If you need a reliable frosting for your next bake, this butter cream cheese frosting comes together with just four ingredients: butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. It whips up quickly and works beautifully on all kinds of homemade desserts.
Why This Butter Cream Cheese Frosting Works
Cream cheese frosting is a natural match for carrot cake, red velvet cupcakes, and especially cinnamon rolls. Many versions turn out too thin, so the goal here was a frosting that is thick, creamy, and smooth enough to spread easily while still holding its shape for piping. After some trial and error, this one became the go-to cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients You'll Need
Only four simple ingredients are required for this easy, homemade cream cheese frosting.
- Salted Butter – Use softened, room-temperature butter so it blends easily and gives the frosting a smooth, creamy texture. Unsalted butter works too; just add a pinch of salt.
- Plain Cream Cheese – Softened, full-fat cream cheese gives this frosting its signature tangy flavor and creamy texture. Philadelphia is a good choice because it blends well and has a great consistency.
- Powdered Sugar – This sweetens the frosting while giving it enough structure to become thick, fluffy, and easy to spread.
- Vanilla Extract – To loosen it up a bit and give it tons of flavor.
How to Make Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting
This recipe makes enough to frost 24 cupcakes, two 8 or 9-inch round layer cakes, or one 9×13 cake. For full recipe details, including ingredient measurements, see the recipe card below.
Step 1: Combine Ingredients in a Bowl
Start by putting very soft butter and a very soft block of cream cheese into the bottom of a large bowl. On top of that, pour powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
Step 2: Mix, Mix, Mix!
Use an electric mixer or stand mixer with the whisk attachment and mix everything together on low speed until completely smooth and thick. At first, it might seem like the powdered sugar won’t all mix in, but as you stir and work it together with the hand mixer, it will surely come together. Scrape the sides of the bowl, increase to medium speed if desired, and mix again briefly to make sure it’s fully smooth. Use as you’d like. Easy as that.
Make-Ahead Tip: Need to make the frosting ahead of time? Keep it covered in the fridge until you’re ready to use it. Let it come to room temperature, then give it a good stir before frosting.
Tips for Success
- Make sure the butter and cream cheese are really soft. Let both sit at room temperature for several hours so they’re soft enough to blend together easily. This makes a big difference in getting that smooth, creamy frosting.
- Skip the milk. You won’t need any here! The cream cheese and butter give the frosting plenty of moisture, while the powdered sugar helps it stay thick enough for spreading and piping.
- If it seems like everything isn’t coming together at first, just keep mixing.
- Use full-fat brick cream cheese. For the best texture, stick with full-fat cream cheese that comes in a brick, rather than low-fat or spreadable cream cheese from a tub. The extra fat helps give the frosting that rich, creamy consistency.
Uses for Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
From cakes and cupcakes to bars and cinnamon rolls, this creamy frosting goes with so many desserts. Here are some favorite recipes to try it with:
- Lemon Poppy Seed Cake
- Banana Cake
- Red Velvet Cake
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Cake
- Chocolate Cupcakes
- Red Velvet Cupcakes
- Carrot Cake Cupcakes
- Gingerbread Bars
With this easy-to-follow recipe and handy tips, you’ll be whipping up this classic cream cheese frosting in no time. Printable recipe card is below. Have a great day, friends!
Recipe Card: Cream Cheese Frosting
Course: Cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cream cheese frosting, cream cheese frosting recipe, how to make cream cheese frosting
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 14 servings
Calories: 240kcal
Author: Katie Cooksey
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup salted butter, at room temperature
- 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 pound powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place very soft butter and a very soft cream cheese into the bottom of a large bowl. On top of that, pour powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
- Use an electric mixer or stand mixer with the whisk attachment and mix it all together on low speed until completely smooth and thick. At first, it might seem like the powdered sugar won’t all mix in, but as you stir and work it together with the hand mixer, it will surely come together. Scrape the sides of the bowl, increase to medium speed if desired, and mix again briefly to make sure it’s fully smooth. Use as desired.
Notes
*This recipe can frost 24 cupcakes, two 8 or 9-inch round cakes, or one 9×13 cake.
Nutrition
Calories: 240kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 110mg | Potassium: 22g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 420IU | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 0.1mg
Variations
The classic version is delicious on its own, but it’s easy to switch up the flavor depending on what you’re making. Here are a few simple ideas:
- Chocolate: Add cocoa powder for a rich chocolate cream cheese frosting.
- Lemon: Mix in a little lemon juice for a bright, tangy flavor.
- Different extracts: Try almond, coconut, or another favorite extract. You can also use vanilla bean paste or real vanilla beans for those pretty little flecks throughout the frosting.
More Frosting Recipes
- Royal Icing Recipe for Gingerbread Cookies
- Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
- Marshmallow Frosting
- Easy Chocolate Frosting (reader favorite!)
- Reese’s Frosting
- Divinity Frosting
- Brown Butter Frosting
- Whipped Chocolate Ganache
- Lemon Mousse Frosting
How to Store Cream Cheese Frosting
Store leftover frosting in an airtight container or cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freeze it in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen frosting in the fridge overnight, then let it sit at room temperature until softened. Give it a good stir before using.
If you make this recipe, please consider giving it a star rating and leaving your review in the comments. If you have a of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tag @laurens_latest.
