Cream Cheese Frosting

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This is simple cream cheese frosting that's versatile and delicious. Use it on cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and cinnamon rolls! As a bonus, it can be made with or without butter!

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In this post, I'm sharing my go-to simple cream cheese frosting recipe, as well as all my tips and tricks for thickening frosting, making it without butter, and answering other FAQs about cream cheese frosting.

Nothing beats silky, sweet cream cheese frosting swirled on top of spice cakes, chocolate layer cake, or even warm cinnamon rolls. 

Many people turn to store-bought cream cheese frosting, not realizing how quick and easy it is to make at home. Plus, you can make a big batch of frosting and freeze it for later!

Jump to:

• Recipe Ingredients
• How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting
• How to Store Cream Cheese Frosting
• Can You Freeze Cream Cheese Frosting?
• Using This Recipe for Different Sized Cakes
• FAQs
• Uses for Cream Cheese Frosting
• More Homemade Frosting Recipes
• Simple Cream Cheese Frosting

Recipe Ingredients

To make this simple cream cheese frosting, I use a combination of butter and cream cheese mixed with vanilla and confectioners' sugar to make a really versatile, tangy frosting. 

I use unsalted butter, so a pinch of salt (optional) doesn't hurt either. 

Keep reading to learn more about why I recommend using unsalted butter when making frosting!

Should I Use Salted or Unsalted Butter for Frosting?

Salted butter is so delicious, especially spread on your bread. But really it should stop there!

Unsalted butter allows you to control the salt content of a dish as well as guarantees freshness.

A few more reasons to avoid salted butter in frostings include:

Salt is a preservative — It is added to butter to prolong its shelf life. I know when I buy unsalted butter that it hasn't been sitting there as long. 

Too much salt impacts the flavor — Salt is a flavor enhancing seasoning! However, too much of a good thing is, well, too much! For cream cheese frosting, I want a sweet, perfectly flavored topping. I like to control that by adding my own salt, or not!

Can Salted Butter Be Used in Frosting?

Yes, however you'll need to omit the pinch of salt called for in the recipe. And know that your homemade cream cheese frosting will just be a tad bit saltier than the originally tested recipe. 

Can I Make Cream Cheese Frosting Without Butter?

Yes, you can make this simple cream cheese frosting with no butter. Just keep in mind that it will be a denser, softer icing.

While butter certainly cuts down on the intense cream cheese flavor, it also adds aeration (air bubbles that form after whipping) that give the frosting lift and texture.

I use 2 parts cream cheese to 1 part butter so that I get the best of both worlds in this simple frosting.  Using just cream cheese could make a nice icing for cinnamon rolls.

How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting

My favorite ratio of cream cheese to butter is 2 to 1. I use 8 ounces of cream cheese (1 block) and 4 ounces (1 stick) of unsalted butter. 

I think this ratio gives the silky, rich flavor of butter to the frosting while packing the perfect punch of classic cream cheese flavor.

Here's an overview of how this simple cream cheese frosting comes together:

1. Beat the cream cheese until smooth.
2. Add the butter and beat until smooth and incorporated.
3. Add the vanilla and salt and stir.
4. With your mixer running on low speed, add the confectioners' sugar about ½ cup at a time. (This will ensure a smooth frosting.)

Tip: I like to use a stand mixer or a hand mixer to make simple cream cheese frosting. 

Adjusting the Thickness of the Frosting

Depending on how thick you want the frosting to be, you can add 3 to 4 cups of confectioners' sugar.

• 3 cups of confectioners' sugar creates a frosting that's a little softer and less sweet if you are into that.
• Using full 4 cups of sugar gives you a balanced frosting that's just stable enough for a layer cake 

How to Store Cream Cheese Frosting

Homemade cream cheese frosting can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days. If the frosting is too stiff to immediately spread onto cakes or cookies, let it rest on your counter for about 5 minutes before using.

Can You Freeze Cream Cheese Frosting?

Yes! Freezing this recipe is perfectly acceptable. Store it in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 1 month.

If you have the time, thaw frozen frosting in the fridge. Otherwise, you can thaw it almost to room temperature and then beat it in the mixer again to get the texture back. 

You may need to add a little more confectioners' sugar to stabilize it as the cream cheese molecules break down slightly being frozen. 

Using This Recipe for Different Sized Cakes

This frosting recipe makes enough to frost a 9x13-inch sheet cake or 24 cupcakes (if you are piping more frosting on each cupcake, it will frost about 15 to 18). 

For a round layer cake, you may want to 1.5 times this recipe. (Use 12 oz cream cheese, 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, 6 cups confectioners' sugar and 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla.) 

FAQs

Uses for Cream Cheese Frosting

Now that you know how to make homemade cream cheese frosting, it's time to start baking! Here are some of my favorite desserts that use cream cheese frosting:

• Soft Sugar Cookie Cutouts
• Easter Bunny Cupcakes
• Christmas Tree Cookies
• Classic Gingerbread Cookies
• Homemade Spice Cake

More Homemade Frosting Recipes

• Classic Vanilla Frosting
• Fluffy Chocolate Frosting
• The Best Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
• Whipped Peanut Butter Frosting
• How to Make Caramel Frosting

Cake recipes for any occasion

Recipe by Tara Teaspoon. Photography by Ty Mecham.