The Best Cream Cheese Frosting

If you are looking for a delicious homemade cream cheese frosting, try this easy cream cheese frosting recipe. It is the best cream cheese frosting you have ever tasted! 

Let the record show that I absolutely love this homemade chocolate frosting. It is the easiest and best chocolate frosting I have ever tasted. I promise! Once you make it, you will never go back to store bought again. I’ve been known to eat it (ahem) by the spoonful. And until this cream cheese frosting…nothing quite compared.

But this? I am boldly proclaiming this is the best cream cheese frosting you will ever taste. 

I was on a quest to find the best cream cheese frosting recipe when I baked these mini chocolate bundt cakes. The bundt cakes are a Nothing Bundt Cake copycat recipe. If you know anything about Nothing Bundt cakes, you know they are generously frosted with a thick layer of cream cheese frosting.

Cream cheese frosting out of a can simply doesn’t compare to a homemade cream cheese frosting. This is a basic cream cheese frosting everyone should have in their recipe box. 

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What is cream cheese frosting made of? 

Basic cream cheese frosting is typically made from cream cheese, butter and powdered sugar. This 4 ingredient cream cheese frosting recipe is made from cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar and vanilla.

How do you make cream cheese frosting from scratch?

Making homemade cream cheese frosting is so simple! Soften some cream cheese and beat with softened butter. This really is the trick right here. You need truly softened ingredients for the fluffiest cream cheese frosting! Add a touch of vanilla and blend in powdered sugar. Before you know it, you have the best cream cheese frosting you have ever tasted! And yes, it was made with only 4 common kitchen ingredients that you probably have in your fridge and pantry right now.

Do you need to refrigerate cream cheese frosting?

This is a tricky one, because you typically don’t refrigerate cake but you do refrigerate cream cheese. What happens when you frost a cake with cream cheese frosting? I still debate on this one myself. After a bit of research, I found out the general rule is if you are serving the cake within a couple of hours, you can leave it out on the counter. Most food experts say not to leave cream cheese frosting out for longer than two hours before refrigerating. If your house gets hot or you bake something with cream cheese frosting in the summer, you will want to refrigerate the cake until you are ready to serve.

Can you freeze homemade cream cheese frosting?

Are you ready for this? It’s a game changer because YES, you can freeze cream cheese frosting! To freeze, simply put the frosting in a freezer safe container or jar and freeze. When you ready to use, let thaw in the fridge for a day or until the frosting is all the way softened. It might separate a tiny bit after thawing. Simply use a spoon and stir it together again before frosting. This is a handy tip if you have extra cream cheese frosting and want to save it for another occasion! Your thawed cream cheese frosting will taste just as delicious as it did before frozen. If, by chance, you find it is too runny after thawing, stir in just a tablespoon or two more of powdered sugar to quickly stiffen it up again.

What can you frost with cream cheese frosting?

Cream cheese frosting is a great frosting choice for anything spiced. This is a great cream cheese frosting for carrot cake. It is the best cream cheese frosting for pumpkin cupcakes. It is a great cream cheese frosting for any cake decorating. It is even a good cream cheese frosting for cinnamon rolls. And hands down, it is the best cream cheese frosting for chocolate cake, like with these mini bundt cakes. You really can’t go wrong when choosing to frost something with cream cheese frosting!

Before I jump to the recipe, here is one more important tip.

Make sure to soften your cream cheese and butter on the counter for several (2-3) hours before making your frosting. If you make it with cold butter or cold cream cheese, you will end up with lumps in your frosting. Sometimes I try to hurry the process and microwave ingredients to soften them. Don’t microwave your butter or cream cheese for this recipe! It will change the consistency. Your goal is room temperature, softened cream cheese and butter, that idents slightly when you press it with your finger.

Once your cream cheese and butter are softened, you are ready to make homemade cream cheese frosting!

I hope you love this frosting as much as I do. It’s delicious on cakes, cupcakes or anything really. A good cream cheese frosting is amazing, and I’m so happy I have this recipe now.

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The Best Cream Cheese Frosting

This easy frosting recipe makes the best cream cheese frosting you will ever taste. You will love this delicious cream cheese frosting!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 6 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 3 1/24 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Soften cream cheese and butter on the counter for 2 hours, or until ingredients are soft to the touch.
  2. In a mixer, cream the cream cheese on medium speed until it is all soft.
  3. Add the butter and beat with cream cheese until combined.
  4. Add vanilla.
  5. Add powdered sugar, 1/2 a cup at a time, beating on low speed until thoroughly combined. Check the consistency at 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar. Add more powdered sugar (4 cups total) if you want a thicker frosting.
  6. Enjoy your delicious cream cheese frosting! Use a knife to spread the frosting or a big piping tip to pipe the frosting on your cake.

Notes

Cream cheese frosting should be stored in the refrigerate until ready to serve.

This recipe makes enough frosting to frost 24 cupcakes, 18 mini bundt cakes, or an 8 inch double layer cake. If you are making a layered cake, you may want to make a recipe and a half, or double the recipe, to make sure you have enough for a generous layer of cream cheese frosting.

Keywords: easy cream cheese frosting

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7 Comments

  1. Kristen, So easy – very delicious and creamy. My go to frosting for cakes, cupcakes and scones.
    Thanks for sharing!
    Love All your recipes – I have tried many of them. I’ve been laZy about commenting. I know if it’s your recipe it will be good!

    1. Thank YOU so much, Cali! This is one of my absolute favorite frostings too. I love your idea of putting this on scones! I am going to have to try that.

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