Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting
Every home baker needs a go-to Cream Cheese Frosting recipe! This one is the best because it’s so light and fluffy with only a handful of ingredients. And the not-too-sweet, buttery vanilla flavor and pipeable consistency make it perfect to decorate your favorite treats for birthdays or any occasion.
Delicious Details
- Cuisine Inspiration: American
- Primary Cooking Method: No-cook
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free. Dairy-free option
- Skill Level: Easy
Cream cheese frosting has a tangy flavor that makes it a perfect alternative to your basic vanilla buttercream. It balances out desserts like chocolate cakes (try it on this Gluten Free Chocolate Pumpkin Cake). And cream cheese icing is also a classic to decorate carrot cake or red velvet cake.
Keep this homemade frosting recipe in your back pocket because it is incredibly versatile and so easy to make. The canned stuff just can’t compete.
What Makes Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting So Good?
Here’s why you’ll be making frosting from scratch from now on:
- So simple. This vanilla cream cheese frosting requires just five ingredients (one of them is even optional!), and one bowl.
- Easy to work with. Whether you’re using a butter knife, an offset spatula, or a pastry bag with piping tips, you can make a beautifully decorated cake or adorable cupcakes topped with sweet and creamy vanilla frosting. Keep reading for my tips for perfect piping or spreading.
- Sets up nicely. You won’t have to worry about melting drips, runny frosting, or things not holding their shape. This cream cheese frosting sets up nicely so your baked treat looks great from the moment it’s made until you dig in.
Recipe Ingredients
Here’s an overview of what you need to make this simple, fluffy cream cheese frosting, plus some ingredient notes and additional tips further down. The full amounts you’ll need and detailed instructions are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Butter. Use unsalted butter softened to room temperature for easy blending.
- Cream cheese. Full-fat cream cheese will give the best flavor, but light works. Do NOT use fat free!
- Powdered sugar. Regular granulated sugar can add a gritty, grainy texture to your frosting. I also recommend sifting your powdered sugar if it is lumpy so that you end up with the smoothest frosting.
- Vanilla extract. Use pure vanilla for the best flavor. If you want a pure white color, make sure to use clear vanilla extract.
- Lemon juice. This is optional, but it adds a touch of brightness to balance out the richness of this sweet frosting.
Variations
You can flavor this cream cheese icing in many different ways by using ingredient add-ins to match or complement the flavor of your cake or cupcakes. Here are some of my favorite ways to flavor this frosting:
- Dairy-free frosting: replace the cream cheese and butter with vegan alternatives.
- Chocolate frosting: add 1/4 cup cocoa powder with the powdered sugar.
- Coconut cream cheese frosting: swap the vanilla extract for coconut extract and add coconut shavings to decorate your cake.
- Strawberry frosting: fold 1/4 cup strawberry preserves into the frosting at the end.
- Orange cream cheese frosting: swap the vanilla for 1 teaspoon of orange zest.
- Homemade funfetti frosting: fold rainbow sprinkles into the frosting at the end. Just be sure they are gluten free, if needed! Read more about gluten free sprinkles!
- Mint frosting: use mint extract instead of vanilla.
- Coffee: add 1 tablespoon (or more, to taste) instant espresso powder.
How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting
Follow these steps to make this easy vanilla frosting:
- Blend the butter: In a mixing bowl, use an electric hand mixer or stand mixer, blend the softened butter until light and fluffy.
- Add the cream cheese: Mix in the cream cheese, vanilla, and lemon juice.
- Add the sugar: Turn the mixer to low speed and slowly add the powdered sugar. Increase the speed, and continue to mix until you have a smooth, thick frosting.
Tips for the Best Cream Cheese Frosting
Here are a few things to keep in mind to make sure your frosting comes out perfectly:
- Use room-temperature cream cheese and butter for the easiest blending and fluffiest texture. And don’t rush the first step of whipping the butter!
- You can omit the lemon juice if you like, but it adds a nice bright touch to cut through the sweetness.
- If it’s a little too sweet, add a small pinch of salt.
- Make sure you let your baked goods cool fully before you use the frosting, otherwise it might melt right off.
