Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting (2024)

Last update: Published: by Fadela This post may contain affiliate links

Jump to Recipe·Leave a Review

Whip up this delicious Whipped cream cheese frosting recipe in just 5 minutes to fill and decorate all your cakes! This light and tasty frosting, similar to whipped cream but made with Philadelphia cream cheese, is super easy to make and perfect on cupcakes or carrot cake.

Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting (1)
Jump to:
  • Why you'll love this recipe
  • Ingredients you need
  • How to Make Cream Cheese Whipped Cream
  • How to use this frosting
  • Tips for this recipe
  • Storage
  • Recipe Questions
  • More Frosting Recipes
  • Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting

This whipped cream cheese frosting offers a lighter and fluffier alternative to the traditional cream cheese frosting made with unsalted butter like my buttercream cream cheese frosting recipe and commonly found in the traditional carrot cake or red velvet cake recipe.

This whipped cream frosting made with cream cheese is as light as mascarpone frosting but firmer than regular whipped cream frosting and offers a tangier flavor and an added touch of freshness that pairs wonderfully with spiced cakes, like this gingerbread house cake or those mini red Velvet cupcakes.

With just 3 basic ingredients— full fat cream cheese, heavy cream, and powdered sugar—this is my favorite frosting ready in 5 minutes and perfect with a piping bag onto cupcakes or for filling and decorating a cake.

Why you'll love this recipe

  • Easy 5-Minute Recipe: An ultra-simple and quick frosting to make with simple ingredients, along with my tips for perfecting it and best results.
  • Cream Cheese Flavor: You get a delicious frosting, light and indulgent with the slightly tangy taste of cream cheese.
  • Perfect for Baking: A creamy and firm texture, best frosting for piping decorations on your cupcakes and for filling and decorating a layer cake.

Ingredients you need

You need these ingredients to make this whipped cream frosting recipe with cream cheese:

  • Cream Cheese: Use full-fat and cold cream cheese (not room temperature).
  • Heavy Cream: Cold heavy cream or heavy whipping cream, 30-35% fat content, and well-chilled.
  • Powdered Sugar: Only use extra fine powdered sugar (confectioners' sugar or icing sugar) for a smooth frosting (no granulated sugar).
  • Vanilla and Salt: Optionally, for flavoring, use liquid vanilla extract, vanilla paste or seeds from a vanilla pod, and a small pinch of salt.
Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting (2)

How to Make Cream Cheese Whipped Cream

Here are some quick visual instructions. Don't forget that full instructions with exact ingredients can be found in the main recipe card below!

Step 1: Place all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl: cold cream cheese, cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla and salt (optional).

Step 2: Whip with an electric mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes until thick and smooth.

Enjoy: Use your stabilized whipped cream cheese mixture immediately on all your cakes and cupcakes, or store it in the fridge.

Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting (3)
Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting (4)

How to use this frosting

  • Red velvet cupcakes: Topping red velvet cupcakes like my mini red velvet cupcakes.
  • Fill and decorate a birthday cake: Fill and lightly cover a birthday cake like this delicious strawberry whipped cream cake.
  • Carrot cake: To fill a carrot cake like this delicious carrot cake with cream cheese frosting.
  • Carrot cake cupcakes: This frosting is perfect for topping my carrot cake cupcakes.
  • Brownies: Spread a thin layer of frosting over chocolate brownies for an indulgent, creamy variation.
  • Cookies: Make chocolate or vanilla sandwich cookies with this frosting.
  • Fruit tarts: Use the frosting as a lightly sweetened base under fresh fruit like fresh berries to add a creamy texture.
Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting (5)

Tips for this recipe

  • Quality Ingredients: Use high-quality and full-fat cream cheese, cold and full-fat heavy cream, sifted powdered sugar, and pure vanilla extract for the best taste and texture.
  • Cold bowl ingredients: Before starting, place the bowl you'll be using to whip the ingredients in the freezer for about 10 minutes. Make sure the heavy cream is also very cold.
  • Mix at low speed: Always use the lowest speed of your mixer, preferably an electric hand mixer rather than a stand mixer, especially if you're making small quantities.
  • Do Not Overwhip: Whip the mixture just enough to combine the ingredients and achieve a smooth and creamy consistency. Avoid overwhipping to prevent the frosting from becoming grainy.
  • Immediate Use: Use the frosting right after making it to ensure the best texture on your cakes.

