Did you know that cream cheese frosting is incredibly easy to make? In just a few simple steps, you can have a delicious and creamy frosting to top your cakes and cupcakes with. Plus, it's a lot more affordable than buying pre-made frosting from the store.
You will use this for our Red Velvet Bundt Cake, Tik Tok Cinnamon Rolls, and our Mummy Brownies. Thin it down more and it is perfect for icing cookies and quick bread loaves.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This basic cream cheese frosting recipe is quick and easy to make. It takes so much better than the tubs of pre made frosting.
You have a lot of flexibility using this recipe because with a simple adjustment of the amount of liquid (heavy cream, lemon juice, or water) you can change the flow and thickness. Frost cakes and cookies, ice or glaze quick breads and rolls.
With a few simple substitutions you can have Almond, Chocolate, and even Peanut Butter Cream Cheese frosting.
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Ingredients
You will need room temperature butter and cream cheese. This is the critical 'secret' to making perfect textured frosting. Clear vanilla extract will also keep your frosting whiter than if you used the brown vanilla. Try Almond extract also, as it is naturally clear.
- Cream Cheese - softened
- Butter - softened
- Powdered Sugar - sift it to ensure lumps don't clog piping tips, if you are using them.
- Vanilla extract - use the clear vanilla extract so that the frosting stays as white as possible.
- Heavy Cream - you will use more or less to change the consistency of this frosting from super thick for cakes and cupcakes, to thinner for glazing and cookie flow work.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting
Use a medium large size mixing bowl, so the frosting ingredients don't spatter about when mixing. I set my bowl in an empty sink, moving the faucet to the other side. This lets you mix with the hand mixer and cream the frosting ingredients really well with any mess contained right in the sink.
Step 1. Cream the Butter & Cream Cheese
Cream the butter and cream cheese until fluffy.
Add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, blending well.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 2. Add the Powdered Sugar
After adding in all the powdered sugar, add the vanilla extract.
Add the heavy cream and mix whip in. If you need a thinner consistency, add cream 1 tablespoon at a time.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Serving Suggestions
Use this easy cream cheese frosting thick for cupcakes and cakes. Thin it down with an extra tablespoon of cream for things like bundt cakes (so you get the drip flows) and cinnamon rolls.
You will need to add a little cream at a time to thin it down to the piping consistency you like to work with for piping borders on cookies, and for cookie flow work.
This is the frosting recipe we use for our Red Velvet Bundt Cake, our Mummy Brownies, and our Tik Tok Cinnamon Rolls.
Substitutions
Try using Almond extract instead of the vanilla extract, especially if you don't have the clear vanilla extract. Other flavors extracts are fine also, as are food color drops to change the color.
Variations
This basic cream cheese frosting recipe give you a starting point for icing all sorts of baked goods. From Red Velvet cake, cupcakes, and cookies, to piping thin borders and filling in with flow work. You can change the flavors using cocoa powder, almond extract, and even peanut butter!
- Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting - Substitute the butter with peanut butter for a terrific Peanut Butter frosting for cupcakes and cakes.
- Cinnabon Cream Cheese Frosting - Thin this basic cream cheese frosting with an extra tablespoon or two of cream so that it is slightly softer. Frost your cinnamon rolls in two steps. A first LIGHT glazing when hot, then a thicker coating when they are just barely warm. This will keep them moist.
- Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting - Add ¼ cup of sifted, unsweetened cocoa powder to your powdered sugar. Sift if to get the cocoa powder lumps out. If you don't, the tiny balls of cocoa will clog the piping tip.
Equipment
Having the right equipment makes baking SO much easier, and much more fun. Get good quality mixing bowls, measuring cups, and measuring spoons.
Storage
Store any unused frosting in an airtight container; refrigerate and use within 5 days. Please bring it to room temp and give it a good stir before using.
Tips for Success
- The secret to making perfect cream cheese icing is to let the butter and cream cheese come to room temperature before you start mixing them together.
- This basic recipe will be used as is for cakes and cupcakes.
- Thin it for piping for cookies and for flow work.
Frequently Asked Questions
On a cake on the counter cream cheese frosting is safe to eat for up to 3 days. Refrigerated, up to 7 days.
Yes, place the remaining cream cheese frosting in a tub, or place the piping bags with frosting in them in a ziplock bag. Freeze up to 3 months. Bring to room temperature before using.
Frosting is thick and can be spread about thickly. Icing tends to flow due to more liquid added, and is more sheer when it sets up.
Slowly add a little more powdered sugar, mixing it with the mixer to ensure it is smooth.
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.
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📖 Recipe
Easy Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 8 oz cream cheese room temperature
- 4 oz butter 1 stick, softened
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon heavy cream
Instructions
- Mix the cream cheese and butter together until smooth.1 8 oz cream cheese, 4 oz butter
- Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing well in between additions. Mix until smooth.3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- Add the vanilla extract and mix well. Frosting will be thick and perfect for frosting cupcakes, cakes, bundt cakes, and brownies.1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Add the heavy cream to change the consistency to make a thinner frosting for piping on cookies, glazing cinnamon rolls, or glaze for quick breads.2 tablespoon heavy cream
Notes
- The secret to making perfect cream cheese icing is to let the butter and cream cheese come to room temperature before you start mixing them together.
- This basic recipe will be used as is for cakes and cupcakes.
- Thin it for piping for cookies and for flow work.
- Store any unused frosting in an airtight container; refrigerate and use within 5 days. Please bring it to room temp and give it a good stir before using.
Nutrition
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