Basic Cream Cheese Frosting

4.7
(1,710)

Delicious homemade cream cheese frosting made using just butter, cream cheese, vanilla, and confectioners' sugar.

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A wooden board with three cupcakes frosted with basic cream cheese frosting
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Prep Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
10 mins
Servings:
12
Yield:
2 cups

This cream cheese frosting is sweet, tangy, and irresistibly rich. What's not to love?

Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients

It's easy to make this rich cream cheese frosting recipe with just four ingredients:

· Cream cheese: Of course, you'll need cream cheese!
· Butter: You'll also need a stick of softened butter.
· Vanilla: Vanilla extract enhances the flavor.
· Confectioners' sugar: Confectioners' sugar easily dissolves into the cream cheese frosting.

Basic Cream Cheese Frosting
Basic Cream Cheese Frosting.

How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting

You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make homemade cream cheese frosting: Beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla together until creamy. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar until the mixture is smooth. That's it!

What to Do with Cream Cheese Frosting

Cream cheese frosting is the perfect finishing touch for cakes, cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, and so much more. If you want to eat it with a spoon, though, that's OK too! Try one of these delicious ideas:

· Best Carrot Cake
· Red Velvet Cupcakes
· Moist, Tender Spice Cake
· 90-Minute Cinnamon Rolls
· One-Bowl Chocolate Cake

Does Cream Cheese Frosting Need to Be Refrigerated?

Yes, cream cheese frosting should never sit at room temperature for more than a few hours at a time. Store the frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

To store a cake frosted with cream cheese cheese frosting, chill the uncovered cake in the fridge for at least 15 minutes so that the frosting hardens slightly. Cover with plastic wrap in the fridge for up to three days.

Learn more: How to Store a Frosted Cake

Can You Freeze Cream Cheese Frosting?

Yes! You can freeze cream cheese frosting for up to one month. The texture might change a little bit, but it'll still be delicious.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"Classic, tried, and true," according to one Allrecipes community member. "Also great on pumpkin muffins and cinnamon rolls!! Good recipe to have in your file."

"This is my go-to cream cheese frosting! It is light, fluffy, and tastes great on both carrot and red velvet cakes… also just off the spoon," raves Kim.

"Super easy and fast to make!" says Melisa. "Great cream cheese flavor, spreads easily, stores well. I put this on my homemade sourdough cinnamon rolls! A family favorite!"

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 12 servings

  • 8 ounces cream cheese

  • ½ cup butter, softened

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 4 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Ingredients to make basic cream cheese frosting

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Beat cream cheese, softened butter, and vanilla together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and creamy.

    A bowl of cream cheese, butter, and vanilla being mixed together with a hand mixer

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth.

    A bowl of basic cream cheese frosting, being mixed with a hand mixer

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Enjoy!

    A wooden board with three cupcakes frosted with basic cream cheese frosting

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

3,383 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

292 Calories
14g Fat
40g Carbs
2g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 12
Calories 292
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 14g 18%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Cholesterol 41mg 14%
Sodium 111mg 5%
Total Carbohydrate 40g 15%
Total Sugars 39g
Protein 2g 3%
Calcium 18mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 27mg 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.