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Bowl of smooth vanilla cream cheese frosting with a spatula beside a slice of frosted cake.

Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting

This frosting spreads in soft, neat swirls with just enough cream cheese tang to temper the sugar. Give the butter and cream cheese time to soften first for that smooth bakery-style finish.

By Betty Lou Gardner10 minUpdated 2026-08-22

This quick frosting combines the richness of buttercream with just enough cream cheese to soften the sweetness and add a gentle tang. It comes together in about 10 minutes and is especially good on spice cakes, carrot cake, zucchini cake, cinnamon desserts, bars, cupcakes, and cookies.

Betty Lou Gardner in a family archival photograph

Granny’s Kitchen Notes

From Betty Lou Gardner

I always let the butter and cream cheese soften properly first because cold cream cheese never seems to smooth out completely no matter how long you beat it. Sometimes I add just a teaspoon of milk or cream if the frosting feels too stiff, especially when I’m spreading it over spice cakes or cinnamon cakes.

How to Make Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting

◆
Butter and cream cheese being beaten together in a mixing bowl until smooth and fluffy.
01

Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese with a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes, scraping the bowl once, until completely smooth and fluffy.

Vanilla extract being added to whipped butter and cream cheese in a mixing bowl.
02

Add the Vanilla

Beat in the vanilla extract on low speed just until evenly combined.

Sifted powdered sugar being added to the cream cheese frosting mixture.
03

Add the Powdered Sugar

With the mixer on low speed, gradually beat in the sifted powdered sugar about 1 cup at a time. Scrape the bowl, then beat on medium speed for 30 to 60 seconds, just until smooth, creamy, and able to hold soft swirls.

Milk or cream being added to vanilla cream cheese frosting to adjust the consistency.
04

Adjust the Texture if Needed

If the frosting is too thick, beat in milk or cream 1 teaspoon at a time until spreadable. If it is too soft, chill it for 15 minutes; if needed, beat in extra powdered sugar 1 tablespoon at a time.

Bowl of smooth vanilla cream cheese frosting with a spatula beside a slice of frosted cake.
Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting.
05

Frost the Dessert

Spread over completely cooled cakes, cupcakes, bars, or cookies. Use immediately, or refrigerate in an airtight container until needed.

Bowl of smooth vanilla cream cheese frosting with a spatula beside a slice of frosted cake.

Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting

This frosting spreads in soft, neat swirls with just enough cream cheese tang to temper the sugar. Give the butter and cream cheese time to soften first for that smooth bakery-style finish.

By Betty Lou Gardner

Prep10 minCook0 minTotal10 minDifficultyEasy
PrintReview

Ingredients

Scale

Cream Cheese Frosting

Optional Adjustments

Instructions

  1. ½ cup unsalted butter, 3 oz full-fat brick-style cream cheeseSuggested timer: 2 minutes
  2. 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  3. 2½ cups powdered sugarSuggested timer: 1 minutes
  4. milk or cream, extra powdered sugarSuggested timer: 15 minutes

Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)

Yield

3 cups — Serving size: About 2 tablespoons

Calories
95
Carbohydrates
12.5 g
Protein
0.3 g
Fat
5 g
Saturated Fat
3 g
Cholesterol
10 mg
Sodium
10 mg
Fiber
0 g
Total Sugars
12.5 g

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Betty Lou Gardner

Betty Lou Gardner

Betty Lou Gardner’s family recipes are preserved in Granny’s Recipe Box.

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