If you’re on the lookout for a luscious, silky frosting that brings both creaminess and a touch of brightness, you absolutely have to try this Cream Cheese Frosting with Cream Recipe. It’s a personal favorite for adding that perfect tangy sweetness combined with a beautifully smooth texture that melts on your tongue. Whether you’re dressing up a spice cake or giving your red velvet an extra special treat, this frosting elevates your dessert game to a whole new level. The magic here is how the heavy cream blends smoothly into the classic cream cheese base, creating a frosting that’s light yet indulgent—making every bite a celebration.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient here is simple yet essential, working together to create a frosting that’s rich, fluffy, and perfectly balanced. Each component plays a vital role—from the tang of the lemon juice to the silky finish from the heavy cream—bringing harmony to this indulgent cream cheese frosting.
- Full fat Philadelphia cream cheese: Using full fat is key for that rich, creamy base and smooth texture.
- Granulated sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness and helps create the perfect consistency.
- Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to the frosting’s flavor profile.
- Lemon juice (fresh squeezed): Adds a subtle tang that brightens the whole frosting without overpowering.
- Kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and amplifies the flavors.
- COLD heavy cream: Slowly incorporated to whip up a light and fluffy texture that elevates the frosting.
- Powdered sugar (optional): Use to adjust sweetness to your taste, making the frosting uniquely yours.
How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting with Cream Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Mixer and Ingredients
Start by chilling your cream cheese and heavy cream. The heavy cream must be very cold to whip properly. A stand mixer with a whisk attachment works wonders here, though you can use a hand mixer if you’re ready to work those muscles and keep a high speed the whole time. Having a helper to pour the cream slowly is a game changer.
Step 2: Beat Cream Cheese and Sugar Until Smooth
In your mixer bowl, combine two 8-ounce packages of cold cream cheese with one cup of granulated sugar. Beat on medium-high speed for about two minutes. Stop halfway through to scrape down the bowl edges, ensuring an ultra smooth and creamy base without any lumps.
Step 3: Add Flavorings and Salt
Pour in one and a half teaspoons of vanilla extract and the same amount of fresh lemon juice. Then add three-quarters teaspoon of kosher salt (reduce to a quarter or half teaspoon if using table salt). Blend everything together for about a minute, scraping the bowl again to fully incorporate those flavors.
Step 4: Slowly Incorporate the Heavy Cream
Keep the mixer running on high and add the cold heavy cream gradually—just a tablespoon at a time. This step requires patience because the cream must blend fully before adding the next spoonful. The goal is to build volume and fluffy texture, so keep that whisk spinning!
Step 5: Watch for Those Perfect Peaks
As you continue adding cream, your frosting will thicken up and form soft peaks. You’ll notice you can drag a spoon through it and the lines remain—this is your sign that the frosting is perfectly whipped. If it feels too loose, just keep beating and adding a bit more cold cream if needed.
Step 6: Chill Until Ready
Once mixed, pop your frosting into the fridge to chill. This helps firm up the texture and melds the flavors beautifully. It’s also the perfect time to prepare your cake or cupcakes since this frosting holds well during chilling.
Step 7: Taste and Adjust Sweetness if Desired
Give your frosting a quick taste check. Cream cheese frosting normally has a nice tang, but if you prefer it sweeter, gently fold in powdered sugar one tablespoon at a time until the sweetness sings to your liking. This little adjustment personalizes your Cream Cheese Frosting with Cream Recipe perfectly.
How to Serve Cream Cheese Frosting with Cream Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle your frosted cake or cupcakes with a dusting of cocoa powder, a few lemon zest curls, or even crushed toasted nuts. These simple touches add texture and a lovely hint of contrast to the silkiness of the frosting.
Side Dishes
This frosting pairs wonderfully with spice cakes, red velvet, carrot cake, or even cinnamon rolls. It’s a versatile companion that enhances both classic and seasonal desserts alike, bringing a fresh, rich twist wherever it’s served.
Creative Ways to Present
Try piping the frosting using a star tip for elegant swirls or a rustic palette knife finish for a homemade feel. You can also layer it between cake layers for luscious creaminess inside. For a festive touch, add edible flowers or colorful sprinkles right before serving.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your delicious creation, stash any leftover Cream Cheese Frosting with Cream Recipe in an airtight container and refrigerate. It will stay fresh for up to a week, retaining its smooth texture and tangy flavor.
Freezing
If you want to keep it longer, freezing is an option. Freeze the frosting in a sealed container for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to use it, thaw it overnight in the fridge and then give it a quick whip before frosting your dessert.
