Cora’s Frosting Journey : cream cheese buttercream frosting recipe
There’s something magical about the moment you bite into a cake frosted with homemade cream cheese buttercream frosting recipe. My grandmother taught me that the secret wasn’t complicated it was about respecting quality ingredients and understanding the simple chemistry behind them. When I first created CoraRecipe.com, I knew sharing this cream cheese buttercream frosting recipe had to be a priority. It’s tangy, it’s creamy, and it transforms ordinary cupcakes into something truly special. Whether you’re frosting a birthday cake or decorating a dozen cupcakes, this cream cheese buttercream frosting never disappoints. Let me share what I’ve learned about making it absolutely perfect.
Why This Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting Stands Out
Looking for the perfect cream cheese frosting recipe? You’ve found it. This cream cheese buttercream frosting strikes an ideal balance between the rich tanginess of real cream cheese and the smooth, spreadable texture of classic American buttercream. Unlike thinner cream cheese icings that slide off your layers, this frosting pipes beautifully and holds its shape on everything from cupcakes to three-layer celebration cakes.
The beauty of this cream cheese buttercream frosting lies in its simplicity. You need just five quality ingredients, ten minutes, and an electric mixer. What makes it truly special is how the flavors develop—the sweetness of powdered sugar plays perfectly against the subtle tang of cream cheese, creating complexity that tastes anything but basic. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a kitchen novice, mastering this cream cheese buttercream frosting recipe opens doors to endless cake decorating possibilities. Ready to create frosting that rivals the bakery? Let’s begin.
Table of Contents
Easy cream cheese buttercream frosting recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 3 cups (24–30 servings) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Master our easy cream cheese buttercream frosting recipe. Learn how to make silky smooth, pipeable frosting perfect for cakes and cupcakes in minutes. This 5-ingredient frosting combines room temperature cream cheese and butter for sophisticated flavor and beautiful texture. Discover the secrets to preventing lumps, achieving perfect consistency, and creating professional-looking designs that impress every time.
Ingredients
8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
4 cups (455 grams) powdered sugar, sifted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract (pure vanilla recommended)
1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Remove cream cheese and butter from refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 45-60 minutes until soft throughout
In a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat softened butter for about 30 seconds until creamy and light
Reduce mixer speed to medium and add room-temperature cream cheese, beating for 2 minutes until completely combined with no lumps visible
Stop frequently to scrape down the sides of the bowl, ensuring even distribution throughout the mixture
Switch to low speed and add sifted powdered sugar gradually in four additions, mixing completely after each addition
Once powdered sugar is mostly incorporated, add vanilla extract and salt to the mixture
Scrape the bowl frequently to ensure nothing hides at the bottom and all ingredients are evenly distributed
Turn mixer to medium speed and beat for 1-2 minutes until the frosting reaches a light, fluffy consistency
Stop beating immediately once it becomes fluffy – overmixing can thin the frosting and make it grainy
Notes
Room Temperature Ingredients: Cold ingredients create lumps and prevent smooth blending. Always soften cream cheese and butter completely before mixing.
Storage Tips: Refrigerate covered in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Freeze for up to 3 months. Allow to come to room temperature before using, then re-whip briefly.
Make Ahead: Prepare this frosting up to 24 hours in advance. Store covered at room temperature (65-70°F) for up to 2 hours, or refrigerate for longer storage.
Piping Consistency: If frosting seems too soft after mixing, refrigerate for 15-20 minutes, then re-whip on low speed for 30 seconds to restore perfect texture.
Flavor Variations: Add lemon juice for tang, cocoa powder for chocolate, maple syrup for autumn flavor, or ground cinnamon for spice.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Frosting
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 165
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 32mg
Keywords: cream cheese buttercream frosting recipe, cream cheese frosting, buttercream, frosting recipe, homemade frosting, cake frosting
What You’ll Need for Perfect cream cheese buttercream frosting recipe
The magic behind excellent cream cheese buttercream frosting recipe lies in using quality ingredients at the right temperature. This cream cheese buttercream frosting recipe yields approximately 3 cups, perfect for frosting a single layer 8-inch cake or 12 cupcakes.
