This cream cheese buttercream frosting is the best frosting you will ever taste. It is a deliciously rich and creamy frosting, with the perfect balance of tart and sweet. It is a stiff cream cheese frosting perfect for decorating cakes or cupcakes.
Think of this as your basic buttercream frosting, but add cream cheese! The cream cheese adds a tartness to the buttercream that isn't overpowering but helps to keep the sweetness level at bay, creating the perfect, not-too-sweet cream cheese buttercream frosting.
If you are going to make the best cream cheese buttercream frosting, then you obviously need the best carrot cake ever for it to go on! It is also the perfect cream cheese frosting recipe for these pumpkin spice-flavored cupcakes or this dalgona layered coffee cake!
Jump to:
Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting Ingredients
- Milk - Any kind of milk or plant-based milk can be used for this recipe.
- Butter - Can be substituted for plant-based butter.
- Cream Cheese - Use full-fat, brick cream cheese for this buttercream recipe. Cream cheese can be substituted for plant-based cream cheese. If substituting for plant-based, be sure to use brick cream cheese, not the spreadable kind.
Please see the recipe card for exact quantities.
Recipe Modifications
- Make It Ultra Stable - This cream cheese frosting can be used for decorating cakes and cupcakes. However, if you want it to be ultra stable by adding some cornstarch to the frosting mixture. 1-2 tablespoons should do the trick!
- Vegan Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting - To make this recipe vegan, substitute the cream cheese, butter and milk for plant-based alternatives. Be sure to use brick-style cream cheese and not the spreadable kind.
Different Flavor Options
This recipe can be adapted to a wide range of flavour combinations.
- Almond - transform this into an almond buttercream frosting by omitting the vanilla extract and using almond extract instead.
- Lemon - to make this into a lemon buttercream frosting, omit the vanilla extract and replace it with pure lemon extract (do not use lemon oil). Also add 1-2 teaspoons of freshly grated lemon zest for the perfect lemony zip!
- Chocolate - create a chocolate cream cheese buttercream frosting by adding 3-4 tablespoons of cocoa powder. You will also need to add 2-3 tablespoons of extra milk.
- Pumpkin Spice - Add 1 Tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice to this recipe to transform this from plain to pumpkin spice buttercream!
How To Make Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting
Step 1- Into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a whisk attachment, add the softened cream cheese and butter.
Alternatively, you may also use a hand mixer and a large mixing bowl.
Step 2- Beat, gradually increasing speed until you reach high speed, for 2-3 minutes. The cream cheese and butter mixture should be fully combined and smooth and creamy.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Save This Recipe! 💌
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Step 3- Add 3 cups of the powdered sugar to the mixing bowl and beat on medium speed until just combined.
With the mixer running on low, add the vanilla extract.
Add the remaining 1 cup of powdered sugar. Add the milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
Step 4- The cream cheese buttercream frosting is done when it is fluffy, smooth and creamy and holds stiff peaks.
(See below for tips to make it ultra-stable or thicker.)
Expert Tip
If your frosting turns out too soft for your desired use. Add more powdered sugar, ½ cup at a time. To make it ultra stable, you can also add 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch.
If your workspace is on the warmer side and your frosting becomes too runny, pop it into the refrigerator for 15 minutes until it is stiff enough to use.
Equipment
You will need either a stand mixer or a hand mixer to make this frosting recipe.
If you are using a stand mixer, then either the paddle attachment or the whisk attachment can be used.
How To Store
Prepared cream cheese buttercream frosting can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To use chilled buttercream frosting, you will have to let it come to room temperature before it is spreadable or pipeable.
Cream cheese buttercream can also be frozen for up to 3 months in an airtight container.
FAQ's
Yes! Cream cheese buttercream frosting can be frozen and used later. Freeze the frosting in an air-tight container for up to 3 months. When you are ready to use it, let it come up to room temperature and give it a quick stir before using.
Note - Cream cheese has a high moisture content, and freezing causes the water to expand, creating tiny ice crystals, and it could alter the texture, making it grainy or gritty. This will all depend on the ingredients and brands used, as every brand makes food slightly differently.
More Delicious Cake Recipes
Looking for more mouth-watering cake recipes? We've got a bunch!
If you made this Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating, a 💬 comment and share it on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook!
📖 Recipe
Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting
↑ click the stars to rate this recipe ↑
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese softened
- ½ cup Butter softened
- 4-4 ½ cups Powdered Sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract
- 2-3 tablespoons Milk of choice
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle or whisk attachment, beat the cream cheese and butter. Starting on low, gradually increasing the speed until at high, beat for 2-3 minutes until the cream cheese and butter are smooth and creamy.
- Add 3 cups of powdered sugar to the bowl and beat on medium speed until just combined.
- Add the vanilla and the remaining 1 cup of powdered sugar to the bowl and return the mixer to high speed for 1 minute. Add the milk, 1 tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
- To thicken the frosting: Add additional powdered sugar, ½ cup at a time. For ultra-stable cream cheese buttercream frosting add 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch.
Save This Recipe! 💌
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator and it will vary based on the ingredients that you use.
Eddie says
This frosting recipe is a must have when it comes to topping off. Amazing
Maei says
How much butter do I use?
Jessica says
1/2 cup of butter. Please refer to the recipe above for all specific ingredient measurements.
Thank you!
Jessica
Heidi says
Hi. I would like to use this recipe to decorate my daughters’ birthday cupcakes. I’ve never tinted icing before. What is the best product to use to color the frosting and how do I accomplish this without making it runny or changing the flavor? Thank you for your help!
Jessica says
Hi Heidi,
The best food coloring to use is a gel based food coloring. Wilton has some good ones!
-Jessica
Heather says
DELISSSSSSH. perfect frosting. Had this on my daughters carrot cake cupcakes for her birthday party and they were a hit
Jessica says
Yay!