The BEST Cream cheese frosting that is smooth, creamy, and not overly sweet. This simple cream cheese frosting is so quick to make! Throw out all your other cream cheese frosting recipes because now you have the BEST Cream Cheese Frosting recipe!
My favorite recipe to use this on is my Naked Apple Spice Cake!
If you have been following me for any length of time, you know that my weakness is frosting. I can’t be left alone with it, I can’t be trusted with it. It is my Achilles heal. This is true of my Vanilla Buttercream Frosting and my Chocolate Frosting and it is most definitely true of this cream cheese frosting. If you just look at the reviews on this recipe you’ll be able to see how loved it is.
Why this Cream Cheese Frosting is the Best
I’m sure you realize there are about a million cream cheese frosting recipes out there. But I promise you this one is the best for a couple reasons.
- It’s not too sweet.
- The cream cheese flavor isn’t lost in the mix with the other ingredients.
- It is perfectly smooth and never lumpy.
How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting
- Once your butter and cream cheese are at room temperature, cream them together. Pause, scrape down the sides of your mixing bowl, and cream some more. While I love using a stand mixer, you can certainly use a hand held mixer.
- Add in your powdered sugar. Some swear by sifting their powdered sugar to make sure it is perfectly smooth. I find it is plenty smooth without doing that.
- Finally, you add your vanilla extract. If you are looking to keep your frosting perfectly white, there is clear artificial vanilla flavor that you can use. I stick with pure vanilla extract.
Tips and Tricks
- Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature. This means letting it sit out at least two hours. You can speed up the process a little by cutting it up in pieces on a plate, but you really want it to be nice and soft, otherwise you will get chunks of cream cheese in the frosting. Do not soften it in the microwave.
- Make sure that the butter is also at room temperature. You can speed it up by cutting it into one inch pieces and setting it out on a plate on the counter. Do not soften it in the microwave.
- For this cream cheese frosting recipe, you want to gently pour the powdered sugar into the measuring cups. Or spoon it in and level it off. If you scoop it up with the measuring cup and pack it in, you will have significantly more powdered sugar than the recipe calls for. That might not be a bad thing, but it won’t be this recipe.
- The recipe says 1 to 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Most of the time I have used this recipe I have used 1 1/2 tsps, but I really like it at 2 teaspoons. As you are making it, add one teaspoon first, taste it and then decide if you want more.
Can you Pipe this Cream Cheese Frosting?
You can pipe it loosely as seen on the cupcakes below. If you are looking for intricate detail you will want to add more powdered sugar which will change the sweetness and taste of this recipe.
Can it be Colored?
Yes! It would be easy to add coloring to this recipe. Just beat it in after you beat in the vanilla extract.
You could even beat in some other flavors or extracts and experiment with it.
Will this Frosting Harden?
It won’t set up the same way my vanilla frosting does. If you put it in the refrigerator after making it, it will become thicker and harder, but still not thick enough to frost and stack cookies.
How Many Cupcakes does this Recipe Frost?
If you are going to use two tablespoons of frosting on your cupcakes, which is a solid amount, you can frost 16 cupcakes with this recipe. If you only use a tablespoon and a half (still a great amount) you can frost 24 cupcakes. I don’t expect you to measure out frosting as you frost cupcakes. ???? Basically, if you go easy, you can frost a full two dozen.
This is a great recipe to double for large cakes.
Does this Need to be Refrigerated?
Yes! Definitely refrigerate it since you are working with both cream cheese and butter.
I don’t personally love refrigerated cupcakes, so I would make this frosting ahead, store it in the refrigerator, and then frost the cupcakes prior to serving them.
What is it Good On?
Ummm, everything? A spoon? Or, if you are going to be picky here are some great recipes to use it on:
- Red Velvet Bars
- Caramel Zucchini Poke Cake
- Chocolate Zucchini Cake
- Naked Apple Spice Cake
- Zucchini Cupcakes
- Carrot Cake
The BEST Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese I always use Philadelphia, room temperature
- 4 TBSPs unsalted butter room temperature
- 2 cups powdered sugar not packed
- 1 to 2 tsps pure vanilla extract see note
Instructions
- Cream together the cream cheese and the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time. Then add in the vanilla extract.
- This recipe is enough to spread on two dozen cupcakes or cookies. If you would like to pipe it as seen in the pictures, I suggest you double it.
Notes
Allison Wooten says
IF i am making a 2layer 8in round red velvet cake should I double the receipe????
Yes! I would!
Viola Lockett says
Can I use the Best Cream Cheese Frosting for a 3-layerd cake?
Yes, but you will need to double the recipe.
Melissa says
I always add a splash of a good smokey whiskey to my cream cheese frosting.
Pam says
Great recipe. Not too sweet. I forgot the vanilla extract but it still tasted great. Can you freeze it?
I have not tried freezing this one.
Rona says
How do I make cream cheese icing chocolate,coco if so how much.
I’m sorry, I haven’t tried making this recipe chocolate.
Julie proulx says
I have tried so many of your recipes and I have to say, I have not been let down whatsoever. I love everything I’ve tried and will continue to follow 😁
I’m so happy to hear this! It makes my day!
Beverly says
Receipies look so good.
KAREN says
I’m so tired of having to read all the junk before I can find the amounts of the products to use.
By the time I make my way through all the unnecessary comments / stories you have to put on your recipe , blah blah.
Only to discover I don’t have all the ingredients it’s frustrating
Besides that Pinterest than bombards my home page full of recipes or products I have no desire to make or buy.
I will go back to the regular old fashion recipe sites
Pinterest has become a waste of time
I’m sorry I dumped on you all my anger with P
I have zero control over Pinterest, but I do have a jump to the recipe card at the top of each post, bringing you to the very free recipe you are looking for.
Mary says
I’ve made it and it is FANTASTIC.. I did however added literally 2 -3 drops of * McCormick Butter extract as well.. just enough butter flavor (muah👌🫢)
I’m glad you liked it!
Dana says
Loved this recipe! Very delicious, quick and easy. Used it to top a zucchini carrot cake. Will use again.
I’m so glad you liked it!