The Best Classic Cream Cheese Frosting: Smooth, Tangy, and Pipeable
This recipe delivers the best classic cream cheese frosting. It is smooth, creamy, and has the perfect balance of tang and sweetness. It is quick to make and holds its shape well for decorating cakes or topping cinnamon rolls.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 10 min
- Yield: About 3 cups
- Category: Dessert Topping
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 8 ounces cream cheese, full fat, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Place the softened butter and softened cream cheese in a large bowl. Beat them together with an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed until just combined after each addition.
- Add the vanilla extract and salt. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat for 2 to 3 minutes until the frosting is light, fluffy, and smooth. This whipping step helps prevent lumps.
- If the frosting seems too soft for piping, chill it for 10 to 15 minutes before using. If it is too stiff, add one teaspoon of milk or heavy cream and beat briefly.
- Use immediately to frost your favorite cakes, cupcakes, or cinnamon rolls.
Notes
- For the smoothest texture, make sure both your butter and cream cheese are truly at room temperature. Cold ingredients cause lumps.
- Sifting the powdered sugar is a key step to achieving a lump-free, pipeable cream cheese frosting.
- This frosting is perfect for red velvet cake and makes an excellent cream cheese topping for warm cinnamon rolls.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 38
- Sodium: 110
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 39
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 75