Easy Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting (10 Flavor Options)

Learn how to make Easy Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting with this easy tutorial. This is a bakery recipe, so it’s tried and true, as we made this in my bake shop for over a decade! With 10 flavor variations, it’s perfect for cakes, cupcakes, cookies and more!


If you love cream cheese frosting, try some of my favorite recipes that use it like Sourdough Red Velvet Cookies Without Food Coloring, Eggless Birthday Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting, or Brown Sugar Carrot Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting.

A Quick Look At The Recipe

• Recipe Name: Easy Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting (10 Flavor Options)
• Ready In: 10 minutes
• Makes: 12 servings
• Main Ingredients: butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar
• Flavor Profile: sweet and tangy
• Dietary Info: gluten free, no seed oils, eggless, vegan swap available
• Difficulty: Easy!
• Why You’ll Love It: homemade cream cheese frosting with 10 flavor options!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• 4 Ingredients: I love this easy homemade cream cheese frosting as it only has 4 ingredients. Butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract is all you need.
• Sweet and Tangy: This organic cream cheese frosting is both sweet and tangy, giving it a perfect balance for any kind of cake. Try it on top of my Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies with Homemade Caramel!
• 10 Flavors: With this recipe, you can make up to 10 different flavors! Everything from lemon, strawberry, to chocolate cream cheese frosting.
• Use for Anything: Make this easy homemade cream cheese frosting for anything! You can use this recipe for cakes, cupcakes, cookies, brownies and more!

There's something special about that sweet and tangy combination of homemade cream cheese frosting! It pairs well with cakes, cookies, brownies, and more!

This easy homemade cream cheese frosting only has 4 ingredients, and it comes together easily in your stand mixer. If you're looking for other frosting recipes from my bakery, check out my Vanilla Bean Buttercream Frosting, Caramel Buttercream Frosting, Strawberry Buttercream with Fresh or Freeze Dried Strawberries, Simple Chocolate Whipped Cream Frosting, Homemade Whipped Cream Frosting, Peanut Butter Caramel Chocolate Ganache Frosting, or Honey Buttercream Frosting.

Ingredients

• Butter: I use Organic Valley Salted Butter, you can use your favorite. I prefer salted butter, but you can also use unsalted if you prefer. The type of butter can impact flavor, with sweet cream butter being more mild and a European style butter being more tangy. Check out Best Salted Butter for Baking for more info on how different butter can affect your frosting.
• Cream Cheese: You can use cream cheese from a tub or block, either works. I love Organic Valley for this recipe.
• Powdered Sugar: Make sure to sift powdered sugar, this is crucial for smooth and creamy frosting. I'm using Wholesome organic powdered sugar, but you can use your favorite.
• Vanilla Extract: Be sure to use a high quality vanilla extract, I really love Simply Organic.

*For a full list of ingredients and measurements, visit the recipe card below.

Flavor Variations

• Almond: Replace vanilla with 1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
• Lemon: Replace vanilla with 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon extract
• Orange: Replace vanilla with 1 1/2 teaspoons orange extract
• Peppermint: Replace vanilla with 1 1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract
• Strawberry: Add in 1 to 2 tablespoons freeze dried strawberry powder
• Blueberry: Add in 1 to 2 tablespoons freeze dried blueberry powder
• Raspberry: Add in 1 to 2 tablespoons freeze dried raspberry powder
• Green Tea: Add in 1 tablespoon of matcha powder
• Chocolate: Add 85 grams of melted dark chocolate and 28 grams of sifted Dutch cocoa powder

Baker’s Tips

• Make sure your butter is soft, this is key. I prefer to leave it out on the counter to soften naturally. If you need to microwave it, only do 10 second intervals so you don’t melt portion of it.
• You can use cream cheese from a tub or brick, either works.
• Make sure to sift powdered sugar, this is super important for smooth cream cheese frosting with no clumps.
• You can make this vegan simply by using vegan butter and vegan cream cheese, I like using Miyoko's for both!
• Be sure to store anything with cream cheese frosting in the fridge so it stays fresh.

How to Make Easy Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.

2. Mix on low until combined and then speed mixer up to high and mix until light and fluffy. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl and then mix again to ensure everything is properly mixed and the frosting is smooth and creamy.

Easy Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting FAQ’s

More Cream Cheese Dessert Recipes

Blueberry Cream Cheese Scones Without Eggs

Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies

Easy Mango Cheesecake

Apricot Cheesecake Tart