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Creamy Fluffy Cheese Topping

Featured in: Desserts to Satisfy Every Craving

Whip softened cheese with butter until airy. Add powdered sugar gradually, mix in vanilla and tiny bit of salt. Keep mixing until creamy and thick. Apply to cakes while soft. Covers one large cake or twelve cupcakes.

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Updated on Mon, 21 Apr 2025 17:35:37 GMT
A plate of vanilla cupcakes topped with swirls of white frosting and garnished with fresh raspberries. Pin it
A plate of vanilla cupcakes topped with swirls of white frosting and garnished with fresh raspberries. | cookingkitchn.com

Ever wondered how to whip up a cream cheese frosting that makes your baked goods taste amazing? My family's been using this formula for decades, and I can't wait to let you in on it! It's the perfect topping for everything from carrot cake to red velvet treats, creating something wonderful each time you make it.

What Makes This Topping Stand Out

Hunting for cream cheese frosting that'll blow your mind? You've found it! This stuff has a delightful tanginess that regular buttercream just can't match, making you crave another bite. You can spread it, pipe it, or just grab a spoon and enjoy it right from the mixing bowl (your secret's safe with me!).

Ingredients List

  • Cream Cheese: Two 8-oz blocks at room temperature, full-fat only - they're the foundation
  • Butter: One stick (1/2 cup), softened and unsalted
  • Powdered Sugar: 4 cups, run through a sifter for smoothness
  • Vanilla: 2 teaspoons of the pure stuff
  • Salt: A tiny pinch to cut through sweetness

Simple Preparation Steps

Prep Your Ingredients
Take cream cheese and butter out about an hour ahead - warm ingredients blend much better.
Blend The Base
Whip cream cheese with butter until completely smooth and creamy, usually taking around 2-3 minutes.
Enhance The Taste
Drop in vanilla and that small pinch of salt. Don't skip these - they really transform the flavor.
Sweeten Gradually
Pour in sifted sugar one cup at a time. Keep mixer speed low to avoid a sugar cloud explosion! Mix until you get a fluffy, smooth texture.
Make Adjustments
Sample your creation and tweak if needed. Need it firmer? More sugar works. Too sweet? Try a bit more salt.

The Science Behind It

This frosting nails the perfect mix of sweet and tangy flavors. It's all about getting the cream cheese to butter ratio just right. Too much butter makes it overly sweet, and too much cream cheese turns it too tangy. Our measurements hit the bullseye every single time.

Keeping It Fresh

Store your frosting properly to maintain quality. It'll stay good in the refrigerator up to a week if you keep it in something airtight. Before using, let it sit out roughly 30 minutes, then give it a quick stir to bring back its smooth, creamy nature.

Expert Advice

Want perfect results? Always go for solid block full-fat cream cheese - the tub stuff can make everything too loose. And don't rush the warming up process! Cold ingredients are your worst enemy when you're after smooth, lump-free frosting.

Perfecting Your Consistency

If your mix seems too runny for detailed work, stick it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes. Need it thicker without extra sweetness? Try adding a tablespoon of cornstarch - it firms things up wonderfully without changing the taste.

A banana bread slice covered with rich frosting and chopped nuts, presented on a blue decorative plate next to fresh bananas. Pin it
A banana bread slice covered with rich frosting and chopped nuts, presented on a blue decorative plate next to fresh bananas. | cookingkitchn.com

Creative Finishing Touches

This frosting works beautifully for decorating when it's just the right coolness. For cupcakes, grab a large round tip to make those perfect swirls. Working on a layer cake? A flat spatula helps get super smooth sides. Just remember to work in a cool spot - warm hands can quickly soften your frosting too much.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make it ahead?

Stays good a week refrigerated. Wrap it tightly. Let it soften before using. Give it a quick whip. Fresh is always better.

→ How to make it less sweet?

Cut down the sugar. Add it slowly, taste as you go. You can't fix too sweet once it's done. Better to start with less. Easy to adjust.

→ Can I color it?

Add a couple drops of gel coloring. Mix thoroughly. Use sparingly. Gel types work better. Watch it doesn't turn runny.

→ Can I make it dairy-free?

Non-dairy cheese alternatives work. Plant-based butter too. Might end up softer though. Try different brands. Still spreads nicely.

→ Why is mine too runny?

Add more sugar. Beat it longer. Keep ingredients cold. Don't let it warm up. Gets thick fast.

→ How to fix graininess?

Beat it longer. Slightly warm the cheese. Sift your sugar beforehand. Scrape down sides often. The extra time pays off.

→ Can I transport it?

Keep it cold during travel. Bring piping tools along. Pack an extra bag. Effort is worth it. Decorate when you arrive.

→ Need a quick version?

Use room temperature ingredients. Brief mixing works. Single bowl is fine. Still needs proper mixing. Short wait is worth it.

→ Can I make extra?

Doubling works well. You'll need bigger bowls. Watch your mixing time. Keep everything cold. Lasts a week stored properly.

→ How to add more flavor?

Add extra vanilla. Try a drop of almond. Lemon tastes great too. Mint can work nicely. Don't overpower the cheese flavor.

→ Too soft for decorating?

Chill it briefly. Maybe add extra sugar. Keep ingredients cold. Mix a bit longer. Patience really helps.

→ Can't get rid of lumps?

Let cheese soften more. Sift your powdered sugar. Mix longer. Strain if needed. Start with soft ingredients.

Conclusion

Enjoy this? Put it on carrot cake sometime. Or try it with red velvet. They're both perfect matches.

Fluffy Cheese Cake Topping

Whipped this up when my cake needed a quick finish. Combined the cheese with butter until creamy, tossed in sugar and bam - my dessert looked amazing!

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
10 Minutes
By: Sophia

Category: Sweet Delights

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 24 cupcakes or 1 8" or 9" two-layer cake

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 ½ cup soft unsalted butter at room temperature (113g).
02 8 oz softened block cream cheese, not the spread type (226g).
03 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract.
04 ¼ teaspoon fine salt.
05 4 cups confectioners' sugar (500g).

Instructions

Step 01

Put your room temperature butter and cream cheese in your stand mixer bowl or regular bowl if using a handheld mixer. Beat them together until you get a smooth, creamy mix with no lumps at all.

Step 02

Stir in the vanilla and salt until they're fully mixed through the creamy base.

Step 03

Turn your mixer to low and add the confectioners' sugar bit by bit. Keep mixing until everything looks smooth and your frosting has that perfect, fluffy texture.

Step 04

Spread this frosting on your cooled cake or cupcakes. It's firm enough to make pretty designs and won't slide off.

Notes

  1. The texture holds up well for fancy decorating work.
  2. If you want it less sweet, you can cut back to as little as two cups of sugar.
  3. When your frosting seems too stiff, just add a tiny splash of milk or cream.
  4. For the fanciest piping work with small tips, you might want to sift your sugar first.

Tools You'll Need

  • Stand mixer or hand-held electric mixer.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 146
  • Total Fat: 7 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 20 g
  • Protein: 1 g