• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • All Recipes
  • IP Calculator
  • SV Chart
  • Using Grow
  • Subscribe

Smells Like Delish

menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • IP Calculator
  • SV Chart
  • Using Grow
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • All Recipes
    • IP Calculator
    • SV Chart
    • Using Grow
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Published: Mar 18, 2023 by Kelly Bloom · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • Yummly
    • YouTube

    Cream Cheese Frosting Without Butter

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Smooth and silky cream cheese frosting made with no butter.

    Perfect for adding onto cupcakes, cakes or cookies, this cream cheese frosting without butter is so delicious that you won’t believe it contains no butter!

    Smooth and silky cream cheese frosting made with no butter.

    Why You Will Love This Recipe

    With just a few ingredients, you can make incredibly rich and creamy cream cheese frosting without butter that holds up better on brownies and cookies! Whether you are making something special for this weekend's celebration, or planning ahead for the upcoming holiday season, this no butter cream cheese frosting recipe makes it easier to bake with less butter.

    Jump to:
    • Why You Will Love This Recipe
    • No Butter Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients
    • How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting Without Butter
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Tips for Success
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Food Safety
    • Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
    • Connect with Smells Like Delish!
    • 📖 Recipe

    No Butter Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients

    Whether you’re topping off cupcakes or adding to cheesecake bars, this dreamy, creamy no butter cream cheese frosting is sure to become your go-to when it comes time to finish things off in style!

    powdered sugar and cream cheese in bowls.
    Powdered sugar and cream cheese.
    • Powdered Sugar
    • Cream Cheese - Use full fat cream cheese.
    • Vanilla extract - You can also use lemon extract, almond extract, or any you like to make different flavors. Maple extract is amazing on our Crumbl Pumpkin Cookies!

    Need your cream cheese to soften faster?

    Don't use the microwave, it overheats too easily. Simply cut your cream cheese into small cubes and spread out on a plate. The extra surface area will allow the cream cheese to naturally soften very quickly.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting Without Butter

    1. You will start with allowing your cream cheese to come to room temperature. This will make is much easier to whip your cream cheese frosting to a light and fluffy mixture.

    Mix Cream Cheese and Powdered Sugar

    1. Add the room temperature cream cheese to a large mixing bowl.
    2. Add some of the powdered sugar. Mix on slow (so you don't send powdered sugar everywhere) until the cream cheese and powdered sugar are incorporated.
    3. Add the vanilla extract and mix in.
    powdered sugar added to cream cheese.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Whip Until Fluffy

    1. Add the remaining powdered sugar and again, mix on slow until the powdered sugar is mixed in.
    2. Increase the speed of your mixer, and beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar mixture until it becomes creamy, smooth, and fluffy.

    PRO TIP: For a thinner, icing type of frosting, slowly add cream in 1 tablespoon increments and mix with your mixer. Stop when you reach your desired consistency. Icing will typically need about 2 - 3 tablespoons of cream for a consistency that will let you drizzle.

    Fluffy icing in a bowl.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Frost or Pipe Cream Cheese Frosting

    1. Frost your cookies, bars, cake, etc now, or fill a piping bag if you are piping frosting on your baked good!

    PRO TIP: For firmer frosting, refrigerate for about 20 minutes. This will allow your piped decorations to have sharper lines.

    Bowl and piping bag of creamy white icing.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Serving Suggestions

    When frosting cookies, brownies, and cinnamon rolls, I prefer this no butter cream cheese frosting over my classic Easy Cream Cheese Frosting recipe using butter. Cream cheese frosting without butter holds up better on baked goods, especially in the warmer months.

    Use this delicious frosting with our TikTok Cinnamon Rolls and Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting, the frosting sets better and is easier for serving! it's also perfect for our Pumpkin Bars, Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, and

    carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and toasted coconut on the sides.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Substitutions

    You can also use Neufchatel cheese, as it is almost identical to cream cheese. another delicious substitution is Mascarpone cheese. Cream cheese is made with milk, while Mascarpone is made with cream.

    Variations

    I love frostings with different flavors. I made a cinnamon buttercream for my Crumbl Cinnamon Churro Cookies, but they would also be amazing with cinnamon cream cheese frosting also!

    • Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting - See our separate recipe for Cinnamon Cream Cheese frosting, or make it a no butter cream cheese frosting also simply by adding 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon when you add the powdered sugar to the whipped cream cheese.
    • White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting - Melt some white chocolate chips and slowly whip in with the softened cream cheese. Slowly add the powdered sugar and milk, and beat until smooth and creamy.
    • Cream Cheese Cinnamon Rolls Frosting - Use this no butter cream cheese frosting recipe, except add ¼ cup milk after mixing in the powdered sugar. You may not need the full ¼ cup, mix until you get an icing that is thick but can be smeared easily.
    • Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting - Use our Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting recipe, or simply add ½ cup of creamy peanut butter to the cream cheese and whip until smooth. Slowly mix in the powdered sugar.

    Equipment

    Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Good equipment makes any baking or cooking task so much more enjoyable. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this recipe.

    • KitchenAid Hand Mixer
    • KitchenAid Stand Mixer

    Storage

    Store excess frosting in a covered container and keep refrigerated for easily up to a week.

    Tips for Success

    • Bring cream cheese to room temperature before mixing with powdered sugar.
    • Sifting powdered sugar ensures there are no lumps in your frosting.
    • Mix on slow speed until the powdered sugar is mixed in, then increase to whip fluffy. This will prevent scattering powdered sugar everywhere.
    • You can also set the mixing bowl inside one of your sink compartments. Turn the faucet to the other compartment, and then mix ingredients. I love how any mess is contained right in the sink compartment!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can you freeze cream cheese frosting?

    Yes! Store it in serving size containers and freeze for up to 3 months.

    Is there a difference between cream cheese icing and cream cheese frosting?

    Frosting is thick and fluffy, and is used to coat the outside (and often the inner layers) of a cake. Icing is thinner and glossier than frosting, and can be used as a glaze, as in cinnamon rolls.

    Does cream cheese frosting hold up better than buttercream?

    While cream cheese frosting is not quite as stable as Swiss meringue buttercream or American-style buttercream, it holds up better in warmer months simply because cream cheese has a higher melt point than butter does.

    Can I use fat free cream cheese?

    No, always use full fat cream cheese when making a no butter cream cheese frosting. You need the fat to help set the powdered sugar and prevent having a runny frosting.

    Can I color cream cheese frosting without butter?

    Yes, but use the thick gel colorants so your frosting does not thin out.

    Food Safety

    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
    • Wash hands after touching raw meat
    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended
    • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

    Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love

    • Lemon zest garnished Lemon thumbprint cookies.
      Lemon Curd Thumbprint Cookies
    • cut square of coconut pecan topped Tornado cake.
      Texas Tornado Cake
    • mini Lamington squares coated in chopped peanuts to make Blarney stone
      Blarney Stones
    • baked peanut butter cookies.
      Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies

    Connect with Smells Like Delish!

    Be sure to follow us on our social media accounts.

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • Yummly
    • YouTube

    📖 Recipe

    cream cheese frosting with no butter.
    Print Recipe SaveSaved!
    5 from 2 votes

    Cream Cheese Frosting Without Butter

    Perfect for adding onto cupcakes, cakes or cookies, this cream cheese frosting without butter is so delicious that you won’t believe it contains no butter!
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time0 mins
    Total Time10 mins
    Course: Desserts
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 24 cupcakes or brownies
    Calories: 121kcal
    Author: Kelly Bloom

    Equipment

    • Kitchenaid Handmixer
    • KitchenAid Stand Mixer with 3.5 quart bowl

    Ingredients

    • 8 oz cream cheese room temperature
    • 4½ cups Powdered sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • You will start with allowing your cream cheese to come to room temperature. This will make is much easier to whip your cream cheese frosting to a light and fluffy mixture
    • Add the room temperature cream cheese to a large mixing bowl.
      8 oz cream cheese
    • Add ½ of the powdered sugar. Mix on slow (so you don't send powdered sugar everywhere) until the cream cheese and powdered sugar are incorporated.
      PRO TIP: If using a hand mixer, you can set your mixing bowl in a sink compartment and mix there. This contains any mess to the sink! Just turn the faucet to the other sink compartment.
      4½ cups Powdered sugar
    • Add the vanilla extract and mix in.
      1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • Add the remaining powdered sugar and again, mix on slow until the powdered sugar is mixed in.
    • Increase the speed of your mixer, and beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar mixture until it becomes creamy, smooth, and fluffy.
    • Frost your cookies, bars, cake, etc now, or fill a piping bag if you are piping frosting on your baked good!
      PRO TIP: For firmer frosting, refrigerate for about 20 minutes. This will allow your piped decorations to have sharper lines.

