Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

What You’ll Love About This Recipe

This creamy, dreamy frosting is a total game changer for your baked treats. It’s quick to make, uses simple ingredients, and tastes like a little slice of heaven.

• Perfectly smooth texture that spreads like butter but feels luxurious on your tongue.
• Not too sweet, so it complements cakes, cupcakes, and cookies without overwhelming them.
• Super versatile – use it on red velvet cakes, cinnamon rolls, or even as a fruit dip.

Recipe

Cream cheese frosting is a rich, creamy, and versatile topping perfect for cakes, cupcakes, and cookies.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
2. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed to avoid a mess.
3. Add the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt, then beat on medium speed until the frosting is light and fluffy.
4. Use immediately or store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Notes:

• For a thicker frosting, add more powdered sugar. For a thinner consistency, mix in a teaspoon of milk.
• Verify the cream cheese and butter are fully softened to avoid lumps.

Time:

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 0 minutes

Serving: Enough for 12 cupcakes or a 9-inch cake.

Nutrition

Cream cheese frosting is a rich and creamy topping perfect for cakes and cupcakes. Here’s a breakdown of its nutritional content per serving.

What To Serve With It

I love pairing cream cheese frosting with cupcakes—it adds a rich, tangy twist to classic vanilla or chocolate. My absolute favorite match is carrot cake, where the frosting balances the warm spices perfectly. You can’t go wrong with either choice, but I’d start with whichever sounds tastiest to you!

Cupcakes

A swirl of cream cheese frosting tastes even better when it’s piled high on something delicious—and cupcakes are the perfect match for its rich, tangy flavor. I love pairing it with classic cupcake flavors like vanilla or chocolate, but spiced pumpkin or zesty lemon work too. For frosting variations, try adding cocoa powder or a dash of cinnamon to keep things fun. Trust me, every bite’s a winner!

Carrot Cake

When you’ve got a slice of moist carrot cake in front of you, it’s tempting to dive right in, but pairing it with the right extras can take it to the next level. I love serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream—carrot history shows they’ve been sweetening desserts for centuries, and their benefits add a healthy twist. A warm chai latte? Perfect!