Easy Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Cream cheese frosting is a delectable and tangy complement to many cakes and cupcakes.

Prep: Soften butter and cream cheese to room temp

Make: 15min

Cream cheese frosting can be easily flavored with various extracts or zest, allowing you to customize it to suit your taste preferences or the dessert you are preparing.

Silky, tangy, creamy and not overly sweet. A perfect pairing with red velvet cake, carrot cake and banana cake.

When whipped to the perfect consistency, it holds its shape well, allowing for various decorative designs.

Easy Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Yield: Approximately enough to frost a two-layer 9-inch cake or around 24 cupcakes.

Ingredients:

• 120g (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened

• 225g (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened (full-fat for best results)

• 4 cups powdered sugar (confectioners' sugar)

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 1 pinch or 1/4t salt

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and well combined.

2. Gradually add the powdered sugar to the bowl, about one cup at a time, mixing on low speed to prevent the sugar from flying everywhere. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

3. Add the vanilla extract to the bowl and mix until fully incorporated.

4. Continue beating the frosting on medium-high speed for an additional 2-3 minutes until it becomes fluffy and has a light, spreadable texture. Be careful not to overbeat, as overmixing can lead to a runny frosting.

5. Taste the frosting and adjust the sweetness or flavor by adding more powdered sugar or vanilla extract, to taste.

The cream cheese frosting is now ready to be used to frost cakes, cupcakes, or cookies. This frosting pairs exceptionally well with carrot cake, red velvet cake, banana cake, and many other baked treats.

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Variations:

1. Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting: Add 1-2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of lemon zest to the classic cream cheese frosting recipe for a refreshing citrus twist.

2. Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting: Stir in 1/4 to 1/2 cup of cocoa powder to the classic recipe for a decadent chocolate cream cheese frosting.

3. Maple Cream Cheese Frosting: Replace the vanilla extract with 1-2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup for a delightful fall-inspired flavor.

4. Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting: Add a pinch of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to the classic recipe for a warm and cozy spiced frosting.

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Handy Tools:

• Once I got my hands on a seamless silicone spatula there was no going back, minimal frosting waste! I've found having various sizes of spatulas for different sized batches or bowl types to be useful.

• With baking being a science, accuracy is key measuring spoons and measuring cups that can measure both cups and millilitres are baking essentials.

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Tips:

• Use softened butter and cream cheese for easier mixing and to achieve a smooth consistency.

• Make sure to use full-fat cream cheese for the best texture and flavor.

• If your cream cheese is too soft or runny, you can chill the frosting in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes before using it for easier handling.

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Cream cheese frosting is an absolute crowd-pleaser, and its creamy, tangy flavor will take your cakes and cupcakes to a whole new level of deliciousness. Enjoy!