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
Scale
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.