- For added flavor, you can fold in powdered freeze-dried fruit or a fruit puree. This will also add a beautiful color. You can also scroll back up to check out al of my variation ideas.
- For added color, add a few drops of food coloring. Use gel food coloring for a more intense color.
Proper Storage
Refrigerate leftover cream cheese frosting in an airtight container for up to two weeks. This is a great make-ahead recipe if you’re baking for a crowd. Just be sure to refrigerate it within two hours to prevent it from spoiling. Before using the frosting, let it come to room temperature. You may also want to fluff it up by re-whipping with a mixer.
Can I Freeze Leftover Cream Cheese Frosting?
Yes, you can freeze this frosting for longer storage. Keep it in an airtight container or zip-top bag for up to one month. When you’re ready to use it, let the frosting thaw overnight in the fridge, then bring it to room temperature. You may need to mix the frosting with an electric mixer to give it a fluffier texture before using it to frost anything.
How to Pipe Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting
The texture of this frosting is perfect for piping. It holds its shape well, so it will make you look like a pro regardless of your cupcake decorating skills. Grab yourself a basic and inexpensive cake decorating kit with various piping tips and more, and you’ll be ready to go. To pipe frosting on a cake or cupcakes:
- Open a large plastic zip-top bag or piping bag. If you’re using a tip, fix the tip onto the bag. A star tip is a great choice for frosting cupcakes.
- Place the bag in a tall glass and fold the sides down over the edges of the glass. This holds the bag open so you can fill it.
- Use a rubber spatula to transfer the frosting into the bag, filling it half-way.
- Twist the bag closed and apply pressure from the top to gently and evenly squeeze the frosting out of the bag and onto your baked goods. For a swirl pattern like these red velvet cupcakes, start from the edge and work inwards, overlapping the frosting to make a neat little pile.
- Lift the bag straight up when you’re done to make a cute kiss on top.
Tips for Spreading Frosting
If you don’t have a piping bag or just want to keep things simple, you can use a butter knife or, even better, a large offset spatula to cover a cake in this cream cheese frosting. Make sure your cake is fully cooled, and the frosting is at room temperature for easier spreading.
It’s best to do two layers of frosting on a cake, starting with a thin crumb coat, to avoid any bare areas or crumbs of cake stuck in that final layer of frosting. I recommend putting the cake in the fridge between layers to let the frosting set up and harden a bit before adding the second layer.
Ways to Use Cream Cheese Frosting
You can use this cream cheese frosting on cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and more. It’s especially delicious with chocolate! Here are some of my favorite treats to top with vanilla cream cheese frosting:
- Cake. As I mentioned earlier, it’s a classic on carrot or red velvet cake, but you’ve got to try it on Gluten-Free Funfetti Cake or Gluten-Free Hummingbird Cake.
- Cupcakes. No surprise that it’s also wonderful on Gluten-Free Red Velvet Cupcakes or Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Cupcakes, as well as Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes
- Cinnamon Rolls. While I usually go for a simple glaze, cream cheese frosting does make Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls or Gluten Free Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls extra decadent.
- Brownies and Bars. Take basic Gluten Free Brownies to the next level, or try it on Gluten Free Sugar Cookie Bars.
- Quick Breads. It’s also incredibly delicious to smear on a loaf of Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread or moist Gluten Free Banana Bread.
More Easy Frosting Recipes
Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (one stick), softened to room temperature
- 8 oz. cream cheese (regular or light), softened to rom tempaerature
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Using a hand mixer or stand mixer with a paddle or whisk attachment, cream softened 1/2 cup unsalted butter until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the softened 8 oz. cream cheese, 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract, and, if you wish, 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice.
- With the mixer working at slow speed, slowly start adding 3 cups powdered sugar and beat until smooth (if you want a bit thicker frosting, you can add up to an extra 1 cups powdered sugar, a little at a time). Increase the speed and whip until you have a fluffy consistency.
- Use on completely cooled cake, cupcakes, cookies, etc.
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This tastes amazing and also it’s the perfect color for my cake and also this is going on top of my fiance’s birthday cake and he wanted a cream cheese type frosting and this is delicious.