Fluffy Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe (5-Minutes!) (2025)

With 4 ingredients and 5 minutes, you can make your own indulgent Cream Cheese Frostingathome! This recipe is super easy to make and perfect for spreading over cakes, cupcakes, cookies, or even eating by the spoonful.Once you make this tangy-sweet frosting, you’ll never go back to the store-bought stuff.

A Basic Cream Cheese Frosting

Cream cheesefrostingis a classic frosting that’s rich, tangy, and perfect for spreading over pretty much any dessert.

This easy frosting recipe is also perfect as a base for other frosting recipes. You can add melted chocolate to make chocolate cream cheese frosting or cinnamon to make cinnamon cream cheese frosting. The options are endless!

No matter how you want to use it, this foolproof cream cheese frosting recipe will add a tangy, lightly sweet twist to your favorite treats.It’s great for layer cakes, sheet cakes and it’s a great cupcake frosting.

I find this recipe to be a little sweet for pastries or sweet breads. So if you’re adding a cream cheese frosting to something already pretty sweet use a less sweet cream cheese frosting for cinnamon rolls.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy:You only need 4 ingredients to make this recipe, most of which you probably already have in your kitchen.
• Quick:This recipe takes 5 minutesto make, making it perfect for whipping up at a moment’s notice.
• Versatile:This recipe isagreatbasefor adding other flavors to craftmanydecadent variations.

Before You Get Started

• Cream cheese:Go for full-fat cream cheese for this recipe, and make sure to use the brick kind. You don’t want the kind that comes in a tub.My preference for cream cheese frostings is to have a higher ratio of cream cheese than butter. This provides a unique tangy flavor and creaminess. You can still get a great frosting if you use an equal amount of both butter and cream cheese.
• Butter:Use unsalted butter for this recipe.
• Powdered sugar:This light and powdery sugar thickens the frosting and adds sweetness. This recipe is adaptable depending on what you are using it for. Making a topping for cinnamon rolls, use less powdered sugar.
• Salt:Balances out the sweetness.

What’s the difference between buttercream and cream cheese frosting?

Buttercream frostingis made with primarilybutter, cream, sugar, and vanilla. While cream cheese frosting has butter, cream cheese is the primary ingredient. The cream cheese adds a tangier flavor and softer texture compared to buttercream.

How to Make Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting

Step One: Combine Ingredients

Step Two: Adjust and Chill

If the frosting is too thin, add more powdered sugar or refrigerate it to see if more is needed. It will thicken once it’s cold; if it’s too thick, stir in a little cream. Once you have the right consistency, refrigerate it until you’re ready to use it.

Keep it from being lumpy by making sure the butter and cream cheese are at room temperature. If it is too soft to spread or pipe, just refrigerate it for about 15 minutes.

I’ve found this to be the best recipe for piping on cupcakes. The texture from the cream cheese makes it hold its shape better than a buttercream frosting.

Variations And Flavors

• Extracts: Use coconut, almond, or orange extractto geta unique flavor.
• Citrus: Grate a little lemon, lime, or orange zest into the frosting for a vibrant twist.
• Jam: Add a half cup of strawberry, raspberry, or blueberry jam for a fruity flair.
• Maple: Drizzle a couple of tablespoons of maple syrup to make maple cream cheese frosting.

Pro Tips For Making This Recipe

• Scrape: Scrape down the sides of the bowl so all of the ingredients are blended.
• Room temperature: Use room temperature ingredients so the frosting isn’t lumpy. Forgot to soften? Check out these guides on how tosoften cream cheese quicklyandhow to soften butter quickly.
• Mixer: Use an electric mixer if possible to get the most uniform results. If you don’t have one, use a large bowl and a hand mixer instead.

How To Store

Store the frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week and in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight, and whip it again before using it on your favorite desserts.