How to Make Cream Cheese Topping for Cupcakes
Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting
by Annalise May 25, 2018 (updated February 4, 2020)
This is the lightest and creamiest (aka the BEST) cream cheese buttercream frosting! Perfect for frosting cakes, cupcakes, and more.
I'm usually a classic vanilla buttercream gal, but I'm finding more and more that cream cheese frosting is what I'm craving on my cakes and cupcakes. It's like traditional buttercream, but with a delicious sweet and tangy flavor, and a lot more elegance.
This easy 5-ingredient cream cheese frosting is creamy, super light, and ultra rich. And it's the perfect way to dress up a cake, a batch of cupcakes, your favorite sugar cookies, and more!
Ingredients You'll Need
- Cream cheese— use only full-fat brick cream cheese for the best flavor, not reduced fat cream cheese or cream cheese spread
- Butter
- Powdered sugar— sift it after measuring for the smoothest and silkiest texture
- Salt
- Vanilla extract
How to Make Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting
This recipe couldn't be easier, just combine all of the ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat it for 4-5 minutes until smooth, light and creamy. You can also make this frosting with a hand-held mixer and a large bowl.
Cream Cheese Frosting FAQ
Here's a few tips to help you have the most success with this recipe:
How to quickly soften cream cheese
No one likes cream cheese lumps! And you get lumps when your cream cheese is still cold. Ideally, you should remove the cream cheese from the fridge and let it come to room temperature on the counter for a few hours, but sometimes you forget or don't have the time. It happens. Here are a few ways to warm it up quickly:
- Remove cream cheese from packaging and cut into cubes. Microwave for 10-15 seconds.
- Leave cream cheese sealed in foil packaging and place in a bowl. Cover with warm water and let sit for 10-15 minutes.
Does cream cheese frosting need to be refrigerated?
Here's what I recommend— if the frosting will be consumed within the day, you're fine to leave it at room temperature. The high amount of sugar should keep bacteria growth at bay for at least that long. However, if you're making it ahead, or using the frosting on a dessert that will be enjoyed over several days, it's best to keep it in the fridge.
Cream cheese buttercream is also softer than a lot of other frosting, so it's smart to keep it in the fridge to keep it firm and prevent it from melting. This is especially helpful during the summer or if you have a warm kitchen.
Can I freeze cream cheese frosting?
Cream cheese frosting can be stored in the fridge for a few days and in the freezer for up to a month. Bring to room temperature and beat with an electric mixer until smooth before using.
Uses for Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting
This frosting is so versatile! It's delicious on pretty much everything, but here are a few of my faves:
- Sweet Potato Spice Cake
- Fresh Strawberry Layer Cake
- Red Velvet Cupcakes
- Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
- Gingerbread Layer Cake
- Blueberry Muffin Cupcakes
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Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting
Servings: 4 cups
Prep Time: 7 mins
Total Time: 7 mins
This is the lightest and creamiest cream cheese frosting! Perfect for frosting cakes, cupcakes, and more.
- 8 ounces cream cheese (1 brick, 226 grams), softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick, 113 grams), softened to room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar (455 grams), sifted
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
-
Beat the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt with an electric mixer on low until combined.
-
Turn speed up to high and beat for 4-5 minutes until smooth, light, and creamy.
Make ahead: Buttercream can be stored in the fridge for 1 week and in the freezer for at least a month. Let come to room temperature and beat until smooth before using.
Calories: 870 kcal , Carbohydrates: 122 g , Protein: 4 g , Fat: 42 g , Saturated Fat: 26 g , Cholesterol: 123 mg , Sodium: 478 mg , Potassium: 78 mg , Sugar: 119 g , Vitamin A: 1471 IU , Calcium: 62 mg , Iron: 1 mg
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
baking simplified 4 Baking Tips the Pros Know
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How to Make Cream Cheese Topping for Cupcakes
Source: https://www.completelydelicious.com/cream-cheese-buttercream-frosting/