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cream Cheese (brick-style) | 8 ounces (226g) | Full-fat only; must be softened to room temperature |
| Unsalted Butter | ½ cup (113g) | Room temperature for smooth blending |
| Powdered Sugar | 4 cups (455g) | Sifted to prevent lumps |
| Vanilla Extract | 2 teaspoons | Pure vanilla for best flavor |
| Salt | ½ teaspoon | Enhances sweetness and flavor balance |
Ingredient Quality Matters: When selecting cream cheese, always reach for full-fat brick-style cream cheese (typically Philadelphia brand or store equivalent). Spreadable cream cheese or low-fat varieties contain higher water content, which compromises your cream cheese buttercream frosting consistency. Similarly, unsalted butter gives you complete flavor control—salted butter can create an unpredictable outcome since salt content varies between brands.
How to Make Silky Smooth cream cheese buttercream frosting recipe
Creating perfect cream cheese buttercream frosting recipe requires attention to technique. Follow these steps precisely for restaurant-quality results:
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Remove cream cheese and butter from the refrigerator. Let them sit at room temperature for 45-60 minutes. Cold ingredients create lumps; room temperature ingredients blend seamlessly. Sift your powdered sugar into a separate bowl to eliminate any clumps that can disrupt your final frosting texture.
Step 2: Beat the Butter
In a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the softened butter for about 30 seconds until it becomes creamy and light. This initial beating incorporates air, which contributes to your frosting’s fluffy texture.
Step 3: Add Cream Cheese Gradually
Reduce mixer speed to medium and add the room-temperature cream cheese. Beat for about 2 minutes until the cream cheese and butter are completely combined with no lumps visible. Stop frequently to scrape down the bowl sides, ensuring even distribution.
Step 4: Incorporate Powdered Sugar and Vanilla
Switch to low speed and add powdered sugar gradually in four additions, mixing completely after each addition. Once powdered sugar is mostly incorporated, add vanilla extract and salt. Scrape bowl frequently to ensure nothing hides at the bottom.
Step 5: Final Whipping
Turn mixer to medium speed and beat for 1-2 minutes until your cream cheese buttercream frosting reaches a light, fluffy consistency. Stop beating once it becomes fluffy—overmixing can thin the frosting and make it grainy.
Pro Tip: If your cream cheese buttercream frosting seems too soft after mixing, refrigerate it for 15-20 minutes, then give it a quick re-mix on low speed for 30 seconds to restore perfect texture.
Master Your Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting recipe with These Professional Techniques
Avoiding Common Mistakes with Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting recipe
The most frequent error bakers make involves using cold ingredients. Your cream cheese buttercream frosting recipe absolutely requires room-temperature cream cheese and butter. Cold ingredients won’t blend smoothly, resulting in small cream cheese chunks throughout your frosting.
Another pitfall involves overmixing. Once your cream cheese buttercream frosting reaches fluffy perfection, stop mixing immediately. Excessive mixing breaks down cream cheese proteins, causing your frosting to become thin and grainy—potentially ruining your entire batch.
Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting recipe Variations
This versatile cream cheese buttercream frosting recipe adapts beautifully to different flavors:
Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting: Add 1½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice and ½ teaspoon lemon zest for brightness that complements red velvet or vanilla cakes perfectly.
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting: Sift 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder into your powdered sugar before adding it to the cream cheese buttercream frosting. This creates rich chocolate flavor without adding liquid.
Maple Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat in 2-3 tablespoons pure maple syrup for fall-inspired cake decorating. Reduce powdered sugar by 2 tablespoons to compensate for extra liquid.
Berry Cream Cheese Frosting: Fold in ½ cup fruit jam or ¾ cup freeze-dried berries (ground into powder) for fruity variations that work beautifully with carrot cake or vanilla cakes.
Spice Cream Cheese Frosting: Add 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice for cakes celebrating autumn flavors.
Nutritional Values for Your Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting recipe
This cream cheese buttercream frosting recipe makes approximately 3 cups (serving size: 2 tablespoons).
| Nutrient | Per 2 Tablespoon Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 165 |
| Total Fat | 11g |
| Saturated Fat | 7g |
| Unsaturated Fat | 3.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 32mg |
| Sodium | 85mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 16g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Sugars | 15g |
| Protein | 0.5g |
| Calcium | 25mg |
| Iron | 0mg |
Using Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting recipe in Your Recipes
A standard 2-layer 8-inch cake requires approximately 2 cups of cream cheese buttercream frosting. For frosting and filling both layers, plan on using about ¾ cup between layers and 1¼ cups for the exterior. One dozen cupcakes need about 1½ cups total when using a standard piping tip.
