Pipeable Cream Cheese Frosting
You are going to love this simple, Pipeable Cream Cheese Frosting recipe!
I love any dessert that involves cream cheese, and I especially love cakes and cupcakes that are filled and swirled with a generous dose cream cheese frosting!
We have another delicious recipe for Classic Cream Cheese frosting that we have used for years. Today's recipe has an extra block of cream cheese, and so it has a bit more cream cheese flavor. Both are delicious.
Table of Contents
What Cakes Pair Well with Cream Cheese Frosting?
This is a trick question, because I would argue that EVERY cake tastes better with cream cheese frosting! But here are a few favorites!:
- Red Velvet Cake (Try our Red Velvet Scratch, Doctored Cake Mix, or Cupcake recipes!)
- Carrot Cake- This scratch carrot cake recipe is out of this world!
- Spice Cakes (Like our Caramel Apple Spice, Gingerbread Cake, Pumpkin Spice Cake...)
- Hummingbird Cake- A fantastic combination of bananas, crushed pineapple, pecans, and a hint of cinnamon
- Italian Cream Cake-This southern classic wouldn't be the same without cream cheese frosting!
- Classic Chocolate Cake- Ahhhh... this decadent chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting is heaven!
Helpful Tips for Cream Cheese Frosting
- Is Cream Cheese Frosting softer than regular frosting? Yes. As with most cream cheese frostings, the consistency of this frosting is a little on the softer side. If you need a thicker consistency, you can add additional powdered sugar in small amounts until you reach the desired consistency. However, this cream cheese frosting is thicker than most, thanks to the amount of cream cheese in the recipe.
- What Should I do if my Cream Cheese Frosting becomes too soft to work with? 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. Some decorators even prefer to prepare two piping bags and alternate between them.
This could be caused by a very 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!)
- Does Cream Cheese Frosting need to be refrigerated? Yes. Cream cheese frosting, and cakes frosted with cream cheese frosting should be refrigerated. However, it does become firm when chilled. You will want to remove from the refrigerator for 1-2 hours before serving (or using) so that it has time to soften.
Don't miss our roundup of the best cream cheese frosting recipes!
Pipeable Cream Cheese Frosting
This easy and delicious Pipeable Cream Cheese Frosting is the BEST! Wonderful cream cheese flavor and perfect for piping!
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Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (do not soften in microwave) (This is the equivalent of 2 sticks or 226g)
- 24 oz Cream Cheese, softened to close to room temperature We used three (8 oz) blocks of cream cheese. (full fat)
- 3 cups powdered sugar (343g)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (8g)
- ½ teaspoon salt (2g)
Instructions
- Add the softened butter to the bowl of your mixer. Mix on low to medium speed until the butter is smooth.
- Cut the softened cream cheese into pieces and add to the butter, along with the salt, mixing at low to medium speed until incorporated.
- Add the vanilla. Gradually add the powdered sugar mixing on low speed until blended.
- Increase mixing speed slightly, mixing just until well combined. Don't over beat or it will become too soft.
- Makes about 6 cups
- 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 (do not microwave) and remix.
Notes
This frosting should be refrigerated. Bring to room temperature (or close to room temperature) to soften for decorating. If cakes or cupcakes are frosted with this frosting, store in the refrigerator. Bring to kitchen counter a couple of hours before serving to allow time for the cake and frosting to warm and soften.
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Hi. Is this frosting suitable to be used for a cake that's topped with ganache drip?
Yes, you can use a ganache drip on a cream cheese frosted cake.
How well does this cream cheese frosting hold up... I'm using this to pipe on Cup Cakes for a baby shower.. sitting out a couple of hours...
Want to pipe this cream cheese frosting on cup cap that will be sitting out of fridge a few hours... will it hold up?
Thank you..
Hi Freda, yes a few hours out of the refrigerator should be fine!
Hi there, can i reduce the powdered sugar in the recipe? If i reduced it will the frosting still hold?
Hi Celeste, Yes, you can reduce the sugar in the recipe and the frosting will be fine. Just be sure to use full fat cream cheese and don't let it become too soft and also don't over mix it because the longer it is beaten the softer it will become. If it does become too soft, you can always refrigerate for a short while to firm it up before frosting your cake.
Does anyone know where I can get block cream cheese in the UK? Full fat cream cheese in tubs seems to go runny.
Can you please tell me what tip you used on the cupcakes in the photo and how did you make the design?? Thank you!!!
Hi Tammy, it was a large star tip-- either a 2D or 1M. I just made a basic swirl by piping first around the outer edge of the cupcake and then worked my way up to finish.
Can you add flavoring such as lemon juice? If so how much lemon would you add? Has anyone tried this with this recipe? Love your recipes btw!!!
Hi Bernadette, You could reduce the vanilla to 1 teaspoon and add 1 Tablespoon lemon juice plus zest of 1 lemon. One problem with adding lemon zest is the zest can clog up a small piping tip, so keep that in mind. I find the best lemon flavor comes with using lemon extract. I suggest using 1 teaspoon vanilla plus 1 or 2 teaspoons lemon extract. Taste the frosting after 1 teaspoon lemon extract and add a second teaspoon if you want a more intense lemon flavor.