Yield:

2 cups

All you need are four ingredients for this delicious cream cheese frosting and about 10 minutes. It's a quick and easy recipe that's our go to. It starts with a package of cream cheese and adds in butter, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla extract. We use equal parts butter and cream cheese, plus enough confectioners' sugar to sweeten them into a whipped frosting. The cream cheese is a shortcut to creaminess and adds a delicate tang to balance the sweetness of the frosting. This smooth frosting works so well on red velvet cake, carrot cake, pumpkin cake, and all kinds of cupcakes.

Room Temperature Ingredients

The key to cream cheese frosting is the cream cheese. Be sure to use a good quality block cream cheese. The other important factor is the temperature of the ingredients. Let the cream cheese and the butter come to room temperature before you start mixing them together—allow about 30 minutes for this. You'll know when they are ready by testing for softness: Press your finger into the butter and the side of the cream cheese package. Your finger should leave an indent.

Mixing the Frosting

Our easy recipe is written for mixing the frosting by hand. Feel free to use a hand or stand mixer if you prefer, but don't overbeat the butter and cream cheese, and be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl periodically to ensure the mixture blends well.

Uses for Cream Cheese Frosting

Cream cheese frosting is a versatile, not-too-sweet frosting that works well on a variety of desserts from tall layer cakes to cupcakes and quick breads. It's particularly good with spiced cakes. Try it when you make:

Carrot Cake
Hummingbird Cake
Red Velvet Cake
Pumpkin Bars
Banana Cake or cupcakes

If there is a downside to cream cheese frosting, it's that it is softer than buttercream and so is harder to pipe. We recommend spreading it on a cake rather than piping it.

Ingredients

8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, room temperature
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

Rachel Marek

Soften cream cheese:

Place cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl. Using a rubber spatula, soften cream cheese.

Rachel Marek
Add butter:

Gradually add butter, and continue beating until smooth and well blended.

Rachel Marek
Sift confectioners' sugar and add vanilla:

Sift in confectioners' sugar, and continue beating until smooth. Add vanilla, and stir to combine.

Rachel Marek

Rachel Marek

As an alternative to sifting the confectioners' sugar, you can whisk the sugar to aerate it and remove any clumps prior to adding it to the cream cheese and butter.

Storing

Cream cheese frosting will last for two to three days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature and then beat until smooth again before using the frosting.

Freezing

You can freeze cream cheese frosting for up to one month, but we do no recommend this as freezing changes the texture and you may find the frosting is more grainy after it has been defrosted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my cream cheese frosting runny?

Using the wrong type of cream cheese is the main cause of cream cheese frosting that is runny. Be sure to use a block of full-fat cream cheese, not low fat or a whipped cream cheese spread for the frosting.

Why is my cream cheese frosting gluey?

The most common cause of cream cheese frosting with a gluey texture is overbeating the cream cheese. To avoid this issue. soften the cream cheese but do not whip it before adding the butter. Then, whip the cream cheese and butter just until smooth.

Does cream cheese frosting need to be refrigerated?

Yes, cream cheese frosting should always be refrigerated because cream cheese requires refrigeration. Cream cheese frosting should not be out of the refrigerator for more than two hours, (that time includes the time spent making the frosting).

Other Frosting Recipes to Try:

Originally appeared: Martha Stewart Living Special Issues 2001

Updated by

Victoria Spencer

Our Favorite Cream Cheese Frosting

Room Temperature Ingredients

Mixing the Frosting

Uses for Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

Directions

Soften cream cheese:

Add butter:

Sift confectioners' sugar and add vanilla:

Storing

Freezing

Frequently Asked Questions

Other Frosting Recipes to Try: