3-Ingredient Cream Cheese Frosting Without Butter Recipe
This 3-ingredient cream cheese frosting recipe omits butter to highlight the tangy, authentic cream cheese flavor. Smooth, spreadable, and easy to make, it uses just cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract to create a budget-friendly, last-minute frosting perfect for cakes, cupcakes, and cookies. The method ensures a consistently creamy texture without graininess or separation, ideal for professional-looking results at home.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus 2 hours for cream cheese softening)
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 17 minutes
- Yield: Enough to frost one 9-inch two-layer cake or about 24 cupcakes
- Category: Frosting
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Frosting Ingredients
- 16 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare Your Cream Cheese: Ensure cream cheese is softened to room temperature for at least 2 hours until soft but not greasy. Place in a mixing bowl and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth and lump-free.
- Incorporate the Vanilla: Reduce mixer speed to low and add vanilla extract. Mix for 30 seconds until fully blended without streaks.
- Gradually Add Powdered Sugar: Add sifted powdered sugar one cup at a time on low speed, fully incorporating each addition over 4-5 minutes to prevent sugar dust and achieve a thick, spreadable mixture.
- Whip to Perfect Consistency: Increase speed to medium-high and whip for 3-4 minutes until frosting is light, fluffy, and increased in volume about 30%, with a smooth and slightly glossy texture.
- Final Check and Storage Preparation: Test frosting consistency with spatula; adjust if needed by adding milk or cream to thin or more powdered sugar to thicken. Store in an airtight container with plastic wrap pressed on the surface if not using immediately. Refrigerate up to 5 days or freeze up to 3 months; rewhip after thawing.
Notes
- Always soften cream cheese at room temperature for best texture; avoid microwaving.
- Sift powdered sugar for smooth, grain-free frosting.
- Adjust frosting consistency gradually with milk or powdered sugar.
- Store frosting in airtight containers with plastic wrap on surface to prevent skin formation.
- Bring refrigerated frosting to room temperature and rewhip before use.
- Gel food coloring is recommended for tinting frosting without thinning.
- Use full-fat cream cheese for best stability and flavor.
- Frosting can be made up to 5 days in advance refrigerated or frozen for up to 3 months.
Keywords: cream cheese frosting, butterless frosting, easy frosting recipe, 3 ingredient frosting, tangy cream cheese frosting, no butter frosting, cake frosting, cupcake frosting
