• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Always Eat Dessert
  • Recipes
  • Baking Tips
  • About
    • Contact
  • Work with Me
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Baking Tips
  • About
  • Work with Me
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Baking Tips
    • About
    • Work with Me
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Frosting, Sauce & Topping Recipes

    Perfect Cream Cheese Frosting (Plus 4 Flavor Variations)

    Published: Mar 31, 2021 by Allison Ferraro · Modified: Apr 30, 2021 · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    This ultra-creamy, classic cream cheese frosting is easy to make from scratch and perfect for frosting cakes and decorating cupcakes. This recipe includes 4 flavor variations: brown butter, cinnamon, vanilla bean, and honey.

    close up view of cream cheese frosting spread on a cake this Recipe
    Jump to:
    • Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
    • Recipe Tips
    • Flavor Variations
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More Frosted Recipes

    Cream cheese frosting is easily one of my favorite dessert toppings. It's rich and creamy with a delightful tang and thick texture. Plus it's super simple to make and takes mere minutes to blend together. I especially love it with carrot cake (or carrot cake cupcakes!), but it pairs with a multitude of cakes, cupcakes, and other desserts!

    Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions

    This frosting is a piece of cake to make and comes together in just 10 minutes with only 5 simple ingredients.

    1. Use a stand mixer or a handheld electric mixer to beat cream cheese and butter on high speed until smooth.
    2. Add vanilla extract and salt to the cream cheese and butter and beat to combine.
    3. With the mixer running on low speed, slowly add confectioners’ sugar. When all of the sugar has been added, turn up the mixer to high speed and beat until the frosting is cohesive and creamy.
    close up view of cream cheese frosting in the bowl of a white stand mixer

    Recipe Tips

    Use full-fat cream cheese blocks. For the best flavor and texture, avoid low fat cream cheese and cream cheese from a tub.

    Let the cream cheese and butter come to room temperature before blending. Room temperature ingredients are essential for smooth frosting. Trying to blend chilled cream cheese will lead to lumpy frosting. Check out my tips for bringing ingredients to room temperature more quickly.

    Sift the confectioners' sugar. Sifting the sugar will ensure that there are no clumps of sugar in your frosting.

    Re-chill the frosting before piping. You need the cream cheese and butter to be room temperature for mixing, but you may then find that your frosting is a bit too soft or runny for piping. It may be helpful to let the frosting chill in the fridge for 30 to 60 minutes so that it firms up just enough to be easily piped.

    overhead view of different flavors of cream cheese frosting piped in squiggly lines onto brown parchment paper

    Flavor Variations

    Brown Butter

    To make brown butter frosting, brown the butter and let it cool to room temperature before mixing the frosting. You can also brown the butter ahead of time, refrigerate it, and then bring it to room temperature just before you're ready to use it.

    Cinnamon

    To make cinnamon frosting, simply add ½ tsp. ground cinnamon in with the confectioners' sugar.

    Vanilla Bean

    To make vanilla bean frosting, replace the vanilla extract with 2 tsp. vanilla bean paste.

    Honey

    To make honey frosting, add ¼ cup honey when adding the vanilla. Note that the extra liquid in this recipe will make the frosting slightly softer than the other flavors. I recommend keeping this frosting well chilled and letting it sit at room temperature for a shorter period of time (15 to 30 minutes) before spreading or piping.

    close up side view of a carrot cake cupcake with brown butter cream cheese frosting on a blue speckled background
    close up overhead view of a cake with cinnamon cream cheese frosting and a border of chopped pecans

    Recipe FAQs

    Can I make cream cheese frosting ahead of time?

    Absolutely! Cream cheese frosting can be made ahead (I recommend making it up to one day ahead so it's still fresh when serving) and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. When you're ready to use the frosting, let it sit at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes to soften slightly before spreading or piping the frosting onto your dessert.

    Why is my cream cheese frosting lumpy?

    To avoid lumpy frosting, be sure to use room temperature cream cheese and butter, which will blend together more easily. Sifting the confectioners' sugar will also help to minimize any lumps in the frosting.

    How can I fix runny cream cheese frosting?

    If the frosting has become runny, it is most likely because the frosting has become too warm. Return the frosting to the fridge for at least 30 minutes to give it time to firm up a bit before using. (Of course, be aware of food safety concerns and avoid eating frosting that has been sitting at room temperature for more than a few hours.)

    What's the best way to store cream cheese frosting?

