How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting for Cake Decorating
Some cakes just work best with creamy, dreamy, slightly sweet, slightly tangy cream cheese frosting. And once you’ve mastered buttercream, it couldn’t be easier to make the best cream cheese frosting for cake decorating right there in your own kitchen.
While some cream cheese frostings don’t pipe very well, this one is ideal for cake decorating. Whether you’re looking to do swirls, swoops, or rosettes, this cream cheese frosting won’t let you down. Here’s everything you need to know about how to make the best cream cheese frosting you’ve ever tasted—and which cakes to decorate it with.
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Why You’ll Love This Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Perfect for Piping: This cream cheese frosting is made with Italian meringue buttercream, making it super stable and oh-so-smooth.
Subtly Sweet: Between the Italian buttercream and the cream cheese, this frosting isn’t overly sweet.
Super Velvety Texture: While some powdered sugar-based cream cheese frosting recipes can get a little gritty, this one’s base is made from Italian meringue buttercream so it’s silky and creamy with no grit in sight.
No Softening Required: Most recipes require you to soften the cream cheese before you use it, but not so with this recipe. You can use the cream cheese cold.
Ingredients
For the Italian Buttercream:
620g granulated sugar
158g water
300g egg whites
908g unsalted butter, at room temperature
20g pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
2g salt
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
720g Italian buttercream
600g full-fat cream cheese
Instructions
Make the Italian Buttercream: In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the egg whites, vanilla, and salt on low speed. In a small saucepan, combine the water and sugar and heat it over medium-low heat until it reaches 240 degrees F on a candy thermometer (soft-ball stage). When the syrup is heated, turn the mixer to speed 3 and stream in the hot syrup. Keep whipping the mixture on speed 3 for about 10 minutes.
Add the Butter: With the mixer running, add the room temperature butter in small pieces, one piece at a time, letting the butter fully incorporate before adding the next piece.
Whip the Buttercream: Once you’ve added all of the butter, mix on speed 3 until silky smooth, then go down to speed 2 for about 1 more minute.
Store the Buttercream: Transfer the buttercream to an airtight container and either store in the fridge or move on to the next step.
Make the Cream Cheese Frosting: If you’re moving right into making the cream cheese frosting, there’s no need to wash out the bowl of the stand mixer. Switch out the whisk attachment for the paddle attachment. Add the cream cheese and beat it until smooth. There’s no need to soften the cream cheese before using it! Scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure all of the cream cheese is in the bottom of the bowl.
Add the Buttercream: Slowly add the Italian buttercream, a little at a time, while the mixer is running. Keep mixing until the frosting is smooth and fully combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl again, then mix for 1 more minute. Use right away, or transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge or the freezer.
Our Best Tips on How to Use This Cream Cheese Frosting for Cake Decorating
Piping: This frosting holds its shape beautifully, making it perfect for piping swirls, rosettes, and dramatic swoops.
Layering & Crumb Coating: It spreads like a dream and sets firm enough for clean, professional edges.
Spreading on cinnamon rolls: This classic cream cheese frosting would be heavenly on homemade cinnamon rolls.
Storage: Store leftover frosting in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Let it sit at room temp for about 15 minutes before using.
Troubleshooting
Even if you know what you’re doing, you may occasionally run into some snags. Here’s how to fix common issues:
My cream cheese icing is too soft
Your butter might have been too warm. Pop the frosting in the fridge for 10–15 minutes and mix again.
Did you accidentally overwhip? Try mixing on low speed to bring it back together.
It looks curdled or separated
This happens when the butter or cream cheese is too cold. Keep mixing.
If it's stubborn, place the bowl over a warm water bath for a few seconds, then mix again.
It’s too thick and hard to spread
Let it sit at room temp for 10–15 minutes and give it a quick mix.
If needed, add a teaspoon of heavy cream and mix until smooth.
It’s grainy
You may have added the sugar syrup too fast when making the buttercream. Try straining it through a fine sieve before using.
Overwhipping can sometimes create tiny air bubbles. Mix on low speed to smooth it out.
Best Cake Flavors to Pair with Cream Cheese Frosting
Rich, creamy, and slightly tangy, this cream cheese buttercream recipe is such a great break from your usual buttercream. But it’s even better when paired with the right cake flavor. Here are some of our favorite cake flavors to pair with cream cheese frosting:
1. Red Velvet Cupcakes
Red velvet cake and cream cheese frosting is a classic combination for a reason. The chocolatey flavor of the cake (as subtle as it is) and the tangy, slightly sweet flavor of the rich cream cheese frosting is just so good together. It's the perfect complement.
2. Carrot Cake or Carrot Cake Cupcakes
Another classic combination, carrot cake and cream cheese frosting go so well together. The warm spices, sweet, earthy carrots, and nutty cake pairs beautifully with the tangy, slightly sweet cream cheese frosting.
3. Chocolate Cake
A rich, fudgy chocolate cake can benefit so much from a slightly tangy cream cheese frosting. The contrast between the flavors makes the combination all the better. Pro tip: if you’re baking the cake at home, add some coffee or espresso to the cake for an even more complex, chocolatey flavor.
4. Banana Cake
Banana cake is moist, fluffy, and sweet from the banana and pairs seamlessly with both chocolate frosting and cream cheese frosting. The cream cheese frosting will give it a bit of a banana pudding feel in the form of cake. Say no more.
5. Spice Cake
Spice cake is packed with the warm, spicy flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves and goes really well with a layer of rich, velvety cream cheese frosting. This combination feels so seasonal and perfect for fall, but it’s pretty great all year round.
6. Pumpkin Cake
Like spice cake and cream cheese frosting, pumpkin cake and cream cheese frosting is a perfect fall (or anytime) pairing. The sweetness from the pumpkin mixed with the tangy, less sweet frosting, and (usually) the warm spices in the cake makes for such a cozy dessert.
7. Lemon Cake
Bright, citrusy lemon cake with a smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting? It’s so good! The slight tartness of the lemon keeps everything light and fresh while still feeling indulgent.
8. Funfetti Cake
Funfetti cake tends to be super sweet, so cream cheese frosting is actually the perfect thing to pair with it because it’s not as overly sweet.
Amp Up the Flavor
When regular cream cheese frosting just isn’t what you’re looking for, consider stirring one of these extra ingredients to take your frosting’s flavor up a notch.
A little bit of lemon zest – for a bright, fresh twist
Cinnamon or nutmeg – perfect for spiced cakes
Maple syrup – adds a warm, cozy depth
Cocoa powder – for a chocolate cream cheese frosting
FAQs
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Yes! Use a gel food coloring for the best, most vibrant color. When you’re dying your frosting, make sure to start slowly, with just a tiny bit of food coloring, and adjust from there. Remember that cream cheese frosting will have a slightly off-white tint to it, so take that into account as well.
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Absolutely! Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week or in an airtight container or freezer-safe plastic baggie in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to use frozen frosting, thaw it overnight in the fridge and then give it a quick mix with your mixer (fitted with the paddle attachment) before using. When you’re ready to use chilled frosting, pull it out of the fridge about 15 minutes before you’re going to use it and give it a quick mix before using to bring back that perfect consistency.
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Yes, it will, depending on how warm the weather is. If you’re decorating in a hot climate or even just a hot kitchen, make sure you’re keeping your cake and tools as cool as possible until you’re ready to serve it.
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You can! This frosting, like a buttercream, can work well under fondant. After you crumb coat the cake with frosting, chill the cake before applying the fondant.
This cream cheese frosting for cake decorating is next-level luxurious, so creamy and buttery, slightly sweet and tangy, and so silky smooth. It works so well whether you’re frosting a casual sheet cake or stacking layer cakes and piping on intricate decorations, this cream cheese frosting will be your new favorite.
Prefer to order from the pros? We’ve got you covered! Shop our Cake Shop cakes here or reach out to inquire about custom cakes or wedding cakes. We can’t wait to work with you to bring your vision to life!
