Calling all lemon lovers! You are going to fall in love with this DELICIOUS Lemon Cream Cheese Buttercream Recipe.

It is the perfect lemony, light and flavorful complement to white, yellow, citrus, and even coconut cakes!

I love cream cheese frostings and this recipe is no exception. In fact, of all of the cream cheese frosting variations that I've made over the years, this Lemon Cream Cheese Buttercream recipe is one of my all time favorites!

I love the silky smooth consistency and it has the perfect amount of lemon.

Even better, this Lemon Cream Cheese buttercream it is SO simple to make. We especially love it with our homemade Lemon Cake Recipe.

Whenever we make a bowl of this amazing lemony cream cheese deliciousness, it's a struggle not to eat it by the spoonful! In fact, I would highly recommend doing just that.

How to Make Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

This frosting is incredibly easy to put together, so you have no excuse not to make it! ;0)

First, cut the butter into smaller slices and add to the bowl of your mixer. It should be slightly softened.

Next, slice the slightly softened cream cheese into smaller pieces and add to the butter, mixing until blended.

Next comes the lemon juice and lemon extract. The lemon extract is optional but I really like the boost of flavor that it adds.

Finally, add your powdered sugar and mix until well blended. Cakes and cupcakes frosted with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting should be refrigerated.

Tips for Cream Cheese Frosting

Cream cheese frostings are a softer consistency than other buttercream frostings.

If you need a thicker consistency, you can add additional powdered sugar in small amounts until you reach the desired consistency.

If your Cream Cheese Buttercream becomes increasingly soft as you pipe, to the point that it no longer holds it’s shape, just pop it in the refrigerator for a minute.

This could be caused by a super warm kitchen, or warm hands against the piping bag. Either way, a few minutes in the fridge will work wonders. (Just not too long or it’ll become too firm!)

More Lemon Recipes to Try

Love Lemon? Don't miss our scratch Lemon Cake Recipe which is filled with delicious Lemon Curd Filling and Frosted with Lemon Cream Cheese Buttercream. YUM!

Or, if you are looking for a Lemon Frosting recipe that is less perishable, this Lemon Buttercream Frosting recipe has wonderful lemon flavor and can safely be kept at room temperature for a day or two! We love how easily it pipes!

If you Love Cream Cheese Frostings, Don't Miss our Roundup of Favorite Cream Cheese Frosting & Filling Recipes!

Sharing our Best Recipes & cake Tutorials!

Don't miss our full collection of favorite cake decorating tutorials and recipes in our Recipes and Tutorials Section! We have so many cakes to share with you!

Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

This lemon cream cheese frosting has amazing flavor is and so easy to make!

Ingredients

2 sticks (226g) unsalted butter, softened but still cool to the touch
2 8oz packages Cream Cheese (453 total gram weight) Use full fat cream cheese. Do not use reduced fat or cream cheese in the tub containers. Soften
2 teaspoons (8g) lemon juice
1 teaspoon (4g) lemon extract
Zest from 1 lemon, approximately 1 ½ teaspoons (3g)
6 to 6 ½ cups (690g - 747g) powdered sugar, adding more if necessary

Instructions

Add the softened butter to the bowl of your mixer, mix until smooth.
Cut the softened cream cheese into pieces and add to the butter, mixing until blended.
Add the lemon juice and lemon zest. 1 teaspoon lemon extract, for a stronger lemon flavor.
Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until well blended.

This frosting will pipe best if used while still chilled. You can make it in advance, refrigerate and when ready to use let it soften slightly and remix. Do not microwave to soften. If the frosting becomes too soft while using just refrigerate the piping bag or bowl for a short while to firm it up.

Will frost a 3 layer 8 or 9 inch cake.