Cream cheese frosting that comes out perfect every time and is great on top of cupcakes, cakes, cookies, and cinnamon rolls!

Cream cheese buttercream frosting on the whisk attachment of a stand mixer.

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Below you will find tips, tricks and helpful hints for making this recipe including step by step instructions with pictures. If you would like to go directly to the recipe, scroll down to the recipe card.

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

I have always had a love/hate relationship with Cream Cheese Frosting.

I love the way that the tanginess of the frosting compliments sweet treats like cinnamon rolls and cookies.

Cream cheese frosting on red velvet cinnamon rolls

But, I don’t like that whenever I would make it, I could never get it to not be runny.

How to make Cream Cheese Frosting that isn’t Runny

I did a lot of research to figure what was causing my my frosting to be runny and I picked up a few tips:

Use room temperature ingredients
Don’t over beat the cream cheese
Use equal amounts of butter and cream cheese

Do you have to refrigerate cream cheese frosting?

You should refrigerate cream cheese frosting. It can be left at a cool room temperature for about 8 hours but must be refrigerated after that.

Just make sure to remove the frosting from the refrigerator about 30 minutes to 1 hour before you need it, to allow it to come to room temperature.

Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients

*Ingredient amounts are located in the recipe card at the end of this post.

Softened Butter– You can use either salted or unsalted butter to make this frosting.

Softened Cream Cheese- For the best results, use full fat cream cheese.

Powdered Sugar– This is a standard ingredient to make frosting and will give the frosting it’s structure.

Vanilla Extract- Vanilla will enhance the sweetness of the cream cheese frosting.

Milk or Heavy Cream- This is used to thin out the frosting if it is too thick.

Order These Ingredients from Instacart Here!

How to Make Perfect Cream Cheese Frosting

[1] Begin by placing the softened butter in the bowl of a stand mixer with a whisk attachment. (I like Kitchenaid or Bosch)

[2] Whip the butter for 1-2 minutes.

Butter in a mixing bowl for cream cheese frosting

[3] Add the softened cream cheese to the bowl and beat for another minute.

Cream cheese and butter for cream cheese frosting

[4] Mix in the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating in between.

Powdered sugar in a bowl to make cream cheese frosting

[5] Add the vanilla extract then whip the frosting for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.

[6] If your frosting is too thick, add milk or cream 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.

Vanilla in a bowl of cream cheese frosting

[7] Serve with your favorite baked goods like cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, cakes, and cookies!

Cream cheese frosting being piped onto red velvet cinnamon rolls.

Helpful Kitchen Tools

Perfect Cream Cheese Frosting

Name: Perfect Cream Cheese Frosting
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 3
Ingredients: 1 Cup Butter, softened; 8 Ounces Cream Cheese, softened; 4 Cups Powdered Sugar; 1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract; 2-4 Tablespoons Milk or Heavy Cream

Yield: 3 Cups

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 Cup Butter, softened
8 Ounces Cream Cheese, softened
4 Cups Powdered Sugar
1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
2-4 Tablespoons Milk or Heavy Cream

Instructions

Place the softened butter in the bowl of a stand mixer with a whisk attachment.
Whip the butter for 1-2 minutes.
Add the softened cream cheese and beat for 1 minute.
Mix in the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating in between.
Add the vanilla extract and whip the frosting for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
If your frosting is too thick, add milk or cream 1 tablespoon at a time, until your desired consistency is reached.
Serve with your favorite baked goods like cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, cakes, and cookies.