Indulge in the tangy delight of our best cream cheese frosting recipe. Its smooth texture and perfect sweetness will take your treats to a whole new level. Say goodbye to boring store-bought frosting and embrace the homemade goodness that our recipe brings; it’ll elevate your frosted desserts to a new level. Get ready to wow your family and friends with the best cream cheese frosting they’ve ever tasted!

A bowl of homemade cream cheese frosting, with a daisy in the foreground.

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Why you’ll love this recipe

Fresher and tastier than store-bought, this easy classic cream cheese frosting recipe is so simple to make you’ll never buy it again.
Made with simple ingredients, this great recipe is easy and cost effective.
It’s so versatile; use it on Cinnamon Rolls, Red Velvet Cake, Carrot cake, or as an additional topping for a delicious cheesecake.
You can play with the flavors, add a little zing with lemon zest or orange zest, or strawberry flavor for strawberry cupcakes; it’s fun creating different variations of the classic easy recipe.

Ingredients you’ll need

You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.

Ingredients needed; confectioners sugar, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and butter.

How to make cream cheese frosting with step-by-step instructions

A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.

In a large bowl, using either a stand mixer or electric hand mixer on low speed, beat unsalted butter and full-fat cream cheese until smooth, then add confectioners sugar and vanilla extract, and, using an electric mixer, mix on medium speed until creamy and smooth.

Butter and cream cheese in a mixing bowl. — Add softened cream cheese and butter to a mixing bowl.

Confectioners sugar added to the bowl and someone pouring in vanilla extract. — Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract.

Mixed cream cheese frosting in a mixing bowl. — Mix until smooth and creamy.

Place the cheese frosting in the fridge to keep it cool until you’re ready to use your homemade frosting. Enjoy!

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Recipe notes and expert tips

Full fat; Use full fat, not low fat, whipped cream cheese or spreadable cream cheese; it needs to be the block cheese, or your frosting will become runny.
Soften the cream cheese; leave the cream cheese package at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes; you should be able to press your finger into the side when it’s soft enough.
If your frosting becomes runny, add more powdered sugar, a little at a time, until it thickens to your desired consistency.
Spread the frosting or use a piping bag to ensure you get just the right amount in the right place.
Boost the vanilla flavor by scraping the seeds of a vanilla bean and adding it to the cream cheese frosting.
Add cocoa powder and you have a chocolate cream cheese frosting.
Confectioners or powdered sugar is the same as icing sugar.

Crema cheese frosting in a serving bowl.

How to store leftover frosting

Our delicious cream cheese frosting can be left at room temperature for a day; however, if your kitchen is really warm, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week covered in plastic wrap.

When you are ready to use it, leave it to reach room temperature and soften; usually, you can leave it out for 30 minutes, and it’ll be ready to use.

You can freeze cream cheese frosting for up to 2 months, so why not make up a double batch for the next time you need it?

What to use cream cheese frosting with

This best cream cheese frosting recipe is slightly thicker than cream cheese icing and is so versatile.

There are lots of ways that you can use cream cheese frosting; use it with delicious carrot cake or use it as a tasty topping for pumpkin cake, pumpkin bars, or red velvet cupcakes.

Make it a tasty layer cake filling on an epic red velvet cake, chocolate cake, or your favorite cake recipe, or drizzle it over air fryer cinnamon rolls.

I’ve even been known to grab a pack of Graham crackers and just spreading it on top of them for an oh-so-easy sweet treat.

Daisy lay next to a bowl of freshly made cream cheese frosting.

Can I add cornstarch to my cream cheese frosting?

It’s better not to use cornstarch in cream cheese frosting. The reason you may think you’d like to add it is to have thicker frosting; this can be achieved by adding powdered sugar, a little at a time.

Which is better, cream cheese frosting or buttercream?

This is one of those times when I have to say ‘it depends’; ultimately, the “better” frosting depends on what you prefer and what works best for the specific dessert you’re making.

If you prefer a tangy and creamy flavor, cream cheese frosting might be your top choice. On the other hand, if you enjoy a rich buttery taste, buttercream frosting might be more appealing to you. Some people even enjoy a combination of both, using each frosting to create unique and delightful desserts.

Why not have a go at experimenting with both options? This will help you discover which one you prefer for different occasions and treats.

A serving bowl with cream cheese frosting swirled in it.

More easy dessert recipes for you to try at home

If you love homemade desserts, then why not give these a try?

A bowl of freshly made delicious homemade cream cheese frosting.

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