Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting (2024)

Published: Jun 24, 2021 · Modified: Mar 7, 2024 by Heather · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 1340 words. · About 7 minutes to read this article.

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Cream cheese buttercream frosting is a smooth and tangy frosting that's perfect for your next cake or cupcake recipe. This cream cheese frosting pairs perfectly with any flavor of cake or cupcake you can imagine!

Cream cheese frosting is a great alternative to a traditional buttercream frosting. The addition of cream cheese and slightly reduced sugar make it tangy and less sweet.

It pairs perfectly with just about any cake flavor! Add this frosting to your next carrot cake, red velvet cake, lemon cake, chocolate cake, or vanilla cake.

Since this frosting uses less sugar than a traditional buttercream, it isn't stable enough for piping small details like rosettes or other cake decorations. However, it's perfect for spreading with a knife onto cake, using as a cake filling, or piping on top of cupcakes!

Ingredients and substitutions

Cream cheese - For this recipe, it's very important to use the correct type of cream cheese. You'll need one 8-ounce block of full-fat original cream cheese. Low-fat cream cheese or spreadable cream cheese in a tub will not work for this recipe. Using whipped or spreadable cream cheese will result in a runny frosting.
Butter - I only recommend making this recipe with a stick of real butter, not margarine or vegetable oil spread (commonly found in a tub). I recommend unsalted butter so that you can control the amount of salt in your buttercream, but salted butter can be substituted (and the listed salt omitted) if desired.
Vanilla extract - Can be substituted with your favorite extract you have on hand, like lemon, almond, or maple extract.
Confectioner's sugar - Sometimes called powdered sugar or icing sugar. Confectioner's sugar sweetens and stabilizes the frosting, making it thick and pipeable. I don't recommend blending granulated sugar to make confectioner's sugar because you often can't achieve the superfine texture of manufactured confectioner's sugar at home.
Salt - Enhances the flavor of the frosting and helps balance with the sweetness. I don't recommend omitting the salt unless you're using salted butter.

Tips and tricks

Use a hand mixer or stand mixer- This frosting must be whipped with a whisk attachment for several minutes, so I recommend using a mixer instead of trying to mix it by hand.

Use room temperature ingredients - Your butter and cream cheese need to be room temperature (not melted, not cold) before beginning. Set your ingredients out on the counter top about 1 hour before beginning and they should be the perfect consistency for mixing.

To bring ingredients to room temperature- Need to bring ingredients to room temperature quickly? Unwrap your butter and cream cheese and slice them into pieces. Small pieces warm up faster than one large cube.

Don't be tempted to use the microwave- I don't recommend microwaving your butter because any melted butter in the recipe can ruin the texture of the frosting.

Don't skip the salt- The salt listed in this recipe helps balance with the sweetness of the frosting and enhances the flavor.

Frequently asked questions

How much frosting do I need?

This recipe makes enough frosting to frost the following cupcake quantities and cake sizes:
- 6-inch three layer cake
- 18 cupcakes with piped frosting
- 24 cupcakes spread with a knife
- 9x13 sheet cake
- 13x18 sheet cake
- 8-inch or 9-inch two layer cake with thin frosting on the tops, sides, and middle. For thick frosting all over, make an additional ½ batch of frosting.

Does cream cheese frosting need to be refrigerated?

If your baked goods are being prepared and served in the same day (within 2 hours), your cream cheese frosting can sit out at room temperature. After 2 hours, it is recommended to store your cream cheese frosting in the refrigerator.

How do I store a frosted cake before serving?

For any baked goods made ahead, store them in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator. One hour before serving, remove them from the refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature.

How long does cream cheese frosting last?

Cream cheese frosting will keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 week and in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Can I add other flavors to my cream cheese frosting?

Yes, the vanilla extract can be substituted with other extracts like lemon, maple, or peppermint. Up to 1 tablespoon of citrus zest (lemon, orange, lime) can be added for a bright, fresh citrusy frosting. A ½ teaspoon or more of dry seasoning like chai spice blend or cinnamon could be added as well (perfect for fall cakes).

Troubleshooting

Why is my cream cheese frosting melting?

Cream cheese frosting will melt in hot summer heat or direct sunlight in warm weather, between 90 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit (32 to 35 degrees Celsius). I recommend displaying frosted cakes indoors or in the shade during warmer weather.

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