I am so excited to share this Cream Cheese Buttercream recipe with you because it is one of my most requested frosting recipes of all time! Although I include it with my recipes for Red Velvet Cake, Pumpkin Layer Cake, Lemon Layer Cake, and Pumpkin Cupcakes, I finally decided to create a standalone post just for this frosting. It’s the perfect consistency for piping, frosting cakes smooth, and decorating cupcakes, all without being too sweet or complicated to make. It’s become my go-to and I hope you love it as much as I do!
Before this recipe, I dreaded working with Cream Cheese Buttercream because it’s usually so soft (unless you add way too much powdered sugar). After lots of experimenting and researching though, I found some ways to thicken it up for cake decorating and now it’s a joy to work with! To make it the perfect consistency, I like to add cornstarch in with the powdered sugar. It helps thicken and stabilize the frosting without adding any flavor – basically like adding powdered sugar without the sweetness! You can certainly skip the cornstarch and still have a great Cream Cheese Buttercream as well – it’ll just be a little bit softer.
Another important ingredient in this frosting is brick-style full-fat cream cheese. It’s critical that you don’t use low-fat or spreadable cream cheese, as these variations contain way more water than the full-fat brick kind. That means your frosting will be extra soft, liquidy, and overall frustrating to work with. I always use the Philadelphia brand, but feel free to experiment with other brands as long as they meet the general requirements.
One more tip for working with Cream Cheese Buttercream: if you find that your kitchen environment is humid or the frosting is still a bit soft, pop it in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes, then re-mix it on low in your stand mixer. The butter in the recipe will solidify a little bit in the refrigerator, so the overall buttercream should feel a bit thicker afterwards.
Here’s a quick video to show you how to make this Cream Cheese Buttercream before you read all about it below:
If you love recipe videos like this one, be sure to check out my YouTube channel! I’ve got a growing collection of recipes, decorating tutorials, and Cake Basics over there. Hit the subscribe button on my page so you never miss a new video.
Cream Cheese Buttercream
Ingredients
- 4 Cups (480g) powdered sugar
- 1/4 Cup (32g) buttermilk powder or cornstarch (optional)*
- 1/2 Cup (113g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 8 Oz (226g) full-fat cream cheese, room temperature brick-style, not the spread
- 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Sift together the powdered sugar and buttermilk powder or cornstarch (if using) and set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and cream cheese on medium-high until light, fluffy, and uniform (no lumps), about 5 minutes.
- Turn the mixer to low speed and add the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture a few cups at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition and scraping down the bowl and paddle as needed. Add the vanilla and salt and mix on low for another minute, until fully combined and smooth.
Notes
- Frost 12-15 cupcakes with a piping bag
- Fill and crumb coat a three-layer 6-inch cake or two-layer 8-inch cake. To have enough for frosting and decorating as well, double the recipe.
Did you make this Cream Cheese Buttercream? I want to know how it went! Let me know in the comments below or feel free to tag @sugarandsparrowco on Instagram. I’d love to see how you used it!
I used cornstarch and do not recommend it. It made the frosting taste vaguely corn like. I was trying to figure out why it reminded me of tamales and then realized. I would omit this ingredient as it does alter the taste and is detectable. Use the buttermilk powder or omit this step.
Hi Alicia! Did you by chance use corn flour? Cornstarch shouldn’t taste like corn/tamales, but maybe the flavor varies from brand to brand. In any case, I do prefer the flavor of buttermilk powder in this recipe so maybe try that next time if you need a thicker cream cheese buttercream.
I am planning to use the Zulka brand powdered cane sugar, it already has cornstarch in it. Is that sufficient or should I still use more?
Also, can we just use salted butter instead of unsalted and adding salt? I plan to use the Kirkland brand grass fed butter.
Thanks!
Hi Luba! Most powdered sugars have cornstarch mixed in, so if you want to make the frosting extra stable I recommend adding the additional cornstarch (or milk powder or meringue powder) to stabilize it. Those additives are optional though, this frosting recipe makes fairly thick cream cheese frosting as-is. And yes, you can use salted butter and omit the salt in the recipe. Enjoy!