Storage

In the fridge: Store leftover frosting in the fridge, covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.

Freezing: It's not recommended to freeze this frosting, as its texture may change after thawing. It's possible to freeze it when it's already spread inside a layer cake.

Variations & Substitutions

  • With cookies: With Oreo cookie crumbs as in these Oreo cream cheese frosting, biscoff cookies or other dried cookies.
  • Spreads: Nutella like this Nutella Cream cheese frosting (coming soon) biscoff butter spread or other spreads.
  • Cream cheese buttercream frosting: For a more buttercream version, try this recipe for buttercream cream cheese frosting, a mixture of whipped buttercream with Philadelphia cheese.
  • Maple Cinnamon: Stir in maple syrup and a dash of cinnamon for a cozy, autumn-inspired flavor.
  • Chocolate Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting: Mix in melted and cooled chocolate or cocoa powder for a rich chocolate frosting like in this chocolate mascarpone frosting.
  • Berry flavor: With strawberry compote, raspberry compote or lemon blueberry compote for a fruity flavor.
  • Caramel Swirl: Fold in thick French salted butter caramel sauce for a decadent caramel whipped cream cheese frosting.
  • Citrus Zest: Add lemon, lime, lemon curd, or orange zest for a refreshing citrus note that pairs wonderfully with cakes and cupcakes.
  • Boozy Frosting: Incorporate a small amount of your favorite liqueur, like Baileys, rum, or bourbon, for an adult twist.

Recipe Questions

Can this cream cheese frosting be colored?

Yes, it's possible to color it naturally with fruit purees or food coloring, preferably gel food coloring so as not to affect its texture or very small quantities of liquid food coloring.

How do I make whipped cream cheese frosting dairy-free?

Use dairy-free cream cheese and a plant-based whipping cream alternative. Ensure they're suitable for whipping to achieve a similar texture.

Can this frosting be used for piping?

Yes, it's possible to use it with a piping bag, but its texture won't be as firm as buttercream. You can use a 1:1 ratio of cream cheese and heavy cream to thicken it, and be sure to let your cakes chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour to firm up.

How can I thicken whipped cream cheese frosting if it's too runny?

If your frosting is runny after following my recipe amounts, it means you haven't whipped it enough. The ingredients also need to be very cold to ensure a thick frosting.

More Frosting Recipes

  • Oreo Cream Cheese Frosting
  • Raspberry Whipped Cream Frosting
  • Nutella Mascarpone Whipped Cream Frosting
  • Fresh Strawberry Whipped Cream
Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting (10)

I hope you love this whipped cream and cream cheese frosting. If you make it, be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Happy Baking!

Print

Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting (11)

Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

  • Author: Fadela
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 10 portions
Print Recipe

Save Recipe

Description

Light and fluffy whipped cream frosting made with cream cheese (for topping 10-12 cupcakes or filling a 6inch/ 15 cm cake)

Ingredients

  • 150 g (5.3 oz) Cream Cheese - Philadelphia
  • 225 ml (1 cup) Heavy Cream - full-fat and cold
  • 60 g (½ cup) Powdered Sugar
  • 1 tsp Vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch of Salt - optional

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients in a large bowl: cold cream cheese, cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla extract and salt (optional).
  2. Whip with an electric mixer or in your stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment on slow-medium speed for about 2 minutes until thick and creamy.
  3. Use immediately or refrigerate.

Notes

Storage: Up to 3-4 days in the fridge under plastic wrap or in an airtight container.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: frosting
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: a portion
  • Calories: 116
  • Sugar: 6.8 g
  • Sodium: 282.9 mg
  • Fat: 9.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 7.2 g
  • Protein: 1.2 g
  • Cholesterol: 28 mg
Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting (2024)

FAQs

Is it possible to over whip cream cheese frosting? ›

Whipped Frosting: 3 Success Tips (Do Not Miss These!)

While you can over-whip the frosting after you add the heavy cream, you cannot over-mix the 1st 3 ingredients in the recipe. Beat the cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla extract together for as long as you need to rid all of the cream cheese lumps.

How do you thicken cream cheese whipped cream frosting? ›

Mix 1 tablespoon (25 grams) of cornstarch into the frosting. If it is still too runny, add a little more. Continue to add cornstarch until you are happy with the texture. Avoid adding more than 1/2 cup (62.5 grams) of cornstarch per 8 oz (226 grams) of cream cheese.