Note: Nutritional information is calculated using standard ingredients and serves as an estimate. Actual values vary based on specific brands and measuring methods.
Storing Your Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting recipe Properly
One major advantage of cream cheese buttercream frosting recipe over other cream cheese icings is its stability. Because of the high butter content, this frosting maintains texture better at room temperature than traditional cream cheese frosting.
Room Temperature Storage
Your cream cheese buttercream frosting recipe stays fresh and spreadable at cool room temperature (65-70°F) for up to 2 hours. This makes it perfect for decorating during a baking session or small gathering. If your kitchen runs warmer, refrigerate after one hour.
Refrigerator Storage
Store covered cream cheese buttercream frosting recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The frosting will firm up considerably when cold. Before using, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then re-whip using an electric mixer on low speed for 30-60 seconds until smooth and spreadable again.
Freezer Storage
Cream cheese buttercream frosting freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Place it in an airtight, freezer-safe container, leaving ½-inch headspace for expansion. Label with the date for easy tracking.
Thawing Frozen Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting recipe
Transfer your frozen frosting to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw overnight (approximately 8-12 hours). Never thaw at room temperature as this can create temperature inconsistencies within the frosting. Once thawed, bring to room temperature (30 minutes) and re-whip on low speed.
Frosted Cakes and Cupcakes
Cakes frosted with cream cheese buttercream frosting must stay refrigerated. A frosted cake remains fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days when properly covered. For serving, remove from refrigeration 30-45 minutes before cutting for best flavor and texture.
Leftover Frosting
Don’t discard leftover frosting! Covered airtight in the refrigerator, leftover cream cheese buttercream frosting keeps for one week. Use it to frost additional cupcakes, pipe simple decorations on brownies, or swirl into cream cheese dips.
Creative Ways to Use Your Homemade Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting
Cream cheese buttercream frosting recipe isn’t limited to cakes and cupcakes. This versatile frosting works beautifully across countless dessert applications, adding sophisticated tang and creamy texture wherever you need it.
Perfect Cake Pairings
Cream cheese buttercream frosting shines on several classic cake varieties. Red velvet cake with cream cheese buttercream frosting creates the ultimate celebration dessert—the frosting’s tanginess perfectly complements the cake’s subtle cocoa and buttermilk notes. Carrot cake topped with cream cheese buttercream frosting feels like autumn in every bite. Pumpkin cake with cream cheese buttercream frosting makes an incredible fall gathering centerpiece. Spice cake becomes extraordinary when frosted with cream cheese buttercream frosting, while chocolate layer cake gets sophisticated depth from this frosting’s tang.
Cupcake Creations
Pipe your cream cheese buttercream frosting onto vanilla, chocolate, or lemon cupcakes using star tips for elegant swirls. The frosting’s stability means your piped cupcakes maintain beautiful shape from bakery to table.
Beyond Traditional Desserts
Spread cream cheese buttercream frosting onto cinnamon rolls for an elevated morning treat. Use it as a filling between two sugar cookies for delightful sandwich cookies. Dollop onto brownies for instant elegance. Top fruit tarts or cheesecake bites with this frosting for special occasions.
Seasonal Applications
Valentine’s Day chocolate cakes, Easter bunny-shaped cakes, summer birthday parties, and winter holiday celebrations all benefit from cream cheese buttercream frosting’s versatility. Tint it pink for Valentine’s desserts, pastel colors for spring, or classic white for winter celebrations.
Pairing with Beverages
Serve cakes frosted with cream cheese buttercream frosting alongside hot coffee for morning celebrations. Pair with cold milk for afternoon tea time. Match with champagne or dessert wine for evening celebrations.
Common Questions About Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting Answered
Can I make buttercream with cream cheese?
Absolutely! Creating buttercream with cream cheese is simpler than most bakers think. The key difference between traditional buttercream and cream cheese buttercream involves ratios. Regular buttercream uses only butter; cream cheese buttercream blends butter with cream cheese for a tangier, more sophisticated flavor. The method remains essentially identical—cream your fat source (butter in this case), gradually add powdered sugar, then incorporate your flavoring agents. The cream cheese buttercream frosting you create will be slightly less stable than pure butter buttercream but far superior in flavor complexity.
