Creamy, fluffy and rich, this melt-in-your-mouth cream cheese frosting is perfect for piping. It has a slight tang, which makes it not overly sweet.
My favorite frosting and the one I use the most is cream cheese buttercream frosting.Β Homemade frosting is the best and it’s easy to make. I’ve tested this frosting with different amounts of butter, cream cheese, and sugar, and this recipe is perfect for piping and holds its shape well, so you can use it for cupcakes and layer cakes. Cream cheese frosting is delicious with cupcakes, cakes such as banana, carrot, or red velvet cake, and cinnamon rolls.
Use Block Cream Cheese
I use block Philadelphia cream cheese. I tried using cream cheese spread cof different brands and it didn’t work well. The frosting was too thin no matter how much sugar I added.
Sift the Sugar
For a smooth, velvety frosting, make sure you sift the sugar so it’s not lumpy and easily melts into the frosting.
Use This Frosting for:
- 8 oz. (225 g) block cream cheese (not spread), softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup (1 stick/115 g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3 cups (350 g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese and butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy, 1-2 minutes. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, and beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then on high speed for 1-2 minutes until smooth and fluffy. If you want a thicker frosting, add more powdered sugar.
- Frosting can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Before using, bring to room temperature and whisk by hand for a few seconds until satiny and smooth.
15 Comments
Miri
January 27, 2018 at 9:06 pmI love this one! It goes so well with the vanilla cupcakes!
It’s the taste I’ve always wanted to achieve π
Shiran, could you do a post on tips about frosting?
I’ve never really baked until I found your blog so I don’t know anything about it,
so when it says “desired consistency” or “thick enough to pipe” I’m actually not sure what consistency that is.
Hence the taste was always great, but it never turns out pretty because I don’t know what consistency is ideal for pretty piping!
Thank you so much!
Shiran
January 29, 2018 at 4:45 amHi Miri π I know that it can be difficult to understand sometimes. I’m in the process of doing videos to some of my recipes, so make sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram. Hopefully it would help!
Amanda
January 4, 2019 at 2:18 pmThis was a great frosting recipe! Thank you.
Kim
July 11, 2019 at 10:00 pmWhen you say powdered sugar is this icing sugar?
Shiran
July 17, 2019 at 2:53 amYes!
Jane
August 16, 2019 at 5:38 pmI used this recipe to go with your Whoopi pie, and it is now a family favourite! I used to love baking, but this recipe multiplied my love of baking by a million!
Emma
November 21, 2019 at 7:32 amHi Shiran! Thank you so much for sharing your delicious recipes. I have been struggling to find a good frosting recipe for my cupcakes and layers cakes as, despite being half french, hate the taste of buttercream. Unfortunately in Portugal we can’t find philadelphia cheese creme in block (only spread) :/ Any ideas on how I could overcome this issue? Many thanks! Xx
Shiran
November 24, 2019 at 3:14 amHi Emma! Unfortunately you need the block style cream cheese to make it work, otherwise the frosting would be too soft. You can use the Philadelphia spread for a softer version, and top the cupcakes with a thin layer. This would also work if you want to top a one-layer cake.
Donna Gentry
May 15, 2020 at 8:35 pmUsed this frosting on your vanilla cupcake recipe. I’m a home baker so always looking for new recipes. Absolutely delicious. I just added a strawberry to the top of each cupcake.
Giany
February 19, 2020 at 6:10 amGreat recipe, canβt wait to try it. Can this frosting be colored?
Shiran
March 16, 2020 at 11:58 amYes π
Hijay
June 10, 2020 at 5:12 amHi. Can I make this frosting using a hand mixer? Thanks
Shiran
June 11, 2020 at 2:01 amYes!
Diana
August 17, 2020 at 6:06 pmMy go-to recipe for cream cheese frosting. My girls compare all other frostings to this one and prefer this one to many others that they have eaten, often saying loudly at events/restaurants, βyour cream cheese frosting is so much better, Mom!β Lol
Itβs easy to make, not too sweet, and perfect for frosting cupcakes or cakes. Thank you for this delicious recipe, Shiran!
PS My older daughter also enjoys this frosting spread on her waffles with fresh blueberries.
Shiran
August 20, 2020 at 5:28 amThank you so much, Diana! I’m so glad your family loves it π