    Store leftover cream cheese frosting in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Let the frosting sit at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes to soften slightly before spreading or piping.

    More Frosted Recipes

    • The Ultimate Guide to American Buttercream Frosting
    • Carrot Snack Cake
    • Small Batch Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
    • Fig Cupcakes with Honey Cream Cheese Frosting

    Love this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review on the recipe below! And don't forget to subscribe to Always Eat Dessert for even more simple recipes, baking tips, and inspiration.

    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    close up view of cream cheese frosting spread on a cake

    Perfect Cream Cheese Frosting


    • Author: Allison Ferraro
    • Total Time: 10 minutes
    • Yield: About 2 ¼ cups frosting 1x
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    This ultra-creamy, classic cream cheese frosting recipe is easy to make from scratch and includes 4 flavor variations: brown butter, cinnamon, vanilla bean, and honey.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 8 oz. (227 grams) full-fat cream cheese block, room temperature
    • ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
    • 1 tsp. (5 grams) vanilla extract
    • pinch of salt
    • 3 ⅓ cups (379 grams) confectioners’ sugar, sifted

    Instructions

    1. In the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment (or in a large bowl using a handheld electric mixer), beat cream cheese and butter on high speed until smooth, about 1 minute.
    2. Add vanilla and salt and beat to combine.
    3. With the mixer running on low speed, slowly add confectioners’ sugar until all the sugar is added. Then beat on high speed until the mixture is well combined and creamy.

    Notes

    Storage: Store leftover cream cheese frosting in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Let the frosting sit at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes to soften slightly before spreading or piping.

    Make Ahead: Cream cheese frosting can be made ahead (I recommend making it up to one day ahead so it's still fresh when serving) and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. When you're ready to use the frosting, let it sit at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes to soften slightly before spreading or piping the frosting onto your dessert.

    Flavor Variations:

    • Brown Butter: To make brown butter frosting, brown the butter and let it cool to room temperature before mixing the frosting. You can also brown the butter ahead of time, refrigerate it, and then bring it to room temperature just before you're ready to use it.
    • Cinnamon: To make cinnamon frosting, simply add ½ tsp. ground cinnamon in with the confectioners' sugar.
    • Vanilla Bean: To make vanilla bean frosting, replace the vanilla extract with 2 tsp. vanilla bean paste.
    • Honey: To make honey frosting, add ¼ cup honey when adding the vanilla. Note that the extra liquid in this recipe will make the frosting slightly softer than the other flavors. I recommend keeping this frosting well chilled and letting it sit at room temperature for a shorter period of time (15 to 30 minutes) before spreading or piping.
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Category: Dessert
    • Method: Baking
    • Cuisine: American

    Keywords: cream cheese frosting, classic, brown butter, cinnamon, vanilla bean, honey

    More Frosting, Sauce & Topping Recipes

    • Homemade Lemon Curd
    • Easy Homemade Cherry Sauce
    • How to Make Chocolate Ganache
    • Easy Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆
    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Allison Ferraro headshot

    Hi there!

    I'm Allison, the cookie-obsessed baker, recipe creator, and food photographer behind Always Eat Dessert.

    Here you’ll find made-from-scratch recipes designed for busy people who love to bake. From cookies to quick breads, you'll discover detailed, easy-to-follow recipes for everyday life along with practical baking tips to help you whip up indulgent treats from scratch with confidence.

    Get to know Allison →

    Valentine's Day Dessert Recipes

    • Valentine Heart Sugar Cookies
    • Brownie Bites with Whipped Chocolate Ganache
    • Strawberry Meringue Roses
    • Homemade Chocolate Covered Strawberries

    Reader Favorites

    • Cranberry Walnut Bread
    • Sparkling Apple Cider Punch (Cocktail or Mocktail)
    • Homemade Pizza Buns
    • Quick & Easy Buttermilk Biscuits (Small Batch)

    Top Tips

    • How to Melt Chocolate in a Double Boiler
    • How to Grate Carrots for Carrot Cake
    • How to Melt White Chocolate (Chips, Bars & Wafers)
    • How to Line Pans with Parchment Paper
    • Mixing Methods in Baking: How to Fold, Beat & Stir
    • How to Fix Flat Cookies
    logos of media outlets featuring Always Eat Dessert recipes

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Portfolio
    • Work with Me

    Policies

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Website Disclaimer
    • Accessibility Policy

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Subscribe

    COPYRIGHT © 2023 ALWAYS EAT DESSERT, LLC | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED