Light and fluffy cream cheese frosting is the perfect icing on any dessert!
Cream cheese and butter are sweetened with powdered sugar and vanilla for a rich frosting.
Spread it over cakes, muffins, and other baked goodies.
Our Favorite Frosting
This homemade cream cheese frosting recipe is delicious over carrot cake or cinnamon rolls.
- Easy peasy – it takes just a few minutes to make.
- Cream cheese frosting is made with basic ingredients you likely have on hand.
- Make it ahead. It will stay fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator, or 2 months in the freezer.
Ingredients for Cream Cheese Frosting
Cream Cheese – Use any brand of full-fat cream cheese in the block form, not spreadable cream cheese in tubs. Reduced-fat cream cheese is not recommended as it can produce a runny frosting.
Butter – For baking and sweet recipes, I prefer to use unsalted sticks of butter and add a pinch of salt. If you do have salted butter, it will still work – skip the salt in the recipe.
Vanilla – Although it’s a bit pricey, real vanilla extract gives the best flavor. Imitation vanilla extract does work if it’s what you have on hand.
Powdered sugar – Also known as confectioners sugar, powdered sugar contains a little cornstarch to prevent caking and makes for a smooth frosting.
If you’re out of powdered sugar, you can make your own with granulated sugar. In a blender or food processor, blend a ratio of 1 cup of granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch on high until it is fluffy and powdered. Measure the sugar for your recipe after it is powdered.
Variations – Add or substitute lemon juice and zest for the vanilla to give your frosting more tang. For a runnier icing, add a few drops of water.
How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting
This is an easy recipe that comes together in minutes!
- Using a hand mixer, combine room-temperature cream cheese and butter, per the recipe below.
- Mix in the vanilla and salt.
- Add the sugar a little at a time, scraping the sides of the bowl as you mix until fluffy. Do not over-mix.
Use immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Holly’s Tips
- Use room temperature cream cheese and butter.
- Freeze for up to 3 months in a zippered bag with the air pressed out. Thaw to room temperature before using.
- To change the consistency for drizzling, add water, a few drops at a time, while mixing.
Our Favorite Frostings
These frosting recipes are perfect to top a cupcake, cookies or your favorite layered cake!
Did you make this Cream Cheese Frosting? Leave us a rating and a comment below!