Skip to Content

Classic Cream Cheese Frosting

Thanks for sharing!

This classic cream cheese frosting recipe makes the perfect topping for carrot cake, pumpkin bars, chocolate cake and more. It is rich and full of cream cheese flavor.

Glass mixing bowl filled with creamy cream cheese frosting ready to use.

You have to have a great recipe for classic cream cheese frosting. It is a must in any baker’s arsenal.  

It comes together quickly and is perfect for so many kinds of cake.  Baking a carrot cake?  You have to have cream cheese frosting!  

Mixer beater filled with cream cheese frosting.

Need something for your chocolate cake?  Cream cheese frosting!  

Making a strawberry cake?  Wouldn’t it be lovely with some cream cheese frosting?!  

You get my point.  Anyway, this is easy and delicious and a must make in any kitchen!

Piece of carrot cake topped with cream cheese frosting.

Some people do half butter and half cream cheese in their frosting, but I love that this is almost all cream cheese.  It leaves that cream cheese tang in tact and is perfect for Linda’s Carrot Cake, which just so happens to be where this recipe comes from!

If you are a frosting fanatic like me, check out my Frosting 101. It goes through the different types of frosting and links to all sorts of delicious recipes! 

Yield: 12 Servings

Classic Cream Cheese Frosting

Glass mixing bowl filled with creamy cream cheese frosting ready to use.

This classic cream cheese frosting recipe makes the perfect topping for carrot cake, pumpkin bars, chocolate cake and more. It is rich and full of cream cheese flavor.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 lb (about 3 cups) powdered sugar
  • 3 Tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

  1. Cream butter and cream cheese together
  2. Add sugar and vanilla and mix until smooth and creamy
  3. Frost cooled cake

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 94Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 82mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 1g

All nutritional information is estimated and will depend on the exact ingredients you use.

Did you make this recipe?

I'd love to see it! Share a picture on Instagram or Pinterest and tag me @carleecooks to let me know how it went!

This classic cream cheese frosting recipe makes the perfect topping for carrot cake, pumpkin bars, chocolate cake and more. It is rich and full of cream cheese flavor.

Thanks for sharing!

Carol

Friday 31st of March 2023

My recipe is exactly the same except mine calls for 2 tbl. of butter not 3. What can I do to make this recipe not so sweet? Should I add the 3rd tbl. of butter ? Would anything else helpful ?

Carlee

Friday 31st of March 2023

The extra butter will help a bit. You could also add a teaspoon or two of lemon juice to help reduce the sweetness. Alternatively, you could use less powdered sugar but you will need enough to give the frosting body.

Cassie Tucker

Sunday 13th of March 2016

Cream cheese frosting is my favorite type of frosting. Thanks for sharing with Tips and Tricks Link Party :)

Carlee

Sunday 13th of March 2016

it definitely ranks up there for me too, but it is hard to pick a favorite!

Katie

Sunday 6th of March 2016

Ooooooo I agree Carlee, I like to see the little flecks of vanilla in the frosting, too :) Perfect timing for Easter my dear!

Carlee

Monday 7th of March 2016

Those little specks just make it feel extra special! Thanks!

Michele

Saturday 5th of March 2016

Cream cheese frosting is my all-time favorite frosting flavor. I love putting it on chocolate cake. Or ANYTHING for that matter! This recipe sounds really good because it's made with mostly cream cheese and not half butter.

Carlee

Saturday 5th of March 2016

It definitely ranks right up there for me too! I love cream cheese frosting in all of its forms, but I really like how much this one taste like cream cheese. Yum!

Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies

Thursday 3rd of March 2016

Cream Cheese Frosting, one of life's greatest pleasures! Yours sounds outstanding!

Carlee

Friday 4th of March 2016

Yes mam! Thank you!

Skip to Recipe