Cream Cheese is not just for cheesecakes; it also makes an excellent Cream Cheese Frosting and is super quick and easy to make.
I think cream cheese frosting is my favourite among the different types you can make. Even my kids love this one more.
It pairs so well with cakes and cupcakes like Red Velvet, Carrot, and Banana, and I even prefer it on my Rosé Wine Cupcakes. But it can pair well with any you like.
You can even get creative and add it to things like cheesecakes or even slices.
So if you are not in the mood for Buttercream Icing or Royal Icing, then this recipe may be what you are looking for!
How to make cream cheese frosting for cakes
Few ingredients go into this recipe, and you only need a hand mixer or stand mixer to make it.
Ingredients
- Cream Cheese
- Unsalted Butter
- Icing Sugar or Confectioner's Sugar
- Vanilla Extract
- Sea Salt or Kosha Salt
Method
Note: Before starting, ensure you allow the cream cheese and butter to come up to room temperature, making it much easier to combine.
Mix the cream cheese and butter in a mixing bowl, using a high speed on your mixer.
Add the icing sugar, vanilla extract and salt to the mixture and mix at a low speed until the icing sugar is just combined.
Then bring your mixture up to a high speed and continue mixing until everything is well combined.
Pro Tip: If the frosting is too sweet for you, add 2 or 2 ½ cups of icing sugar instead of the 3. You can add the icing sugar gradually, mixing well after each addition and taste a small amount to find the right sweetness.
Adding a small amount of lemon juice can also dull down the sweetness. Start off with ⅛ of a teaspoon, and gradually add ⅛ at a time. Keep in mind the more liquid you add the more it will change the consistency and if you add too much you will have to add more icing sugar.
Thickening Tip: The more icing sugar you add, the thicker it becomes, but it will become sweeter.
Piping: typically, cream cheese frosting is not piped onto cakes; it's spread. However, if you sift the icing sugar before adding it to the cream cheese and butter, you will have a better chance of piping it.
How to make chocolate cream cheese frosting
You may want to change things up depending on the cake or cupcake you are making.
Swapping out ½ cup of icing sugar for cocoa powder will allow you to make chocolate cream cheese frosting.
Can food colouring be added?
If you want to colour your cream cheese frosting I would suggest using powdered food colour to avoid adding more liquid to the mixture. But if you do not have the powder or can not get it, use a minimal amount of the gel food colouring.
Substitutes for Icing Sugar
Icing sugar is used to help thicken the cream cheese frosting and also allow it to stiffen.
However, if you do not want to use icing sugar, you can play around with other options that may have a similar effect, such as:
- Cornflour/Cornstarch
- Meringue Powder
- Arrowroot powder
How to store cream cheese frosting
Store in an airtight container, either in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
What type of cream cheese for cream cheese frosting?
There are two types of cream cheese: one is used for spreading or dips and the other for baking.
For cream cheese frosting, always use the baking one.
Easy Cream Cheese Frosting For Cakes And More
Ingredients
- 250 g Philadelphia Cream Cheese softened
- 125 g Unsalted Butter softened
- 3 cups Icing Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- ⅛ teaspoon Sea Salt kosha salt
Instructions
- Cream butter and cream cheese together in a mixing bowl
- Add icing sugar, vanilla extract and salt to the mixture. Mix well on a low speed until just combined, then increase speed to medium-high until well mixed.
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe? Tag @justsoyum on Instagram or Facebook so we can find your masterpiece.
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