The Best Cream Cheese Frosting (2024)

This cream cheese frosting is literally THE BEST you’re going to try. It’s rich, creamy, tart and has the perfect level of sweetness. It’s a great stable cream cheese frosting too, making it ideal for piping!

What makes this cream cheese frosting the best?

Okay I know everyone says their version of something is the best. BUT, I have to say that I don’t think I’ve tried a cream cheese frosting that tastes better than this one.

The secret? LEMON JUICE! With the addition of fresh lemon juice (yes – it must be FRESH!), there’s an added layer of tartness. It adds an incredible depth of flavour and is the perfect combo with cream cheese for this buttercream!

Did you know I also have a chocolate cream cheese frosting recipe! It’s equally as good, and you can find it here.

Ingredients for Cream Cheese Frosting

This recipe will require:

– Unsalted butter: You’ll need the butter to be at room temperature, and I would highly recommend using unsalted butter as it results in a less harsh tasting buttercream.

– Icing/confectioners’ sugar(also called powdered sugar)

– Cream cheese: for a more stable frosting you want to use a firm, full-fat cream cheese. They sometimes come in a brick.

– Vanilla essence/extract

– Fresh lemon juice: This is going to add a wonderful tart flavor to the frosting and helps cut through the sweetness.

How to make this frosting

This cream cheese frosting comes together SO EASILY!

You want to start off by creaming your butter in a large mixing bowl for a few minutes using an electric mixer, until it’s light and fluffy. This is going to give your frosting a lighter texture.

Next you want to add in your icing/confectioners sugar in 3 batches, whilst mixing on a low speed. This is going to ensure that our icing sugar doesn’t go everywhere!

Then add in your cold cream cheese, vanilla essence or vanilla extract and fresh lemon juice. Mix on a medium high speed just until the frosting is smooth. Avoid over-mixing as this can result in a less stable frosting.

And that is it! You should end up with a smooth cream cheese frosting 🙂

Commonly Asked Questions

Can I use this frosting for cake decorating and layer cakes?

If you’re making a simple 2 layer cake, then yes it can be used as a frosting for the inside and outside. However, as with most cream cheese frostings it will soften up slightly at room temperature making it less stable. Because of this, for cakes with 3 or more layers, I would recommend using this frosting only as a filling.

Below is an example of my red velvet cake recipe (2 layers), which I frosted with this cream cheese frosting. It held together well as it was only 2 layers, but I imagine if I added more layers then I may run into some problems with layers sliding off!

Can I pipe with this cream cheese frosting?

ABSOLUTELY! So the trick to getting a firm enough consistency is using cold, firm cream cheese (not the spreadable type). This will give you a nice pipeable consistency that’s great for cakes and cupcakes.

If it’s really hot where you live, and your frosting is starting to soften up after some time, simply place it back into the fridge for about 30 minutes, and then rewhip it. It should be back at a nice pipeable consistency.

How do you make cream cheese frosting thicker or more stable?

There are a few ways you can increase the stability of this frosting or make it a bit thicker.

– Add in more icing/powdered sugar (if you don’t mind a little extra sweetness). Add in a tablespoon at a time and taste test as you go.

– Secondly, you can add in some cornstarch to thicken up the frosting. I would add in about 2 tablespoons max, otherwise it can start to impact the taste/texture of your frosting.

– You can also add in meringue powder or arrowroot powder. About 2 teaspoons of each per batch of frosting.

How do you store cream cheese frosting?

Because this frosting contains cream cheese, proper storage is important to maintain its texture and prevent it from spoiling. It will be okay to leave out at room temperature for the day (as the sugar in the frosting prevents the cream cheese from spoiling too quickly), but after that it should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator overnight.

Can you freeze cream cheese frosting?

Yes, you can freeze cream cheese frosting to extend its shelf life. Freezing cream cheese frosting is a good way to preserve it for later use, especially if you have leftover frosting that you don’t plan to use immediately. Simply place it in an airtight container and freeze for upto 3 months.

It’s important to note that although cream cheese frosting does generally freeze quite well (due to the high fat content), sometimes freezing can slightly alter the texture, and it may become slightly softer or grainy after thawing. However, re-whipping can usually help improve its texture.

What can I use cream cheese frosting for?

Cream cheese frosting can be used for so many different flavoured cakes! Some of my favourite options are my spice cake recipe, carrot cake recipe and red velvet cake recipe.