This Cream Cheese Frosting for Cookies is not only the easiest but also the most flavorful frosting you could pair with your cookies. Perfect for almost any cookie! Try it with sugar cookies, red velvet cookies, banana bread cookies, gingerbread bars, or even carrot cake cookies. With its smooth, thick, and fluffy consistency, this is the best cream cheese frosting for cookies that you will ever try!
If you’ve already tried my Buttercream Frosting for Cookies, you know that it’s the best buttercream frosting out there that works for cookies because it sets and it doesn’t need any corn syrup. And this cream cheese frosting is no exception. For cookies that need a less sweet, tangy counterpart, such as my Fruit Pizza Cookies, this frosting is the perfect match.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Super Tasty: This cream cheese frosting is so good, it might just become your favorite thing to slather on cookies!
- Amazing Texture: This frosting is fluffy, thick and spreads on smoothly. You can either pipe it on cookies, or use a butter knife or an offset spatula to spread it on cookies. Each bite with this frosting is a dream come true.
- Simple and Quick: You don’t need to be a professional baker to make this. It’s as easy as pie, and you’ll love the results!
Key Ingredients
Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below
- Butter: I use unsalted butter to control the saltiness in my frosting, but if salted butter is all you have, you can use that and skip adding any salt to the frosting. Make sure that the butter is softened to room temperature.
- Cream Cheese: Like the butter, your cream cheese should be softened to room temperature. This will ensure a smooth, lump-free frosting. It adds a tangy note that balances the sweetness. If needed, you can substitute an equal amount of mascarpone cheese, although this will result in a less tangy frosting.
- Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioner’s sugar, it provides sweetness and helps with the structure of the frosting.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Try to use pure vanilla extract rather than imitation vanilla extract for a better taste. If you want to try different flavors, you can substitute the vanilla with almond extract, lemon zest, or even mint extract.
- Salt: Just a pinch will help balance out the sweetness and enhance the overall flavors of your frosting. Use fine table salt rather than kosher salt that has a larger grain.
How To Make Cream Cheese Frosting
- Start by placing the softened butter and cream cheese into a large bowl. Using a hand mixer, or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the two together until they’re completely blended and creamy.
- Decrease the mixer speed to low. Gradually add in the powdered sugar, about a half cup at a time, ensuring it’s fully incorporated before adding more. Be patient with this step to avoid a powdered sugar cloud in your kitchen!
- After the sugar is fully mixed in, add the pure vanilla extract and beat the frosting once more.
- Now, turn the mixer speed up to high and let it do its magic for about 3 more minutes. This final beating step will make your frosting extra fluffy and spreadable.
Recipe Tips
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and cream cheese are at room temperature before you start. This ensures they blend together smoothly, giving you a lump-free frosting.
- Coloring: If you want to color your frosting, use gel food coloring. It doesn’t mess with the frosting consistency and gives you vibrant colors.
- Add Extracts or Spices: Feel free to switch things up by adding different extracts like almond, peppermint, or even rum! Spice things up with some cinnamon or pumpkin spice. Or add a unique twist with crushed cookies like Oreos or Lotus Biscoff. You could even go chocolaty by adding melted chocolate or cocoa powder. The possibilities are endless!
- Decoration: For a smooth, professional-looking finish, use an offset spatula to spread the frosting. If you want to get fancy with piping, this frosting holds up well in a piping bag fitted with your choice of nozzle.
Storing
You can make this frosting ahead of time! Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to use it, let it sit at room temperature to soften, then give it a quick beat before spreading.
Other Frostings and Icings to Try
Recipe FAQs
It’s possible to use low-fat cream cheese, but keep in mind that the texture and taste won’t be quite the same as full-fat cream cheese. The frosting might be less creamy and not as rich in flavor.
If your frosting seems too thin, try adding a bit more powdered sugar, a spoonful at a time, while continuing to beat the frosting. This should help thicken it up. Just be careful not to add too much, or your frosting may become overly sweet.
Yes, this frosting can be frozen for up to 3 months. Make sure to store it in an airtight container. When you’re ready to use it, thaw it in the fridge overnight, then let it come to room temperature and give it a quick beat before using.
There you have it! I hope these tips help you make the tastiest Cream Cheese Frosting for Cookies. Don’t forget to check out my other delicious frostings for cookies, and if you try this recipe let me know what you think in the comments section below.
Cream Cheese Frosting for Cookies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 stick unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 8 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Place softened butter and cream cheese in a large bowl.
- Using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat until creamy.
- Decrease speed to low, gradually add powdered sugar, half a cup at a time. Ensure each addition is fully incorporated before adding the next.
- Once the sugar is fully mixed in, add vanilla extract and salt and beat again.
- Increase mixer speed to high and beat for 3 minutes, until frosting is fluffy and spreadable.
Notes
- Butter and cream cheese must be at room temperature for optimal blending.
- Store frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Soften at room temperature and give it a quick beat before use.
- This recipe can be easily scaled up or down, depending on your needs.
- For a smooth finish, spread frosting with an offset spatula. For decorative piping, use a piping bag and nozzle of your choice.
- Feel free to customize your frosting with your favorite flavors such as citrus zest, crushed freeze-dried berries, extracts, or spices like cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice.
Nutrition
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
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Comments & Reviews
Ruby Lockhart says
I used a little less than a cup of powdered sugar for half the recipe and it was perfect! Delicious frosting. Perfect for the cinnamon roll snickerdoodle’s I made.