How to Make Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting

Cream cheese frosting is any type of frosting made with cream cheese. The simplest way to make cream cheese frosting is to combine cream cheese with butter and powdered sugar. You can also make cream cheese frosting using a base of buttercream frosting or even whipped cream.

Cream cheese adds a subtle tang that cuts through the rich, sweet flavor of cake. Add cream cheese frosting to desserts like:

1. 1. Carrot cake: Carrot cake and cream cheese frosting are a classic combination.
   
2. 2. Red velvet cake: Red velvet cupcakes and cakes are chocolate cake with red food coloring. They pair well with cream cheese frosting.
3. 3. Banana cake: Cream cheese frosting pairs especially well with the sweet flavor of banana.
4. 4. Pumpkin cake: Cream cheese frosting is a great flavor combination with pumpkin spice and cinnamon.
5. 5. Chocolate cake: For a double chocolate experience, you can frost a chocolate cake with chocolate cream cheese frosting.

Remember these tips when making cream cheese frosting:

1. 1. Bring the ingredients to room temperature. For frosting that's spreadable and not clumpy, bring the butter and cream cheese to room temperature before making the frosting.
2. 2. Remove any air bubbles. Stir the frosting with a wooden spoon just before frosting a cake to remove any air bubbles.
3. 3. Flavor the cream cheese frosting. To make chocolate cream cheese frosting, add unsweetened cocoa powder to the powdered sugar and whisk to combine. To make a lemon cream cheese frosting that tastes like cheesecake, swap the vanilla for lemon juice and add some lemon zest.