Cream Cheese Frosting for Cakes and Cupcakes

a bowl of cream cheese frosting on a pink surface in front of cupcakes

Cream Cheese Frosting for Cakes and Cupcakes

Luscious, tangy Cream Cheese Frosting is the perfect topping for cakes and cupcakes... and any other baked goods you can imagine! This thick, whipped frosting recipe requires just 5 ingredients and is easy to make at home.

Prep Time 20

Total Time 20

Servings servings

Calories 219kcal

Ingredients

8 oz. cream cheese softened
¼ cup unsalted butter softened
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 11g
½ teaspoon kosher salt 2g
3 cups powdered sugar 336g

Instructions

Beat the cream cheese and butter together in a large bowl with a stand mixer or a hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. It will turn a light yellow.
Beat in the vanilla extract, about 1-2 minutes.
Add the powdered sugar and salt. Use the electric mixer to incorporate them into the cream cheese and butter mixture. If your powdered sugar has lumps in it, run it through a fine mesh strainer so that the frosting is not lumpy.
When the icing is smooth, chill in the refrigerator until you’re ready to ice your cupcakes or cake. You can transfer the icing to a piping bag, or you can simply dollop it onto the cupcakes.
Frost your baked goods and enjoy!

Notes

This cream cheese frosting should only be left out at room temperature for two hours.

How to store: Keep frosted baked goods in the fridge in a food-safe, airtight cupcake container. Remove them from the refrigerator about an hour before serving so they can come to temperature.

Nutrition