Can I use whipped cream cheese instead of block for frosting? ›

Can I use whipped cream cheese instead of block for frosting? Absolutely! If you think this frosting is light and fluffy already, just think of how gorgeous that texture will be with pre-whipped cream cheese!

Why is my whipped cream cheese frosting runny? ›

First, make sure that you used a block of cream cheese and not the already whipped version in the tub. Second, if your frosting seems runny, mix it on high until it comes together. It will hold the lines of the beaters during whipping. To make it more firm, refrigerate it.

Should I refrigerate cream cheese frosting before piping? ›

Cream cheese frosting will hold its decorative piped shape if you refrigerate it prior to piping. Fit your piping bag with a piping tip, fill your bag with the frosting, then refrigerate it for 20-30 minutes before piping. However, don't expect it to be as sturdy as buttercream.

How to fix runny cream cheese frosting? ›

How to thicken cream cheese frosting. If the consistency is too thin or runny you can put the frosting mixture in the fridge for up to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. If it's still too thin, take out some of the runny mixture and beat in some more cream cheese.

How to make store-bought cream cheese frosting better? ›

For a (16-ounce) tub of frosting, anywhere from ½ cup to 1 cup of crunchy additions will do the trick. Toasted nuts, coconut flakes, chocolate chips or chunks, halvah, and toffee will all add a fun new dimension of flavor. Stir in chopped up canned pineapple or fresh berries for an extra fruity kick.

How to fix frosting that is too runny? ›

How do you fix frosting that is too runny? Add small amounts of ingredients like powdered sugar, cornstarch, gelatin, heavy whipping cream, or cream cheese to make your frosting less runny. For flavored frostings, ingredients like cocoa powder and peanut butter can also work.

Should you whip canned cream cheese frosting? ›

Always begin by scraping the frosting into a mixing bowl and stirring vigorously or mixing with a mixer until smooth and creamy. This simple step of incorporating air into a can of dense store-bought frosting will make it fluffy and enhance the flavor.

What happens if you mix frosting with whipped cream? ›

Fold in whipped cream: "Add fresh, homemade whipped cream to your frosting for a richer and airy taste," says Johnson. Mix equal parts frosting to whipped cream, but be sure not to use canned whipped cream. Canned whipped cream is too light and won't hold its shape while mixing.

Can you color whipped cream cheese frosting? ›

Add a few drops of gel or oil based food colouring if you are going to colour the whipped cream frosting. Use a stand mixer or handheld mixer with whisk attachment on low speed and whisk/mix for about 30 seconds.

What happens if you over whip cream cheese frosting? ›

Overbeating cream cheese frosting can make it too runny. When all the sugar is incorporated into the frosting, don't beat it for much longer to avoid overbeating. If the frosting is too soft, pop it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to harden before piping.

Will cream cheese frosting thicken in the fridge? ›

How To Thicken Cream Cheese Frosting. Sift 1/4 cup powdered sugar OR 1/4 cup cornstarch and ass to the cream cheese frosting. Whip it up at high speed until the desired consistency is formed. Place the frosting in the fridge for 20 minutes before frosting your dessert to allow it to harden properly.

How to thicken cream cheese frosting without cornstarch? ›

Dry/thick ingredients like cocoa powder, freeze dried fruit (powder,) and peanut butter will help thicken frosting, while vanilla and brown butter should be added sparingly to make sure it's the right texture. Storage Tips: Once you achieve the perfect consistency, store your frosting in an airtight container.

What happens if you beat frosting too much? ›

Too much whipping can leave air bubbles in your buttercream frosting. It's a minor problem and won't ruin the flavour or texture, but it may not look as pretty when it comes to decorating. Don't leave your buttercream frosting whipping forever and ever if you don't want air bubbles.

How do you fix over whipped icing? ›

Most batches of overwhipped cream can be saved using this easy trick: With the mixer running at low speed, slowly drizzle cold, unwhipped heavy cream into the mixing bowl. Keep adding cream until the broken whipped cream regains its fluffy texture.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Van Hayes

Last Updated:

Views: 6437

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (46 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Van Hayes

Birthday: 1994-06-07

Address: 2004 Kling Rapid, New Destiny, MT 64658-2367

Phone: +512425013758

Job: National Farming Director

Hobby: Reading, Polo, Genealogy, amateur radio, Scouting, Stand-up comedy, Cryptography

Introduction: My name is Van Hayes, I am a thankful, friendly, smiling, calm, powerful, fine, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.