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    Home » Recipes » Frosting Recipes

    Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

    Published: Jan 8, 2023 by Chef Dennis Littley

    36 shares
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    • Yummly
    5 from 30 votes
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    pinterest image for cream cheese frosting

    My homemade Cream Cheese Frosting is sweet and tangy, thick and creamy. It’s the perfect sweet frosting for carrot cake, spice cake, cupcakes, or your favorite cake. Made using 4 simple ingredients and taking less than ten minutes to make, I will admit that this is my all-time favorite frosting.

    slice of hummingbird cake on a plate with a fork

    This easy recipe is what I used to frost my Hummingbird cake.

    Sweet, creamy and delicious after one taste, I know you’ll agree this is the Best Cream Cheese Frosting recipe.

    Ingredients to make Cream Cheese Frosting

    ingredients to make recipe

    Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make my Classic Cream Cheese Frosting. In Chef Speak, this is called the “Mise en Place,” which translates to “Everything in its Place.”

    Not only does setting up your ingredients ahead of time speed up the cooking process, it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

    Four Simple Ingredients

    • cream cheese
    • unsalted butter
    • confectioners sugar (aka powdered sugar and 10X sugar)
    • vanilla extract

    This recipe will make enough frosting for a three-layer cake. Refrigerate any leftover frosting in an airtight container.

    How to make Cream Cheese Frosting

    butter and cream cheese in a glass bowl

    Add the cream cheese and butter to a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer.

    *Cream cheese is the regular 8-ounce block. Do not use whipped cream cheese.

    whipping butter and cream cheese with an electric hand mixer

    Whip the cream cheese and butter (starting low and increasing speed) until fluffy, 4-5 minutes. Scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl as needed during the whipping process.

    The butter and cream cheese should be at room temperature but not too soft. You should be able to push your finger and make an indent but not be able to push straight through the butter.

    add powdered sugar to mixture

    Add the vanilla and powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture.

    cream cheese frosting in a glass bowl

    Mix the frosting on low speed until well blended. But be careful not to overmix the frosting.

    The frosting should be creamy and spreadable. If the frosting is too loose, add a little bit of powdered sugar to the frosting. If the frosting is too thick, add a little milk to the frosting until you have the desired consistency.

    collage of images showing how to assemble cake

    It’s the perfect compliment for your favorite layer cake. This is my go-to frosting for my carrot cake, red velvet cake, Guinness chocolate cake, and pumpkin cake.

    Overhead view of Hummingbird cake sliced

    My frosting can be made with less sugar if you like it less sweet, and cocoa powder can be added to make chocolate cream cheese frosting.

    Recipe FAQ’s

    Does a cake with cream cheese frosting need to be refrigerated?

    Yes, it does. Any cakes or cupcakes using it should be refrigerated when not being served.
    Cream cheese frosted cakes should not be left unrefrigerated overnight.

    Can cream cheese frosting be frozen?

    Yes, the frosting can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. Let the frosting defrost overnight in the refrigerator and re-whip the frosting before using

    More Recipes You’ll Love!

    • Hummingbird Cake Recipe
    • Original Pumpkin Crunch Cake
    • Best Carrot Cake Recipe
    • Four Layer Banana Crunch Cake Recipe

    Did you make this? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

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    cream cheese frosting in a glass bowl
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    5 from 30 votes

    Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

    My Cream Cheese Frosting made with 4 ingredients is sweet, tangy, thick and creamy. The perfect frosting for your favorite cakes and cupcakes
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time0 mins
    Total Time10 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 24
    Calories: 208kcal
    Author: Chef Dennis Littley

    Ingredients

    • 8 oz butter slightly softened
    • 16 oz cream cheese softened blocks –Don't use whipped cream cheese
    • 1 tsp vanilla
    • 1 lb powdered sugar
    US Customary – Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Add the cream cheese and butter to a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer.
      *Cream cheese is the regular 8-ounce block. Do not use whipped cream cheese
    • Whip the cream cheese and butter (starting low and increasing speed) until fluffy, 4-5 minutes. Scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl as needed during the whipping process.
      The butter and cream cheese should be at room temperature but not too soft. You should be able to push your finger and make an indent but not be able to push straight through the butter.
    • Add the vanilla and powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture
    • Mix the frosting on low speed until well blended. But be careful not to overmix the frosting.

    Notes

    The frosting should be creamy and spreadable.
    If the frosting is too loose, add a little more powdered sugar to the frosting. If the frosting is too thick, add a little milk to the frosting until you have the desired consistency.
    Can I make the frosting ahead of time?
    *If you’re not using the frosting right away, refrigerate the frosting until needed.  When ready to use the frosting, re-whip the frosting with your electric mixer until it’s spreadable.
     
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 208kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 61mg | Potassium: 28mg | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 490IU | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 0.03mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askChefDennis or tag #askChefDennis!

    More Frosting Recipes

    About Chef Dennis

    Picture of Chef Dennis

    Chef Dennis is a semi-retired Chef, writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of A Culinary Journey with Chef Dennis aka Ask Chef Dennis®. Chef Dennis worked professionally in White Table Cloth Restaurants for 40 years and has been developing easy to make, restaurant-style recipes since 2009. The second phase of his reinvention from chef to blogger has earned him a place at the Worlds Dinner Table. Join him on his Culinary Journey enjoying his easy to make Restaurant Style recipes and travel adventures. For more details, check out his About page.

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    My name is Dennis Littley or "Chef Dennis" as I'm known both at work and across the blogosphere. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

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