What is the difference between cream cheese frosting and cream cheese buttercream?
Cream cheese frosting (often called cream cheese icing) typically contains a higher proportion of cream cheese to butter and usually has a thinner, looser consistency. It’s perfect for drizzling over cinnamon rolls or spreading on carrot cake with a knife. Cream cheese buttercream frosting, conversely, contains more butter relative to cream cheese, creating a thicker, sturdier frosting that pipes beautifully and holds shape on layer cakes. If a recipe calls for cream cheese frosting for piping or stacking, you want the buttercream version.
Can I use cream cheese instead of butter for frosting?
While you could make a frosting using only cream cheese, it won’t work well for traditional frosting applications. Pure cream cheese frosting is too soft for piping or stacking cakes, and it weeps (releases liquid) at room temperature. The butter component in cream cheese buttercream frosting provides stability that pure cream cheese can’t offer. For best results, use the cream cheese and butter combination as directed.
How much cream cheese to add to buttercream?
For standard cream cheese buttercream frosting, use a 1:2 ratio of cream cheese to butter by weight. This means for every 8 ounces of cream cheese, use 4 ounces butter. This ratio creates a frosting that’s distinctly tangy without becoming too soft. For even creamier frosting, increase cream cheese to 50% of the total fat, but know this will require additional powdered sugar for stability. For tangier frosting, increase cream cheese proportion slightly, but monitor texture carefully.
Explore More Frosting and Cake Recipes from Cora
Discover the perfect companion recipes to complement your cream cheese buttercream frosting:
- Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting – The classic pairing that celebrates special occasions. This elegant cake with its subtle cocoa notes pairs perfectly with our cream cheese buttercream frosting recipe for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or whenever you want to impress.
- Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting – Transform carrot cake into individual servings. These moist, spiced cupcakes showcase how beautifully cream cheese buttercream frosting complements warm spice cake flavors. Perfect for spring celebrations and Easter gatherings.
- Classic Vanilla Cake with Smooth Frosting – The ultimate blank canvas for your frosting creativity. This reliable vanilla cake serves as the foundation for countless frosting variations, allowing your cream cheese buttercream frosting to truly shine.
- Chocolate Layer Cake – Rich, fudgy chocolate layers achieve perfection when paired with tangy cream cheese buttercream frosting. This sophisticated combination impresses at any gathering.
- Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting – Move beyond traditional sugar cookies by sandwiching cream cheese buttercream frosting between two cookies for elegant treats that transport frosting into new territory.
- Pumpkin Spice Cake – Celebrate autumn with pumpkin cake topped with cinnamon-spiced cream cheese buttercream frosting. The combination captures fall flavors beautifully.
- Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting – Give breakfast a luxury upgrade by topping warm cinnamon rolls with our smooth cream cheese buttercream frosting recipe.
- Lemon Layer Cake – Bright, zesty lemon cake finds its perfect match in lemon-enhanced cream cheese buttercream frosting. This combination feels fresh and elegant year-round.
Cora’s Community: How Our Family and Friends Love This Recipe
“This cream cheese buttercream frosting recipe changed my baking life! I’ve made it for three birthday cakes now, and everyone asks for my secret. The texture is perfect—not too soft, not too hard. My kids actually asked for more frosting with their cake slices!” – Jennifer M., Texas
“Finally, a cream cheese buttercream frosting that doesn’t turn grainy! I followed the tip about room temperature ingredients, and it was absolutely smooth and beautiful. Used it on red velvet cupcakes for my daughter’s school bake sale, and they sold out first!” – Marcus D., California
“My grandmother always made frosting by feel, never measurements. This cream cheese buttercream frosting recipe finally gives me the structure I needed to recreate her magic. Thank you for sharing what makes this special!” – Sofia R., New York
Share Your Results!
Have you made this cream cheese buttercream frosting recipe? I’d genuinely love to hear about your experience! Did you try a flavor variation? Successfully pipe beautiful swirls? Overcome a frosting challenge? Drop your comments below—your feedback and creative adaptations inspire our entire baking community. Tag us on social media @CoraRecipe when you share photos of your cream cheese buttercream frosting creations. Which cake variation did you pair with this frosting? Your suggestions might inspire our next recipe feature!