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Easy Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

5 from 139 reviews

Smooth, creamy, and perfectly balanced, this easy cream cheese frosting recipe is soft yet firm enough to frost layer cakes, cupcakes, and a variety of desserts. Made with full-fat cream cheese, unsalted butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract, it creates a luscious, silky frosting ideal for classic favorites like carrot cake and red velvet cupcakes.

Ingredients

Scale

Frosting Ingredients

  • 300 g (10.5 oz) full-fat brick-style cream cheese, cold
  • 210 g (¾ cup + 3 tbsp) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
  • 400 to 450 g (3 ¼ to 3 ½ cups) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 ½ tsp pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Combine Ingredients: Place the cold cream cheese, softened butter, sifted powdered sugar, and pure vanilla extract into a large mixing bowl.
  2. Beat the Mixture: Using an electric mixer, beat the ingredients together for approximately one minute until the mixture becomes smooth, creamy, and slightly thickened.
  3. Adjust Consistency: If the frosting is too thick, add a splash of milk or cream to soften it; if too thin, add more powdered sugar gradually until the desired firmness is reached.
  4. Chill if Needed: Chill the frosting in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes to help it thicken and become silky and pipeable, perfect for decorating with piping bags or smoothing with an offset spatula.
  5. Apply the Frosting: Use immediately to frost cakes, cupcakes, brownies, cookies, or other desserts. For best results, re-whip if frosting has been chilled or stored.

Notes

  • Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
  • Always use full-fat brick-style cream cheese, not low-fat or spreadable tub versions, for best texture and flavor.
  • Room temperature butter and cold cream cheese yield the smoothest, most stable frosting.
  • Sift powdered sugar to avoid lumpy frosting.
  • Do not overbeat to prevent the frosting from becoming too soft.
  • Add lemon zest, maple syrup, cocoa powder, or berry compote to customize flavors.
  • Bring refrigerated frosting to room temperature and re-whip before using after storage.

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