Whipped Fluffy Cream Cheese Frosting

Whipped Fluffy Cream Cheese Frosting, this homemade frosting recipe is the perfect addition to any cake, cupcake, cookie, brownies, cinnamon rolls, and more! Or use it as a tasty dip for fruit and other snacks!

This homemade whipped fluffy Cream Cheese Frosting is perfect on a wide range of desserts and other foods. The best on cakes, cupcakes, cookies, or even cinnamon rolls. Not going to mention names, but I have also caught some family members with a spoon eating it right out of the bowl.

Homemade frostings are SO easy to make! And once you start, you might never buy the store-bought versions in a tub again.

It’s typically used for Red Velvet Cake, Banana Cake and Banana Bars, Pumpkin Cakes (like this Pumpkin Crunch Cake and Pumpkin Ale Cupcakes), Spice Cake, Gingerbread, and Carrot Cake, but it’s delicious on so many other treats!

It’s great on a variety of other cakes, cupcakes, cookies, muffins, and more. It goes well with a variety of flavors such as maple, strawberry, raspberry, orange, cinnamon, chocolate, coconut, apple, and even lemon. It would be great on these Birthday Brownies!

This fluffy Cream Cheese Frosting helps make the BEST treats!

With only a handful of simple ingredients, you can quickly make this fluffy Cream Cheese frosting at home…

(Full printable recipe card is at bottom of post.)

Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients

• Cream cheese, softened (be sure it’s soft to prevent lumps)
• Unsalted butter, softened (be sure it’s soft to prevent lumps)
• Salt
• Vanilla Extract (or your favorite flavored extract)
• Powdered sugar, sifted (if possible to prevent lumps)

How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting

1. BEAT CHESE. Beat together softened cream cheese and butter with electric mixer on medium speed until well combined and no lumps.
2. ADD INGREDIENTS. Beat in salt and vanilla. Then slowly beat in powdered sugar until desired sweetness and consistency.
3. USE. Use as desired on your favorite cakes, cookies, cupcakes, etc. Store in refrigerator.

Uses for Cream Cheese Frosting

• Great for topping cakes, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and cinnamon rolls.
• Use as a dessert dip for cookies, fruit, graham crackers, and pretzels.
• Flavor with your favorite extracts (strawberry, maple, raspberry, orange, almond, lemon, or even banana) for a whole new frosting flavor.
• Mix in some “add-ins” for a crunch frosting such as chocolate chips, coconut, nuts, or toffee bits.

Quick Tips for Best Results

• Make sure both the butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature, otherwise, your frosting might be lumpy.
• Beat the butter and cream cheese WELL before adding other ingredients to also help prevent lumps.
• Sift your powdered sugar before adding to the other ingredients so that you don’t have sugar lumps, and instead of a creamy whipped fluffy frosting.
• If you’re adding a flavored extract (other than vanilla), add just a little at a time until you get the desired flavor.

Cream Cheese Frosting FAQ

How should I store Cream Cheese Frosting?
Store cream cheese frosting (and any items frosted with it…) in the fridge.

Can I freeze Cream Cheese Frosting?
I would not freeze this frosting if you can avoid it. The texture and consistency can change after being frozen.

How long will Cream Cheese Frosting last?
Depending on how fresh your ingredients are, I would guess about 2-4 weeks (assuming nothing is expiring anytime soon).

Substitutions?
Instead of vanilla extract, you could substitute your favorite extract. Just add a little at a time. Some extract flavors can be a little stronger than others. For a more WHITE frosting, you can omit the vanilla and use a clear flavor extract.

Can I use low-fat ingredients?
You can use low-fat cream cheese or butter BUT results may vary a lot.

What else can I add to this recipe?
You can add your favorite “add-ins” for a crunchy frosting like chocolate chips, nuts, toffee chips, etc.

Didn’t turn out, what went wrong?
I would guess your butter or cream cheese wasn’t softened enough if you’re seeing lumps. Also if your home is warm, your frosting may not be as stiff as it would be on a cooler day. You can try adding more powdered sugar.

How to thicken cream cheese frosting?
If your home is warm or you’re using lower-fat ingredients, your frosting might not turn out a thick as you’d like. If that’s the case, you can try adding more powdered sugar or even more softened cream cheese to help thicken it up a little. You can also try putting it in the fridge for a while to see if it stiffens up a bit.

Can I make this vegan/vegetarian/low carb/gluten-free?
Here are some suggestions, but I can’t guarantee results. Be sure as always to check particular brands and ingredients if you’re following a specific diet or have diet restrictions or allergies.

Vegan – This would be a tough one to make vegan but you can try using vegan ingredients including a cream cheese and butter substitute.

Vegetarian – It’s vegetarian. Be sure to check individual brands/products just to be sure though.

Low-Carb – You can try a powdered sugar substitute, but that might be tough.

Gluten-Free -The frosting is gluten-free, but check specific ingredients/brands.

Other Frosting Recipes You May Enjoy

• Peanut Butter Frosting (Snappy Gourmet) – Fluffy and great on anything chocolate!
• Cannoli Frosting (Snappy Gourmet) – Fun twist on the popular Italian pastry.
• Strawberry Buttercream (Jen Around the World) – Yum, strawberry frosting with fresh strawberries.
• Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting (Only Crumbs Remain) – Perfect for all the chocolate lovers.

Hope you enjoy this Cream Cheese Frosting. Tell me in the comments what you put it on!

This frosting would also be great paired with my One-Bowl Chocolate Cake recipe!