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5 from 1 vote

Best Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

This classic Whipped Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting recipe is smooth and creamy, super simple, and can be turned into all kinds of yummy flavors.  Use to frost your favorite layer cakes, sheet cakes and cupcakes.
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 289kcal
Author: The Carefree Kitchen

Ingredients

  • ½ cup Butter room temperature
  • 8 oz Cream Cheese room temperature
  • 4 cups Powdered Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the butter and beat with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy, or about 2-3 minutes.  Add the room temperature cream cheese and beat again until light and fluffy, or about 2 minutes more. 
  • Add the powdered sugar and vanilla and mix on low until fully incorporated, then beat on high for about 30 seconds until it is light and fluffy again. 
  • Use immediately, or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Enjoy!

Notes

Cream cheese frosting is a delicious and versatile topping that can be used on a variety of desserts, including cakes, cupcakes, and cookies. Here are some tasty recipe variations you can try:
  1. Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting: Add 1-2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice and 1-2 teaspoons of grated lemon zest to your cream cheese frosting for a zesty, tangy twist.
  2. Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting: Mix in ¼ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder to your cream cheese frosting for a rich, chocolatey flavor.
  3. Maple Cream Cheese Frosting: Replace some of the powdered sugar in your cream cheese frosting with maple syrup for a sweet and nutty flavor.
  4. Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting: Mix in 1-2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon to your cream cheese frosting for a warm and cozy taste.
  5. Berry Cream Cheese Frosting: Add ½ cup of fresh or frozen berries (such as raspberries or strawberries) to your cream cheese frosting and blend until smooth for a fruity flavor.
  6. Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting: Mix in ¼ cup of caramel sauce and a pinch of sea salt to your cream cheese frosting for a sweet and salty twist.
  7. Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Frosting: Mix in 1-2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice and ¼ cup of pumpkin puree to your cream cheese frosting for a fall-inspired flavor.
Experiment with these variations and see which ones you like best. You can also adjust the sweetness and thickness of your frosting by adding more or less powdered sugar or adjusting the amount of cream cheese used.

Nutrition

Calories: 289kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 129mg | Potassium: 30mg | Sugar: 40g | Vitamin A: 490IU | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg