This homemade cream cheese frosting is incredibly easy to make with just a handful of staple ingredients. It’s the perfect icing for spreading or piping onto our favorite cakes and cupcakes like carrot cake and red velvet cake and even cookies.
My Family’s Favorite Cream Cheese Icing
This easy recipe and my chocolate buttercream recipe are, by far, the most favorite frostings in my house. I use even use this basic recipe on pumpkin bread and I have been known to scoop up leftovers with apple slices and pretzels.
Whether you’re making a layer cake or cupcakes for a crowd, this is a go-to frosting that everyone must have. This recipe makes the perfect amount for any 9×13 sheet cake, a two 8 or 9-inch round layer cake or 24 cupcakes. You can also color this frosting easily with gel food coloring.
There is never a need to buy premade frosting when you can literally make this recipe this up in less than 10 minutes. I try to have cream cheese on hand just so I can always be ready to make a batch.
Only 4 Ingredients Needed
The complete list of ingredients with amounts are listed in the full recipe card below.
- Butter – I use unsalted butter softened to room temperature so it whips smooth. But I have used salted as well and it is just fine in my opinion too.
- Block Cream cheese – I use full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature for about 30 minutes. I have used ⅓ less fat instead of regular cream cheese with the same results but I don’t recommend whipped cream cheeses.
- Vanilla extract – Use pure vanilla for best taste instead of imitation.
- Powdered sugar – Spoon and level the powdered sugar to measure it accurately. I use 3 cups for this recipe but you can use as little as 2 cups and up to 4 cups for a more sweet, thick frosting.
How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting
In just few minutes, you’ll have the best cream cheese frosting ready to use on your cooled cakes and cupcakes.
Step 1: In a large bowl, add the softened butter and cream cheese. Beat with a stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or use an electric hand mixer) on medium speed for about 1 minute until it’s light and fluffy.
Step 2: Add the vanilla extract and blend it in completely.
Step 3: Gradually add in the powdered sugar in batches and mix on low speed until completely combined with no lumps. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as you add and blend.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Let it come to room temperature before spreading.
Tips
To make your frosting sweeter, add more powdered sugar, up to a cup more. For thinner icing (for a smaller piping tip), add one tablespoon at a time of heavy cream or milk to thin it to your desired consistency.
Refrigerate any desserts that you frost with this icing.
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Best Easy Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened, 1 stick
- 8 ounces cream cheese full fat, 1 block softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, add the softened butter and cream cheese and mix with a stand mixer or an electric hand mixer for one minute until fluffy and smooth.½ cup unsalted butter, 8 ounces cream cheese
- Add the vanilla extract and blend until combined.1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Gradually add in the powdered sugar and mix until completely combined with no lumps.3 cups powdered sugar
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclosure
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.
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