How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting

Learn to make an easy cream cheese frosting you can use for so many great desserts!

There are so many desserts in need of a cream cheese frosting - from carrot cake to cheesecake bars, and so much more, this is one of those standard recipes you just have to master. Luckily, we've created this step-by-step guide to making your very own cream cheese frosting from scratch. This simple recipe takes no time at all to make and is such a versatile frosting, you'll be able to use it for so many future desserts! Learn to make cream cheese frosting at home with pantry and refrigerated items you probably already have on hand.

Easy Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese at room temperature
2 sticks butter at room temperature
2 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
4 cups sifted powdered sugar

Directions:
1. In an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, butter, milk, and vanilla on medium-high until mixed and fluffy, for 2 minutes. Scrape down the bowl with a rubber scraper.

2. Add the powdered sugar gradually and continue to beat until frosting is mixed, adding a bit more milk if necessary to reach spreading consistency.

2 Cake Recipes Using Cream Cheese Frosting

Try out your new frosting skills with two of our best test kitchen cake recipes - each using cream cheese frosting! Layered cakes are delicious enough, but when they're as moist and creamy as our Southern Hummingbird Cake and our Triple Layer Carrot Cake, you'll wonder if you have a need for any other homemade cake recipes at all. These are perfect for holidays or just because. Make your cakes completely from scratch with our homemade cream cheese frosting and the easy recipes below!