Best Ever Cream Cheese Frosting

This Cream Cheese Frosting is rich, creamy, and just sweet enough with the perfect tang from cream cheese. It comes together in 5 minutes and spreads beautifully over cakes, cupcakes, banana bars, cinnamon rolls, or any dessert that needs a little something extra.

Contents show

1 Holly’s Recipe Highlights: Cream Cheese Frosting

2 Ingredient Notes

3 How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting

4 Storage and Leftovers

5 Desserts That Love Cream Cheese Frosting

5.1 Related Posts

Holly’s Recipe Highlights: Cream Cheese Frosting

Flavor: This cream cheese frosting has a rich, creamy flavor with the perfect balance of sweet vanilla and tangy cream cheese.

Texture: Soft, fluffy, and perfectly spreadable for cakes and bars.

Recommended Tools: A hand mixer or stand mixer makes this quick and lump-free.

Serving Suggestions: I always love using this cream cheese frosting on carrot cake, and banana cake because the sweet, tangy flavor pairs perfectly with the warm spices.

Total Time: 5 Minutes Makes: 2.5 Cups

Ingredient Notes

• Cream Cheese: Full-fat block-style cream cheese creates the thickest, creamiest frosting. Tub-style cream cheese can make the frosting too soft.
• Butter: Softened butter blends smoothly with the cream cheese and adds richness. If using salted butter, reduce or omit the added salt.
• Powdered Sugar: Start with 3 cups and add more as needed for a thicker frosting. Sifting the sugar helps create a smoother frosting if there are any clumps.
• Vanilla Extract: Vanilla gives the frosting a classic bakery style flavor.

How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting

1. Beat the cream cheese and butter (full recipe below).
2. Mix in the vanilla or lemon juice.
3. Add the salt and powdered sugar.
4. Beat until fluffy, then spread over fully cooled baked goods.

Storage and Leftovers

• Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• For Spreading: Let it soften at room temperature for at least 20 minutes before spreading. If needed, give it a quick stir before using.
• Freezing: Freeze cream cheese frosting in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then let it soften and stir before spreading.

Did you enjoy this Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe? Leave a comment and rating below.

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

• Combine cream cheese and butter with a mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Mix in vanilla (or lemon juice and lemon zest if using).

• Add in salt and powdered sugar a bit at a time, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Continue beating on medium speed until fluffy. Do not overmix.

• Store up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

• This frosting cannot be piped with a piping bag, it is a soft frosting.
• To avoid a runny frosting, do not overmix. 
• Use a stand mixer with either a whisk attachment or a handheld mixer, scraping the sides as needed.
• To make a thicker frosting, add more powdered sugar. A thinner frosting can be made with a touch of milk or water (1 teaspoon at a time).
• Ensure baked goods are thoroughly cooled before spreading frosting to prevent it from melting.

*Nutrition information is for 1 tablespoon of frosting.  This recipe makes about 2 ½ cups of frosting.
Frosting can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let it soften at room temperature for at least 20 minutes before using. 

Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 34 | Carbohydrates: 0.4g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 37mg | Potassium: 8mg | Fiber: 0.01g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 123IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 0.01mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

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