping tip (I like to use a Wilton 2A tip) into a large piping bag, or a heavy-duty zip-top bag with a corner snipped off of it, then transfer the cream cheese frosting into the piping bag. The cream cheese frosting pipes a little easier if you allow it to firm up just a little bit by placing it in the fridge for about 15 to 20 minutes before decorating your cupcakes. Be sure that your cupcakes are completely cool before frosting them, or your frosting will just melt right off the top of your cupcakes.
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