Easy Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting

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 Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies! 

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

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.

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.

Helpful Kitchen Tools

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• KitchenAid Mixer - or any stand mixer will do. You can also use a hand-held mixer. You need the speed from an electric mixer to help make sure everything blends properly.
• Sifter - you definitely want to sift the powdered sugar before adding it to the softened cream cheese and butter to make sure there are no lumps.
• Off=set spatula or disposable decorating bags to spread the frosting.

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Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients

Be sure to see the recipe card for exact quantities, detailed instructions and special notes.

• Cream cheese, softened
• Unsalted butter, softened
• Powdered sugar, sifted
• Vanilla extract

Directions

In a large mixing bowl add cream cheese, and beat until smooth.

Add in butter, and beat butter until smooth.

Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing in between each addition. Make sure you beat until everything is smooth.

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.

How to Store Homemade Frosting

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.

How to use Homemade Frosting

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.

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!

Ready to use this frosting?

• Patriotic Cupcakes
• Bridal Shower Cupcakes
• Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
• Cinnamon Rolls made with Frozen Bread Dough