Could you use unflavored gelatin for this instead of cornstarch?
Hi Lesia! I haven’t tried it with unflavored gelatin but a friend suggested powdered buttermilk as a replacement for the cornstarch. I have yet to try it myself but it sounds like it would taste amazing and helps make the buttercream thicker for piping in the same way cornstarch would.
Hi there, I’m looking at trying this recipe for my daughter’s birthday cake coming up. I usually use your vanilla buttercream recipe which I love but want to try a cream cheese version for a change. Can I ask, can you colour cream cheese frosting just like you can with buttercream, using colour food gel? It’s going to be a unicorn cake so I need blue, pink and purple. Thank you so much
Hi Amy! Yes, you can color cream cheese buttercream exactly the same way as my other vanilla buttercream recipe. A unicorn cake sounds so fun!!
Hi Whitney! I’m 21 years old and never been happier to come across your frosting recipe on tiktok! I made my first decorated cake for my boyfriend’s birthday and his whole family couldn’t stop talking about it! His aunt ordered two cakes for this coming 4th of July, and i will definitely be using your cream cheese buttercream frosting. Thank you so much! Not only is this frosting really good! But it was a HUGE ice breaker between me and my boyfriend’s family, and it means so much to me. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. ❤️
Yay, Perla! That makes me so happy 🙂 I’m glad you made such a great impression!
Hi there, love all your recipes, your IG is beautiful, I’m a big fan!! Quick question, does your cream cheese buttercream recipe stiffen slightly to form a thin crust after being pipped or spread on cakes & cupcakes?
Hi Sandy! Thanks for the kind words 🙂 and yes, this buttercream does crust slightly.
Hello Whitne. I tried your recipe but I couldn’t find brick style cream cheese and so I used the spreadable one. Unfortunately it came out runny …I am wondering , if I use more sugar will it be thickened ?
Hi Maria. Unfortunately the spreadable cream cheese has too much water content to make a good consistency cream cheese unless you add a ton of powdered sugar which will affect the taste. I don’t know of a brick-style cream cheese substitute. I can only recommend trying a different flavor of frosting like my vanilla buttercream: https://sugarandsparrow.com/vanilla-buttercream-recipe/
i was wondering if i could use margarine instead of butter and it would still be stable enough to decorate a cake with?
Hi Isabelle! Margarine is a lot softer than butter and therefore won’t yield as stable a frosting as butter will. It will be a softer/thinner consistency but it will technically work. Hope that helps!
Is this Gluten free?
Hi Zane! Yes, it’s gluten free. Sometimes cornstarch and powdered sugar are made in the same facilities as gluten products though, so be sure to check your labels if you’re worried about gluten contamination.
Simple, delicious, had a good time making it and an even better time eating it. I like to make cupcakes a few times a month and this is second icing recipe I have used of yours. Would love a chocolate cake recipe from scratch and of course delicious buttercream chocolate icing recipe to go on top. Thank you and God bless. I bake with love ❤️
Hi whitney,
I’ve tried so many of your recipes and they all come our perfect.
Just want to know will the raw corn strach have a noticeable taste ?
Hi Mahnoor! I’m so happy you’ve been loving my recipes! You can’t taste the cornstarch in this recipe.
I can taste raw cornstarch, I measured very carefully…am I the only one who can taste it? It’s for a kids birthday party, hopefully they won’t notice, I will only use it for filling and crumb coat, and do a different frosting for underneath the fondant. Was going to try your buttercream, but now hesitant because of the cornstarch 🙁
Hi Michelle! I’ve never been able to taste the cornstarch in this recipe but if you feel that there’s too much of a cornstarch flavor you can omit it or reduce it next time. None of my other recipes have cornstarch added, it’s only added in this one to make it more stable for piping.
Hi! Am concerned about the amount of sugar. Do you add this much to make it more consistent or even with the amount mentioned it will not be overly sweet??
Hi Danna! This is the correct amount of sugar for this recipe. Most cream cheese buttercream recipes use even more sugar than this. The powdered sugar plays a huge role in stabilizing this frosting to be spreadable consistency, but I like to use a little cornstarch to lessen the amount of sugar while creating the perfect consistency.
