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The Ultimate Cream Cheese Frosting: Silky, Tangy, and Perfectly Sweet
Cream Cheese Frosting is a favorite among bakers. Buttercream is always a classic, but cream cheese adds a gentle tang that evens out the sweetness and gives the frosting a smooth, irresistible texture.
This recipe is simple and uses just four basic ingredients. With it, you can turn any homemade cake into something that tastes like it came from a bakery.
The Secret to the Perfect Texture
The most common problem with cream cheese frosting is that it can turn out runny. To prevent this, make sure your butter and cream cheese are at room temperature, but not melted. If they’re too warm, the frosting won’t keep its shape. If they’re too cold, you might get small lumps.
Ingredients
- Unsalted Butter: Softened to a cool room temperature.
- Cream Cheese: Use the full-fat brick variety (not the spreadable tub) for the best stability.
- Powdered Sugar: Sifted to ensure a cloud-like smoothness.
- Vanilla Flavoring or Extract: Adds that essential floral aroma.
How to Make It
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter on medium-high speed until pale and smooth. This usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Turn the mixer to low and slowly add the powdered sugar. Beat until well incorporated. Increase the speed to high and add the softened cream cheese. Beat until the frosting is fluffy.
- Gently mix in the vanilla extract. You can also add a small pinch of salt to make the frosting less sweet.
- If the frosting is too soft to pipe, put it in the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes to firm up.
Perfect Pairings: What to Frost
This frosting works well with many desserts, but it’s especially good with cakes and breads that have rich flavors or spices.
- Classic Carrot Cake: This is the traditional pairing. The tangy frosting goes well with the cinnamon, nutmeg, and carrots in the cake.
- Red Velvet Cupcakes: These are a classic match. The mild cocoa flavor of the cake tastes even better with a thick layer of cream cheese frosting.
- Pumpkin Spice Bread: Spread a thick layer of this frosting on top of the bread after it has cooled to make it extra special.
- Banana Nut Muffins: Add a spoonful of frosting and a sprinkle of crushed walnuts to turn these muffins into a sweet treat.
- Hummingbird Cake: This Southern classic, made with pineapple and bananas, tastes great with a tangy cream cheese frosting.
What equipment or kitchen supplies do I need?
Cream Cheese Frosting for Cookies & Cakes
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla flavoring or vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter on medium-high speed until pale and smooth. This usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes.½ cup unsalted butter
- Turn the mixer to low and slowly add the powdered sugar. Beat until well incorporated. Beat for another 2-3 minutes or until well incorporated.2 cups powdered sugar
- Increase the speed to high and Add softened cream cheese and vanilla flavoring. Continue to cream for about 1 minute or until everything is well combined and you get a smooth, fluffy consistency.8 oz cream cheese, 1 tsp vanilla flavoring or vanilla extract
Video
@roni.tapia.gonzalez Replying to @annaesp51 Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe for cookies or cakes | La Vencedora Clear Vanilla Flavoring | Baking Recipe | This is the way I make my cream cheese frosting for my cookies and cakes. For this batch, I am using vanilla flavoring instead of vanilla extract. Check out @border merchant to try the vanilla flavoring and other Mexican products for your kitchen. This recipe yields about 12 cupcakes, 24 cookies, or one 8 inch round cake. If you are wanting a thinner frosting for cinammon rolls take a look at my other recipe video on my page. Ingredients • 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter softened • 8 oz Cream Cheese softened • 2 cups Powdered Sugar • 1 tsp Vanilla Flavoring or Vanilla Extract #creamcheesefrosting #creamcheese #baking #foodtok #foodie #ourtexaswhisk #ronigonzalez #easyrecipe #homemadefood #ojostristes #selenagomez ♬ sonido original – futwsmg
Notes
If you want to pipe detailed flowers or designs, add another 1/2 cup of powdered sugar to make the frosting stiffer. Just keep in mind it will be a bit sweeter.
Nutrition
Serving: 57gCalories: 212kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 1gFat: 14gCholesterol: 39mgSodium: 60mgSugar: 20g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
