Creamy, rich Easy Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting requires only 4 ingredients. Let me show you how to make this classic homemade frosting that’s perfect for cupcakes, cakes, muffins or even cookies.
Check out all the other Easy Desserts that you can use this delicious homemade frosting on!
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Homemade cream cheese frosting is a delicious and versatile topping that can be used for any type of cake or cupcake.
This creamy, tangy frosting is made with just a few simple ingredients, including cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
It's easy to make and can be customized it by using food coloring to decorate a fun birthday or holiday cake. Once you try making this frosting from scratch, you'll never want to go back to store-bought again!
You can also use this homemade cream cheese frosting recipe for a few of my Best Cinnamon Roll Recipes or my family's Peach Birthday Cake Recipe.
Table of Contents
Homemade Frosting
One of the easiest ways to dress up a boxed cake mix is to use homemade frosting. I list that as one of my 5 Cake Mix Baking Secrets and Printable to help you make more delicious cake mix recipes.
A few of my favorite homemade frosting recipes already on the blog are:
- Homemade Chocolate Frosting
- Coconut Pecan Frosting
- Homemade Chocolate Ganache
- Crusting Cream Cheese Buttercream
- Pumpkin Flavored Cream Cheese Frosting made for my Homemade Pumpkin Bundt Cake Recipe.
I use all the above homemade frosting recipes on recipes that start out with a cake mix. It really does make a boxed cake recipe taste like it came from a bakery.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
Battery Operated Electric Flour Sifter For Baking -More InformationAngled Icing SpatulaMore InformationPiping Bag and Tips Cake Decorating Supplies KitMore Information8-Piece Frosting Bulb Decorating KitMore InformationIndividual Cupcake Container - Single Compartment Cupcake CarrierMore Information3-Tier Cupcake Dessert Stand, WhiteMore Information
Main Ingredients Needed
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
Step-by-Step Directions
This section includes step-by-step photos and instructions to guide you through the recipe. For the complete printable version, scroll down to the recipe card below.
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl add cream cheese, and beat until smooth. Add in butter, and beat butter until smooth.
Step 2: Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing in between each addition. Make sure you beat until everything is smooth.
Step 3: Now, add the vanilla and beat until smooth. Look how beautiful the frosting is! It's the perfect consistency to spread of pipe on top of cupcakes, muffins or a cake.
Storage Tips
- Store leftovers in refrigerator for up to 3-4 days in an air-tight container or in the freezer for up to one month.
- But what about a frosted cake? Well, according to Cooking Light Magazine, "if you’re going to eat the cake in the next day or two and your house stays around 70 degrees or cooler, it should be fine to sit on the counter."
- However, if it's summertime and the temperatures are warm, you should store a cake in the refrigerator.
Serving Tips
- This recipe will be enough to frost one bundt or sheet cake or one recipe of cupcakes or muffins.
- You can add the cream cheese frosting to a piping bag to easily swirl on top of the cupcakes.
Top Tip
- You can also use an off-set spatula to spread the cream cheese frosting on top of cupcakes, muffins or a cake.
Cream Cheese Frosting Flavors
Cream Cheese Frosting is delicious just as it is, but did you know you can take it to a whole new level by adding different flavorings?
- Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting - add 1 teaspoon lemon extract.
- Maple Cream Cheese Frosting - add a few tablespoons pure maple syrup.
- Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Frosting - add ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice.
- Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting - add ½ teaspoon peppermint extract and for a fun touch, you can add crushed peppermint candies!
More Recipes to Love
- Patriotic Cupcakes
- Bridal Shower Cupcakes
- Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
- Red Velvet 4th of July Cake
- Cinnamon Rolls made with Frozen Bread Dough
📖 Recipe Card
Easy Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
- 2 8 oz packages cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
- 6-8 cups powdered sugar sifted
- 1-2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Method
- In a large mixing bowl add cream cheese, and beat until smooth.
- Add in butter, an beat butter until smooth.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing in between each addition.
- Beat until smooth.
- Then add the vanilla and continue to beat until smooth.
- Use to frost completely cooled cake, cupcakes or muffins.
Nutrition
Notes
- This is the amount for a layered cake or a large amount of cupcakes. You can cut the recipe in half if needed for a smaller amount.
- Cover and store leftover frosting for up to 3-4 days in an air-tight container or up to 3 months in the freezer.
Karins Kottage says
Cream cheese frosting is by all time favorite frosting! I love the idea of adding in other flavors like maple! Such a great idea! I would love to have you come join us on my blog for Centerpiece Wednesday and share your post. See you over there!
Karin