Smooth, rich, and ready in just 10 minutes
There’s nothing quite like a silky, homemade cream cheese frosting. With its rich tang, buttery smoothness, and cloud-like texture, this classic topping turns any dessert into something unforgettable. Whether you’re frosting cupcakes, layering cakes, or adding a creamy swirl to sweet breads, this recipe delivers perfect balance — not too sweet, not too dense, and wonderfully easy to pipe. With just five simple ingredients and a 10-minute prep, it’s a go-to treat-maker for busy bakers, celebration days, or whenever those sweet cravings call. 🎂✨
PrintBest Cream Cheese Frosting
A smooth, rich cream cheese frosting made with five simple ingredients. Perfect for cakes, cupcakes, and all your favorite desserts.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 24 cupcakes 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon salt
4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
1. Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth.
2. Mix in vanilla and salt.
3. Gradually add powdered sugar on low speed.
4. Beat until frosting is creamy and thick.
5. Use to frost cooled cupcakes or cakes.
Notes
Use full-fat brick cream cheese for best texture.
Soften ingredients before mixing.
Sift powdered sugar for thicker, smoother frosting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 frosted cupcake
- Calories: 146
- Sugar: 20
- Sodium: 56
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 3
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 1
- Cholesterol: 21
Preparation Time
Preparation: 10 minutes
Cooking: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 24 cupcakes
Ingredients
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
8 oz cream cheese, softened (brick-style)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon salt
4 cups powdered sugar
Required Utensils
This recipe doesn’t require any fancy equipment — just a few basic utensils for easy, stress-free cooking.
Stand mixer or hand mixer
Mixing bowl
Measuring cups and spoons
Rubber spatula
Piping bag and tip (optional)
Preparation Steps (Beginner-Friendly)
- Add softened butter and cream cheese to a mixing bowl. Beat on medium speed until smooth, creamy, and free of lumps. The mixture should look pale and fluffy.
- Mix in the vanilla extract and salt until fully combined.
- With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the powdered sugar. Blend slowly at first to avoid a sugar cloud, then increase speed as it thickens.
- Continue mixing until the frosting becomes silky, thick, and spreadable. The texture should hold soft peaks and look glossy. 🎂
- Frost your completely cooled cupcakes or cake using a spatula or piping bag. Enjoy every creamy, sweet swirl! 💛
Chef’s Tips
Use full-fat brick-style cream cheese for the smoothest texture.
Let butter and cream cheese soften fully before mixing to avoid lumps.
For extra-thick frosting, sift powdered sugar first.
Adjust sweetness easily — more powdered sugar for thicker, sweeter frosting, or less for a tangier taste.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1 frosted cupcake
Calories: 146 kcal
Protein: 1 g
Carbs: 20 g
Fat: 7 g
Fiber: 0 g
Sugar: 20 g