Hi!
I followed the recipe in my thermomix with the paddle, but it is very thin and runny. Do I throw it out and start again?
Hi Skye, did you use brick style cream cheese or the spread kind (in the tub)? The spread kind contains a lot more water content which can result in a very thin buttercream.
Hi Whitney,
Can I use meringue powder instead of cornstarch? Also, could I substitute the butter with shortening?
Hi there! I’ve never tried this recipe with meringue powder but if you want to experiment with it, I would add about 1 Tbsp of meringue powder per batch. Let me know if you try it!
Hi Whitney!
Quick question, my cream cheese frosting cracks after several hours. Why is that? I use Philly Cream Cheese, sugar, vanilla essence. Is it the lacking of butter making my frosting crack?
Much love from Malaysia!
Hi Yazreen! In your recipe, are you using powdered sugar or granulated sugar? Is the only difference butter? It sounds like the frosting either doesn’t have enough fat in it or is otherwise too dry somehow but these are just guesses. I’d have to see the recipe you’re using to try and figure it out.
love your cakes, I can’t wait to try this cheese buttercream. greetings from Spain.
Thanks so much, Ana! I hope you love this recipe!
Hi Whitney,
Do you think that this recipe, as is, is thick enough to use with Russian piping tips? Or should I add a bit more cornstarch?
Hi Victoria! I’ve actually never tried Russian piping tips so I’m not sure how stiff the frosting should be! It’s definitely stiff enough for lambeth piping but you could always try it as-is and add extra cornstarch/powdered sugar from there if it’s not stiff enough.
Hi Whitney, Wondering if I could use this to frost a semi-naked cake? Would the consistency be too thick?
Hi Delia! This frosting works great for semi-naked cakes.
Hi Whitney,
i just made the creamcheese frosting. It taste amazing! I only have 1 problem..i think it is curdled. It’s also very soft. I don’t think i can pipe it, or frost my cake with it. What can i do?
Thank you!
Hi Anneroos! Oh no. Did you use block cream cheese or the spreadable kind? I only ask because the spread has way more liquid content in it and will make the end result very runny. If you did use block cream cheese, put the frosting in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes, then re-mix it with your stand mixer. That should make a more cohesive frosting.
Hi Whitney
I’m making a 6 layer cake, must I double the recipe?
Hi Nurah! If you’re filling and frosting the cake I would probably triple the recipe for 6 layers.
This was wonderful. Everyone loved it! I used the recommendation from another commenter to cut the sugar in half. I’m not a frosting fan usually because it’s too sweet, but cutting the sugar made it perfect for me. I added it to your chocolate cake recipe for my daughters unicorn birthday cake. First time ever making and decorating a cake like that and I pulled it off by watching your videos. Thank you!!!
Yay, Jennifer! I’m glad it worked to cut the sugar and this recipe was a hit! Thanks so much for letting me know 🙂
Can this recipe be doubled?
Absolutely!
I made this recipe with about half the sugar (it was a gamble..). It came out perfect, was easy to work with, everyone loved it and now I am a cake star. Thank you!
That’s amazing to know it worked with half the sugar! I’m so happy you’re a cake star now 🙂
Hi, I just started experimenting with smooth cake frosting and found your tutorials. They are very helpful! I have made a construction cake and a monster truck cake which are very easy but now I am going to be making a Spider-Man cake for my grandson‘s birthday and it needs to be smooth. My question is will this Cream cheese butter cream frosting smooth out as well as regular buttercream frosting? I love cream cheese frosting! Thank you.
Yay, Jenny! I’m so happy you’ve been finding my tutorials helpful! This cream cheese buttercream smooths out as well as regular buttercream, so you can use the same smooth buttercream tutorial to help you frost the cake. Hope that helps!
