How to Make Chef John's Cream Cheese Frosting - A Step-by-Step Guide

Cream cheese frosting is a rich and creamy topping that is perfect for a variety of baked goods, from carrot cake to red velvet cupcakes. This recipe for Chef John's Cream Cheese Frosting is simple to make and yields a luscious, smooth frosting that is sure to elevate any dessert.

Unlike traditional buttercream frosting, which can be overly sweet, cream cheese frosting has a tangy flavor that pairs beautifully with many different types of cakes and cupcakes. The addition of cream chees...

Read more

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup butter, softened
  • 1 (4 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 ¾ cups confectioners' sugar, or more to taste

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 15 mins
  • Servings: 12
  • Yield: 2 cups

  • Place butter, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and lemon juice into the work bowl of a large stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment; beat mixture on medium speed until smooth.
  • Scrape down the attachment and sides of bowl; add confectioners' sugar to butter mixture. Mix at low speed until confectioners' sugar begins to incorporate into butter mixture. Raise mixer speed to high and beat until frosting is light and fluffy, scraping sides occasionally, about 3 minutes. Frosting will set up and become firmer when refrigerated.
  • Nutrition

    139 cal.

    • Total Fat: 7g
    • Saturated Fat: 5g
    • Cholesterol: 21mg
    • Sodium: 55mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 19g
    • Total Sugars: 18g
    • Protein: 1g
    • Vitamin C: 0mg
    • Calcium: 9mg
    • Iron: 0mg
    • Potassium: 14mg