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The Best Classic Cream Cheese Frosting: Smooth, Tangy, and Pipeable

A generous mound of fluffy, white cream cheese frosting sits in a small white bowl, ready to use.
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You need this easy cream cheese frosting recipe! It creates a smooth, fluffy, and rich topping that is perfectly tangy, not too sweet. This recipe is quick to make and holds its shape well for piping on cakes, cupcakes, or spreading on cinnamon rolls.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick or 113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 3 to 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Place the softened cream cheese and softened butter into a large mixing 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.
  2. Add the vanilla extract and salt to the mixture. Beat briefly to combine.
  3. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed until incorporated. After the first two cups are mixed in, increase the speed to medium-high.
  4. Add the remaining powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating until the frosting is light, fluffy, and smooth. If you want a slightly tangier flavor, stop at 3 cups of sugar. For a sweeter, more stable frosting, use 4 cups.
  5. Beat the frosting on medium-high speed for 1 to 2 minutes more to incorporate air, which creates a fluffy texture and prevents lumps.
  6. Use immediately to frost your favorite red velvet cake, carrot cake, or cinnamon rolls.

Notes

  • For the smoothest result, make sure both your cream cheese and butter are truly at room temperature. Cold ingredients cause lumps.
  • If you are piping the frosting, chill the finished frosting for 15 minutes before using it to help it hold sharp details.
  • This frosting is perfect for cinnamon rolls and holds up well as a pipeable cream cheese frosting alternative to standard buttercream.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonswirl.com/cream-cheese-frosting-recipe-easy-smooth/