Much love from Kenya
Hey Whitney i have across your website n i love everything am learning,thanks for the insight on cream cheese frosting.definetly going to try n make my cakes more colourful.thanks alot
Yay, Mercy! I hope you love this buttercream recipe and thanks for the love 🙂
Hi Whitney – I have just come across your website and tutorials and I love the simplicity of them! I have already learnt so much to try to improve decorating my next cake. I noticed in this recipe you said the quantity was enough to fill and crumb coat a triple layer 20cm cake (also never heard of crumb coating before and I get so frustrated with the crumbs in my frosting so this is an awesome tip!) What quantity of the recipe would you need to fill, crumb coat and also put a final layer of frosting over entire cake – would you need to double it? Can you also please answer this question for the Basic Vanilla buttercream recipe as well – thank you so much.
Hi Karen! I’m so happy to hear you’ve been enjoying my tutorials! If you want to fill, crumb coat, and frost the cake, you’ll need to double this buttercream recipe. Same goes for the Basic Vanilla Buttercream recipe. Hope that helps and I’m cheering you on in your cake decorating!
Hi Whitney. I made my first beautiful looking cake with your tools list and cake basics. I’m now making a banana cake by request, and was wondering what your thoughts are on using browned butter with this recipe? I’ve read elsewhere the flavor is great, but I’d prefer to use your recipe for the frosting. Thanks for your awesome website.
Will this frosting take on food coloring as well as regular buttercream frosting?
Hi Lucy! It absolutely will!
Can my cake with this frosting to stand outside?
Hi Vera! It depends on how hot/humid the environment is, but as long as you store your cake in the refrigerator, it should last 1-2 hours outside of the refrigerator without melting. It starts to soften once it reaches 75ºF, then melt if it reaches above that temp.
Hi there – Would I be able to make this ahead and freeze it? Sounds yummy!!!
Hi Tracy! You can make it ahead and freeze it. I would wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in a ziploc bag in the freezer, then the day before you’re ready to use it, transfer the buttercream to the refrigerator to thaw. A few hours before you’re ready to decorate, take the buttercream out of the refrigerator and let it thaw at room temp before re-mixing it on low speed in your stand mixer. Hope that helps!
Hello,
Thank you for the recipe, will this cream cheese frosting be bright white? I would like to use for a wedding.
Thanks
Hi Tiffany! It’s not super bright white but you can add a little AmeriColor Bright White (or your favorite icing whitener) to brighten it up.
Could you add strawberry preserves to make a strawberry frosting? How much would I need? I’m also wondering about peanut butter, if that could be used and how much.
I’m looking forward to trying this recipe!
Hi Christina! I’ve never tried adding strawberry preserves or peanut butter to cream cheese frosting, so it would definitely be an experiment. If you’re wanting a strawberry buttercream I would try adding 17g of freeze dried strawberries per batch (ground into powder) instead of preserves. That will give the frosting powerful flavor without adding any liquid. And if you want to try peanut butter, I’d add 1/4 Cup in with the butter and cream cheese at the beginning. Hope that helps!
Hi Whitney, thank you for this recipe, looks great. Quick question about the cheese. Cannot get brick style, only the spreadable type. Will it retain its structure?
Hi Sharon! You can certainly try it with the spreadable kind, but from what I’ve read it will be a lot softer.
Did it work with the spreadable kind?
Best cream cheese buttercream I’ve ever worked with! Pipes beautifully and tastes amazing!
Yay, Alyssa!! That makes me so happy!
Whitney, the recipe is good for 2 tiered cake? I’m planning 8 inch 3 layer at bottom and 6 inch 3 layer top, it will hold?
Hi Star! Yes, this recipe will work for a 2 tiered cake so long as you support the upper tier with dowels properly. I’d make about 4x this recipe to have enough for filling and frosting the cakes (more if you’re doing elaborate buttercream details).
I am excited to try this recipe. Could I make this into a chocolate cream cheese frosting using cocoa? If so, would I use Dutch processed or regular cocoa?
Hi Rachel! I’m so excited for you to try this recipe and you can absolutely make it into chocolate cream cheese buttercream. It won’t matter if you use Dutch processed or regular for the frosting since it doesn’t require baking. I would add up to 1/2 Cup of cocoa to make it chocolate flavored. Let me know how it goes!