Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
This easy homemade Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is thick, fluffy, smooth, and perfectly pipeable. Made with full-fat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of sea salt, it's the ultimate frosting for carrot cake, red velvet cake, cinnamon rolls, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and more. Ready in just 10 minutes with simple pantry ingredients, this bakery-style frosting delivers rich flavor, silky texture, and reliable results every time.
Ingredients
- 8 oz full-fat block of cream cheese (226g) softened
- 1 cup unsalted butter (113g) softened
- 4½ cups powder sugar (540g) sifted, optional
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1-2 tsp heavy cream if needed
Instructions
- Beat the softened butter on medium speed for 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add the softened cream cheese and mix just until smooth and combined.
- Mix in the vanilla extract and sea salt. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed until incorporated.
- Increase to medium-low speed for about 30–60 seconds until smooth and fluffy.
- Add heavy cream, one teaspoon at a time, only if a softer consistency is desired.
- Use immediately or refrigerate until ready to frost cakes, cupcakes, cookies, cinnamon rolls, or bars.
Notes
Notes
- Always use block-style full-fat cream cheese.
- Do not overmix the frosting.
- Chill for 20 minutes before piping if your kitchen is warm.
- Frost only completely cooled baked goods.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Estimated Nutrition (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | About 2½ tablespoons |
| Calories | 205 |
| Total Fat | 12g |
| Saturated Fat | 7g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 31mg |
| Sodium | 80mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 25g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Total Sugars | 24g |
| Added Sugars | 24g |
| Protein | 1g |
| Vitamin A | 420 IU |
| Vitamin C | 0mg |
| Calcium | 20mg |
| Iron | 0.1mg |
| Potassium | 24mg |