    Notes

    • Bring cream cheese to room temperature before mixing with powdered sugar.
    • Mix on slow speed until the powdered sugar is mixed in, then increase to whip fluffy. This will prevent scattering powdered sugar everywhere.
    • You can also set the mixing bowl inside one of your sink compartments. Turn the faucet to the other compartment, and then mix ingredients. I love how any mess is contained right in the sink compartment!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 121kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 30mg | Potassium: 13mg | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 127IU | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.02mg
    Keyword : cream cheese frosting no butter, cream cheese frosting recipe no butter, cream cheese frosting without butter, cream cheese icing no butter, no butter cream cheese frosting

    Like this recipe? Be sure to share it, pin it, or add it to your collection!

    • Facebook
    • Yummly
    • Email
    • Twitter

    More Ice Creams, Candy, Puddings, and other Desserts

    • princess tiana's beignets covered with powdered sugar on a serving plate.
      Princess Tiana’s Beignets
    • cut strawberry filled donuts.
      Fat Tuesday Paczki - (Polish Donuts)
    • powdered sugar dusted croffles on a serving platter.
      Croffles (Croissant Waffles)
    • platter of peanut butter brownies.
      Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Author photo for Kelly Bloom

    Hi, I'm Kelly! and I have a love affair with herbs & spices! Here at Smells Like Delish, I'm all about creating food that has three aspects: flavor, aroma, and texture - to create satisfying fare!

    More about me →

    Newest Recipes

    • jumbo gluten-free chocolate chip muffins on a cooling rack.
      Bakery Style Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Muffins
    • air fryer frozen french toast sticks.
      Air Fryer Frozen French Toast Sticks
    • replicated Longhorn Rice Pilaf in a serving bowl.
      Longhorn Rice Pilaf
    • platter of roasted asparagus garnished with cheese and lemon.
      Air Fryer Frozen Asparagus
    recipe newsletter

    Diet Friendly Recipes

    • serving dish with blackened mahi mahi and lemon wedges with tartar sauce in a bowl.
      Blackened Mahi Mahi
    • plate of cajun chicken and shrimp pasta.
      Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Pasta
    • baked branzino glazed with miso sauce on a serving platter with lemon wedges.
      Miso Baked Branzino
    • serving platter of tri color carrots garnished with herbs, olive oil, and lemon.
      Roasted Rainbow Carrots

    Asian Inspirations

    • beef & broccoli stir fry in a skillet.
      Panda Express Beef and Broccoli
    • platter of thai chicken cashew on rice.
      Thai Cashew Chicken
    • teriyaki salmon steaks garnished with sesame seeds and thai basil leaves.
      Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon
    • Pink steamed mantou buns shaped like rose buds.
      Steamed Mantou Buns

    Recommended

    • del frisco's butter cake with ice cream, caramel sauce, and whip cream.
      Del Frisco's Butter Cake
    • serving bowl of mashed potatoes garnished with butter & parsley.
      Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes
    • A corn muffin with the wrapper removed.
      Cracker Barrel Cornbread Recipe
    • small plate with cut pork lumpia and a small bowl of dipping sauce nearby
      Traditional Pork Lumpia
    • close up of serving bowl with black beans, tostones, cilantro.
      Instant Pot Cuban Black Beans
    • close up of white serving platter with three grilled pork chops and a green napkin on a white background
      Pan Grilled Steakhouse Pork Chops

    International Favorites

    • air fried samosa appetizers with dip.
      Air Fryer Frozen Samosa
    • Fried Sweet Plantains in a serving dish.
      Fried Sweet Plantains (Platanos Maduros)
    • Bowl of Chimichurri rice.
      Chimichurri Rice
    • ghana meat pies on a platter.
      Ghanaian Meat Pie

    Footer

    ↑ back to top
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Contact
    • About
    • Amazon Store
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • Youtube
    • LinkedIn

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Smells Like Delish