Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

Name: Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
Prep time: 10 min
Ingredients: 12 oz. cream cheese (softened); 6 Tablespoons salted butter (room temperature ); 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice; 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon zest; 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1 1/2 Cups powdered sugar

This lemon cream cheese frosting requires only 5 ingredients and 10 minutes for an ultra-lemony frosting made with fresh zested lemon peel and lemon juice. Perfect for cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and more!

Table of Contents

This lemon creamy cheese frosting perfectly balances the zesty flavors of lemon with the creaminess of cream cheese! It’s easy, versatile, and makes for a delicious homemade frosting without a lot of effort.

Looking for a classic version instead? This cream cheese frosting is what you need! And if you want to try another citrus twist, my cream cheese and orange frosting is a must-try.

Another one of those recipes that is a result of trial and error. My goal was a delicious lemon frosting that was super tart but still had that great lemony flavor.

Why I Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy: This recipe is a snap to make. Just mix the ingredients and you’re done in less than 5 minutes!
Balanced Flavors: The combination of fresh lemon juice and zest gives this frosting a bold, tangy flavor that’s hard to resist.
Versatile: You’ll love how well this frosting works with just about everything! Use it for a cake, pipe it on top of cookies, or try it on some scones!
Crowd-Pleaser: This lemon cream cheese frosting is always a hit at parties and gatherings. Trust me, I’ve tried and tested it!

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Key Ingredients

Cream Cheese: This is the star of the show, giving the frosting its rich and creamy texture.
Butter: Salt adds a savory note to balance the sweetness of the other ingredients.
Lemon Juice and Zest: These add a bright, tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the frosting.
Vanilla Extract: A hint of vanilla enhances the overall flavor of the frosting.
Powdered Sugar: This sweetens the frosting and also helps to thicken it.

Equipment

Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer – You’ll need this to blend together the cream cheese, butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract, as well as to incorporate the powdered sugar until the mixture is creamy.
Large Bowl – This is where you’ll combine the cream cheese, butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract before using the mixer.

How to Make Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

Preparation

Start by making sure your cream cheese and butter are at room temperature for easy mixing. You’ll also need to have your fresh lemon juice and lemon zest ready. Finally, sift your powdered sugar to remove any lumps for a smooth frosting.

cream lemon cream cheese frosting ingredients in bowl

Step 1 – Combine the Ingredients

In a large bowl, mix together the cream cheese, butter, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. You can use a hand-held mixer or a stand-up mixer for this.

Step 2 – Add the Powdered Sugar

Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture. Add it in ½ cup increments, mixing well after each addition. This will help you achieve a creamy and lump-free frosting.

Step 3 – Mix at High Speed

Once all the powdered sugar has been added, mix the frosting on high speed for 10 seconds. This final mix will ensure that all the ingredients are well combined and that your frosting is smooth and creamy.

Step 4 – Pipe or Spread the Frost

Your lemon cream cheese frosting is now ready to use. You can pipe it onto shortbread cookies or fresh strawberries for a delicious treat. If you’re making a cake, simply spread the frosting onto a 13×9 cake for a tangy, sweet finish.

Expert Tip

To give your lemon cream cheese frosting a real zesty kick, don’t skimp on the lemon zest. This is what gives the frosting its vibrant citrus flavor and a lovely bit of texture. The fresh lemon juice and quality vanilla extract are also key to making this frosting truly shine.

Recipe Variations

Different Citrus Flavors: If you’re not a fan of lemon, feel free to swap the lemon juice and zest for orange as I do in this orange frosting recipe.
Tangier: For a tangier frosting, add a tablespoon of sour cream to the mixture. This will also make it a bit more stable if you’re using it to frost a cake.

What to Serve With

For a deliciously tangy treat, try spreading this frosting on a freshly baked 13×9 lemon cake. The zesty lemon flavor of the frosting pairs perfectly with the light and fluffy lemon cake.
If you’re a fan of classic desserts, you can’t go wrong with a batch of homemade scones. The subtle sweetness of the scones is a great match for the bright, citrusy frosting.
If you’re looking for a fun and unique way to serve this frosting, try filling fresh strawberries with it. The creamy, lemony filling is a great contrast to the sweet, juicy strawberries.

lemon cream cheese frosting filled strawberries

Recipe FAQs

How can I make the frosting more or less sweet?

The sweetness of the frosting can be easily adjusted by varying the amount of powdered sugar. If you prefer a less sweet frosting, you can reduce the amount of powdered sugar. On the other hand, if you like it sweeter, you can add more powdered sugar to the mixture.

Can I use unsalted butter in this recipe?

Yes, you can. If you use unsalted butter, consider adding a pinch of salt to the frosting to balance the flavors. However, this recipe is developed using salt, so the unsalted butter will make the frosting overly sweet.

What is the key to making a smooth and creamy lemon cream cheese frosting?

The key to a smooth and creamy frosting is to make sure that your cream cheese and butter are at room temperature. This allows them to mix together more easily and prevents lumps in your frosting. Also, adding the powdered sugar gradually and mixing well will give you a smooth consistency.

Storing and Reheating

Storing: After frosting your cake or cupcakes, any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezing: Unfortunately, this lemon frosting doesn’t freeze well due to the cream cheese in the recipe.

Serving Size

What to Expect: This lemon cream cheese frosting recipe yields enough to generously frost a 9×13-inch cake or 24 cupcakes.
How to Scale: If you’re planning to use this frosting for a larger cake or more cupcakes, you can easily double the recipe. Just make sure your mixer is large enough to accommodate the increased quantity.

Created by: Lynette Rice