18 Easy Cream Cheese Frosting Recipes

Rich, sweet, creamy, and with a slight satisfying tang, a good cream cheese frosting is a recipe that every home baker should have in their repertoire! It’s perfect for icing everything from homemade cupcakes to cinnamon rolls, and the good news is that you can make it around 10 minutes with just a handful of simple ingredients from your pantry.

How To Make Cream Cheese Frosting

The base for all the cream cheese frosting recipes included here is super simple – it’s just cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and a little flavoring of your choice!

And yes, you read right – it takes just 10 minutes to make them from scratch. The most labor intensive part of the process is beating together the cream and butter. It requires some effort and a little elbow grease, but after that, it’s just a case of combining the sugar and your flavorings.

I recommend using the highest quality ingredients you can find, so let’s take a little look at those in greater detail…

Firstly, you’ll want to use full fat cream cheese for the very best results.

I also like to use salted butter as I find this helps to balance the flavors, though you can use unsalted if you prefer.

Powdered sugar is also sometimes known as confectioners sugar, and you can find it in the baking aisle in all grocery stores.

You’ll start by beating together the cream cheese and butter, using a hand mixer or stand mixer. You’ll want to ensure that the ingredients are really combined, and that there are no lumps. This process is much easier if your ingredients are at room temperature when you start!

For the next step, you’ll add in the powdered sugar and your flavorings. It’s that easy!

Let’s take a look at the different flavors and variations you can try…

1. Classic Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting

The OG of cream cheese frostings—simple, smooth, and versatile. Perfect for cakes, cupcakes, or cookies!

Makes: Approx. 3 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 cup softened cream cheese
• 1/2 cup salted softened butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until light and fluffy.

2. Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

Bright and fruity, this frosting is perfect for pairing with vanilla or lemon cakes.

Makes: Approx. 3 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 cup softened cream cheese
• 1/2 cup salted softened butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup freeze-dried strawberries, finely crushed

Instructions:

1. Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar and strawberry powder, mixing until fluffy.

3. Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

Zesty, tangy, and refreshing—this frosting is made for lemon cakes and cupcakes.

Makes: Approx. 3 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 cup softened cream cheese
• 1/2 cup salted softened butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tsp lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar, lemon zest, and juice, mixing until fluffy.

4. Raspberry Cream Cheese Frosting

Bright and tangy, this frosting pairs beautifully with chocolate or vanilla desserts.

Makes: Approx. 3 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 cup softened cream cheese
• 1/2 cup salted softened butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp raspberry puree

Instructions:

1. Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar and raspberry puree, mixing until light and fluffy.

5. Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

Rich and decadent, this frosting is perfect for chocolate lovers.

Makes: Approx. 3 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 cup softened cream cheese
• 1/2 cup salted softened butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Instructions:

1. Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder, mixing until well combined.

6. Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

Sweet and citrusy, this frosting is a perfect match for spice or carrot cakes.

Makes: Approx. 3 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 cup softened cream cheese
• 1/2 cup salted softened butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 1 tsp orange extract

Instructions:

1. Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar, orange zest, and extract, mixing until fluffy.

7. Blueberry Cream Cheese Frosting

Bursting with blueberry flavor, this frosting pairs perfectly with vanilla or lemon desserts.

Makes: Approx. 3 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 cup softened cream cheese
• 1/2 cup salted softened butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup blueberry puree

Instructions:

1. Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar and blueberry puree, mixing until well combined.

8. White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

Sweet and creamy, this frosting takes any dessert to the next level.

Makes: Approx. 3 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 cup softened cream cheese
• 1/2 cup salted softened butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup melted white chocolate

Instructions:

1. Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar and melted white chocolate, mixing until fluffy.

9. Dark Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

Deep, rich, and intensely chocolaty, this frosting is a perfect partner for decadent desserts.

Makes: Approx. 3 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 cup softened cream cheese
• 1/2 cup salted softened butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder

Instructions:

1. Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar and dark cocoa powder, mixing until well combined and fluffy.

10. Banana Cream Cheese Frosting

Sweet and fruity, this frosting pairs perfectly with banana bread, cupcakes, or even pancakes.

Makes: Approx. 3 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 cup softened cream cheese
• 1/2 cup salted softened butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup mashed ripe banana

Instructions:

1. Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar and mashed banana, mixing until creamy and fluffy.

11. Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

Nutty, rich, and indulgent, this frosting adds a sophisticated twist to any dessert.

Makes: Approx. 3 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 cup softened cream cheese
• 1/2 cup brown butter (cooled)
• 4 cups powdered sugar

Instructions:

1. To make brown butter, melt butter in a pan over medium heat until it turns golden brown and smells nutty. Cool completely.
2. Beat cream cheese and cooled brown butter together until smooth.
3. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until light and fluffy.

12. Honey Cream Cheese Frosting

Lightly sweetened with honey, this frosting is simple yet elegant.

Makes: Approx. 3 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 cup softened cream cheese
• 1/2 cup salted softened butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp honey

Instructions:

1. Beat cream cheese, butter, and honey together until smooth.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until fluffy.

13. Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Warm and spiced, this frosting is perfect for carrot cake, pumpkin bread, or cinnamon rolls.

Makes: Approx. 3 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 cup softened cream cheese
• 1/2 cup salted softened butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar and cinnamon, mixing until well combined.

14. Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Frosting

Fall vibes in every bite—this frosting is amazing on spiced cakes and cupcakes.

Makes: Approx. 3 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 cup softened cream cheese
• 1/2 cup salted softened butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp pumpkin spice mix

Instructions:

1. Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar and pumpkin spice, mixing until fluffy and creamy.

15. Nutella Cream Cheese Frosting

Chocolatey, nutty, and totally indulgent, this frosting is perfect for pairing with vanilla or chocolate desserts.

Makes: Approx. 3 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 cup softened cream cheese
• 1/2 cup salted softened butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup Nutella

Instructions:

1. Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar and Nutella, mixing until fluffy and well combined.

16. Espresso Cream Cheese Frosting

For coffee lovers, this frosting adds a bold, caffeinated kick to any dessert.

Makes: Approx. 3 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 cup softened cream cheese
• 1/2 cup salted softened butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp instant espresso powder dissolved in 1 tbsp warm water

Instructions:

1. Dissolve espresso powder in warm water.
2. Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
3. Gradually add powdered sugar and espresso mixture, mixing until creamy and fluffy.

17. Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting

Sweet and buttery, this caramel-infused frosting is perfect for apple or spice cakes.

Makes: Approx. 3 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 cup softened cream cheese
• 1/2 cup salted softened butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup caramel sauce

Instructions:

1. Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar and caramel sauce, mixing until fluffy and creamy.

18. Oreo Cream Cheese Frosting

Cookies and cream lovers, rejoice! This frosting is the ultimate treat for Oreo fans.

Makes: Approx. 3 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 cup softened cream cheese
• 1/2 cup salted softened butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup crushed Oreo cookies

Instructions:

1. Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar. Fold in crushed Oreos until well incorporated.

From the Classic Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting to the bold and decadent Nutella Cream Cheese Frosting, these recipes cover every craving and occasion. Whether you’re frosting cupcakes, decorating cakes, or just sneaking spoonfuls (I never judge), these frostings are sure to take your baking game to new heights.