Reheating
This frosting is best served chilled or at room temperature. If you find it’s too stiff after refrigeration, let it sit out for 10-15 minutes and then gently stir or whisk to soften—avoid heating as it can cause separation.
FAQs
Can I use low-fat cream cheese for this recipe?
For the creamiest and most stable result, full fat cream cheese is essential. Low-fat versions tend to have a softer texture and can result in a runnier frosting that doesn’t hold peaks as well.
Why is it important to add the cream slowly?
Adding cream slowly allows it to fully incorporate and whip with the cream cheese mixture, which helps build volume and achieve the light, fluffy texture that makes this frosting so special.
Can I make this frosting without a stand mixer?
Absolutely! A hand mixer works fine, just make sure to keep the speed high while adding the cream, and consider getting a helper to pour the cream slowly for you. Patience is the secret here.
Is the lemon juice necessary?
The lemon juice adds a subtle brightness that balances the richness of the cream cheese and cream. You can omit it if needed, but the frosting won’t have quite the same tangy lift that makes it so delightful.
How do I fix frosting that’s too runny?
If your frosting hasn’t reached soft peaks or feels too loose, try adding more cold heavy cream and continue beating. Chilling it in the fridge for a bit can also help it firm up nicely before serving.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, once you’ve made this Cream Cheese Frosting with Cream Recipe, it’s hard to go back to anything else. The combination of tangy cream cheese and fluffy whipped cream creates a frosting that’s luscious, light, and full of flavor. It’s perfect for a variety of cakes and sweet treats, and I can’t wait for you to experience just how magical this recipe really is. Give it a try—you’re going to love every creamy, dreamy bite!
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Cream Cheese Frosting with Cream Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Frosting
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Cream Cheese Frosting made with cold heavy cream is a smooth, tangy, and fluffy frosting perfect for cakes like Spice Cake or Red Velvet Cake. Made with full-fat cream cheese and whipped cold heavy cream for light peaks, this frosting delivers a rich texture and balanced sweetness. Highly recommended to use a stand mixer for best results.
Ingredients
Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients
- 2 (8-oz packages) full fat Philadelphia cream cheese (do NOT use low fat), cold
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice (fresh squeezed)
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt (start with 1/4 teaspoon if using table salt)
- 1 and 1/2 cups COLD heavy cream (added slowly)
- powdered sugar (optional, for adjusting sweetness, up to 1/2 cup)
Instructions
- Prepare Equipment: Use a stand mixer with the whisk attachment for the best volume and texture, or a hand mixer at the highest speed possible if a stand mixer is not available. Having an assistant is helpful.
- Beat Cream Cheese and Sugar: Place the 2 packages of cold cream cheese and 1 cup granulated sugar in the mixing bowl. Beat on medium-high speed for at least 2 minutes until smooth and creamy, scraping down the bowl sides halfway through.
- Add Flavorings: Add 1 and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1 and 1/2 teaspoons fresh squeezed lemon juice, and 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt (reduce if table salt). Beat for 1 minute until well combined, again scraping down the bowl edges.
- Prepare Heavy Cream: Ensure the heavy cream is very cold. For hand mixers, chilling the cream in the freezer for 5 minutes before use helps achieve better whipping.
- Incorporate Heavy Cream Slowly: With the mixer on high speed, add the cold heavy cream gradually, about 1 tablespoon at a time. Make sure each addition is fully incorporated before adding more. Keep mixing at high speed throughout.
- Form Peaks: Continue beating until the frosting holds peaks similar to whipped cream. You should be able to drag a spoon or beater through it and see defined marks.
- Chill: Store the frosting in the refrigerator until ready to use to maintain texture and freshness.
- Adjust Sweetness (Optional): Taste the frosting. If you prefer it sweeter, add powdered sugar 1 tablespoon at a time (up to 1/2 cup), beating to incorporate fully after each addition.
- Storage: Keep the cream cheese frosting refrigerated until use. It is ideal when applied to cakes like Spice Cake or Red Velvet Cake.
Notes
- Using a stand mixer is highly recommended for optimal texture and volume.
- If using a hand mixer, keep speed on high while adding cream slowly; chilling cream helps with whipping.
- Do not use low-fat cream cheese—full-fat varieties ensure proper texture and flavor.
- Starting with less salt if only table salt is available prevents over-salting.
- Powdered sugar is optional to adjust sweetness to taste.
- Keep the frosting well chilled before and after applying to preserve its fluffy texture.
