This cream cheese frosting recipe is creamy, rich, and incredibly easy to make – and guess what? It only requires four simple ingredients. Yes, you read that right! If you’re a fan of rich and sweet, this one’s for you!
If you’ve always wanted a cream cheese frosting recipe you could rely on for any occasion, this is the one for you. It’s also not just limited to cakes but goes great on anything, especially spiced bread, cinnamon rolls, cookies, or even brownies.
Love this recipe? Then you’ve got to try my lemon cream cheese frosting or this orange frosting. They’re just as easy to make and offer a fun twist on this classic recipe. Trust me, your desserts will thank you!
This recipe was found in the Brentwood Mansion cookbook. A southern cookbook, this cream cheese frosting goes along brilliantly with the hummingbird cake they also shared.
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
- Classic Flavors: The combination of cream cheese, butter, and vanilla extract creates a classic, tried-and-true flavor that’s hard to resist. It’s seriously the best cream cheese frosting recipe!
- Family Favorite: This recipe has been a hit with my family for years. It’s a go-to for birthdays, holidays, and special occasions.
- Time-Tested: This recipe has stood the test of time. It’s a classic that never goes out of style.
- Versatile: You can easily use this frosting on just about any dessert. It’s the sort of recipe that I always have on hand.
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
Key Ingredients
- Cream Cheese: This ingredient adds a rich and creamy texture to the frosting, and its tanginess balances the sweetness of the other ingredients.
- Butter: Butter provides a smooth and buttery flavor to the frosting, making it even more decadently rich.
- Powder Sugar: This ingredient sweetens the frosting and also gives it a smooth, creamy texture. Make sure to sift it to avoid lumps.
- Vanilla Extract: It adds a subtle, sweet flavor that compliments the tanginess of the cream cheese.
Equipment
- Bowl – You’ll need a large bowl to combine the cream cheese, butter, and sugar, and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Electric Mixer – An electric mixer is essential to beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth, and then to incorporate the powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. It saves a ton of time and effort compared to doing it by hand.
How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting
Preparation
To start off, make sure your cream cheese and butter are at room temperature. This will help them blend together more easily and prevent lumps in your frosting.
Step 1 – Combine Cream Cheese and Butter
In a bowl, add the softened cream cheese and butter. Use an electric mixer to beat them on high until they are smooth and well combined.
Step 2 – Add Powdered Sugar
Next, add the sifted sugar and beat it until it’s light and fluffy. This will give your frosting a sweet and airy texture that’s perfect for spreading.
Step 3 – Stir in the Vanilla
Finally, stir in the vanilla extract. This will give your frosting a subtle, sweet flavor that compliments the tanginess of the cream cheese.
Step 4 – Finish and Serve
Your cream cheese frosting is ready to go! You can use it right away to frost your favorite cake or cupcakes. If you’re not ready to use it yet, you can store it for later too.
Expert Tip
To ensure a smooth and creamy cream cheese frosting, make sure your cream cheese and butter are both softened to room temperature before you start. This will make it easier to beat them together until smooth, resulting in a fluffy frosting.
Recipe Variations
- Double the Recipe: If you’re making a layered cake, you might want to consider doubling the recipe. This will ensure you have enough frosting to cover each layer generously.
- Different Flavor: While the recipe calls for vanilla extract, you can experiment with different flavors. Try adding a teaspoon of almond extract for a nutty flavor, or a bit of lemon zest for a refreshing twist.
- Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting: For all the chocolate lovers, mix in 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder to the frosting to make a rich and creamy chocolate version.
What to Serve With
- For a classic treat, frost a homemade carrot cake with this creamy frosting. The sweetness of the frosting complements the spiciness of the cake beautifully.
- If you’re in the mood for something simple, bake a batch of sugar cookies and frost them with this cream cheese frosting. It’s a delicious twist on a classic cookie.
- For a special occasion, try frosting a red velvet cake with this homemade cream cheese frosting. The vibrant red cake with the white frosting makes for a stunning presentation. It’s also great on these red velvet brownies!
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use low-fat cream cheese, but the frosting may not be as rich and creamy as when using full-fat cream cheese.
It’s best to use butter as margarine has a higher water content which can affect the texture of the frosting.
Storing and Reheating
- Refrigerate: If you have leftover frosting, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator since it’s necessary for the cream cheese. It will keep well for up to a week.
- Freeze: This frosting does not freeze well due to the cream cheese. I recommend making it fresh or a few days in advance instead of freezing it.
More Frosting Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Serving Size
- What to Expect: This cream cheese frosting recipe yields enough frosting to generously cover a 13×9 cake, bundt cake, or tube pan cake.
- How to Scale: If you’re planning to use this frosting for a cake with multiple layers, you can easily double the recipe. This will ensure you have enough to cover each layer generously.
Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- ½ Cup butter softened
- 4 Cups powdered sugar sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine the cream cheese and butter in a bowl and beat on high with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Add the sifted powdered sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla.
- Frost cakes or cupcakes immediately.
Comments & Reviews
Lynette Rice says
This cream cheese is light – but rich and sweet in flavor. I love to whip it up with my electric mixer for a few minutes to get it light and fluffy which is my preference. Hope you all enjoy this one as much as my family did! 🙂