Why did my frosting turn out runny?

Your heavy cream might not have been cold enough, or your cream cheese could have been too soft. Make sure to use cold cream and only let your cream cheese soften enough to be smooth but not warm. Also, check that you're using full-fat cream cheese and heavy whipping cream (at least 36% fat) for the proper structure.

Can I use this frosting under fondant or for a wedding cake?

This frosting is a bit too soft for under fondant or for wedding cakes that might sit out for hours. It's best used for desserts that will be refrigerated until shortly before serving. For wedding cakes, consider using a more stable buttercream under fondant.

My frosting has tiny lumps – what happened?

Those lumps are likely pieces of cream cheese that weren't fully softened before mixing. To fix this, let the frosting sit at room temperature for 10 minutes, then beat again until smooth. Next time, make sure your cream cheese is truly at room temperature before starting.

How do I make this frosting less sweet?

Simply reduce the amount of sugar to suit your taste preferences. You can start with just 1/2 cup and add more if needed. The cream cheese provides enough structure that reducing the sugar won't significantly affect the texture.

Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Name: Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups cold heavy whipping cream; 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, room temperature; ¾ cup caster sugar, extra fine granulated sugar; 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste, or vanilla extract; Pinch of salt

This luxuriously smooth Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting strikes the perfect balance between light, fluffy whipped cream and rich, tangy cream cheese. It’s remarkably simple to prepare in just 15 minutes, making it an ideal topping for everything from cupcakes to layer cakes. The silky texture and not-too-sweet flavor profile will elevate any dessert to bakery-quality status!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Effortless: Whips up in just 15 minutes with minimal ingredients and equipment.
Perfectly Balanced: Offers the ideal combination of cream cheese tanginess and whipped cream lightness without being overwhelmingly sweet.
Versatile: Works beautifully on everything from carrot cake to red velvet cupcakes, fresh fruit, or as a filling between cake layers.
Stable Structure: Unlike plain whipped cream, this frosting holds its shape well, making it perfect for piping decorative swirls and borders.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Heavy Whipping Cream: The foundation that creates the light, airy texture. Make sure it’s COLD straight from the refrigerator for the best volume.
Cream Cheese: Provides that distinctive tangy flavor and creamy richness. Room temperature is crucial for preventing lumps in your frosting.
Caster Sugar: Dissolves easily into the mixture for a smooth texture without grittiness. Its fine texture prevents the frosting from becoming grainy.
Vanilla Bean Paste: Adds beautiful flavor depth and those lovely specks of real vanilla. The paste provides a more intense flavor than extract.
Salt: Just a pinch enhances all the other flavors and balances the sweetness perfectly.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Flavor Twists

Citrus Zing: Add lemon or orange zest for a refreshing twist perfect for summer desserts.
Coffee Infusion: Mix in 1-2 teaspoons of espresso powder for a sophisticated mocha frosting.
Berry Bliss: Fold in 2-3 tablespoons of strained berry puree for a fruity variation.
Chocolate Dream: Incorporate 2-3 tablespoons of cocoa powder when mixing the cream cheese and sugar.

Sweetness Adjustments

Prefer it sweeter or less sweet? Simply adjust the sugar amount to your taste preference. Start with less and add more gradually until it reaches your desired sweetness level.

How to Make Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting

Step 1: Prepare Your Equipment

Place your metal mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for at least 30 minutes before starting. This chilled equipment helps achieve maximum volume in your whipped cream.

Step 2: Combine Base Ingredients

Add room temperature cream cheese, caster sugar, vanilla bean paste, and salt to your chilled mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer, start at low speed and gradually increase to high, beating until completely smooth and no lumps remain.

Step 3: Incorporate the Cream

With the mixer running, slowly pour the cold heavy cream down the side of the bowl into the cream cheese mixture. This gradual addition helps everything incorporate smoothly.

Step 4: Whip to Perfection

Continue beating just until stiff peaks form – when you lift the beaters, the frosting should stand tall with tips that don’t flop over. Be vigilant here – over-whipping can turn your beautiful frosting into butter!

Step 5: Use Immediately

Apply your freshly made frosting to cooled cakes, cupcakes, or desserts right away for the best texture and piping results.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Temperature Matters: Keep everything cold except the cream cheese. The contrast helps create the perfect texture.
Scrape the Bowl: Frequently scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure everything incorporates evenly.
Watch Carefully When Whipping: The transition from perfectly whipped to over-whipped happens quickly. Stop when the frosting holds firm peaks.
Sift Your Sugar: For ultra-smooth frosting, sift the caster sugar before adding it to remove any tiny lumps.
No Caster Sugar? Make your own by pulsing regular granulated sugar in a food processor for about 30 seconds until fine.

How to Serve

This versatile frosting pairs beautifully with so many desserts:

Perfect Pairings

Spread generously on carrot cake or red velvet cake
Pipe onto chocolate cupcakes for an elegant contrast
Use as a topping for fresh berries or fruit tarts
Sandwich between cookies for homemade sandwich cookies
Layer between cake layers along with fresh fruit for an impressive dessert

Decorating Ideas

The stable texture makes this frosting ideal for piping designs. Fill a piping bag fitted with your favorite tip and create rosettes, borders, or other decorative elements on your desserts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any unused frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The texture may firm up slightly when chilled.

Make Ahead Tips

Prepare this frosting a day before using if needed. Store in the refrigerator, then let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before use. Give it a quick beat with your mixer to restore its fluffy texture.

Freezing

While best fresh, you can freeze this frosting in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then re-whip briefly before using.

FAQs

Why did my frosting turn out runny?

Your heavy cream might not have been cold enough, or your cream cheese could have been too soft. Make sure to use cold cream and only let your cream cheese soften enough to be smooth but not warm. Also, check that you’re using full-fat cream cheese and heavy whipping cream (at least 36% fat) for the proper structure.
Can I use this frosting under fondant or for a wedding cake?

This frosting is a bit too soft for under fondant or for wedding cakes that might sit out for hours. It’s best used for desserts that will be refrigerated until shortly before serving. For wedding cakes, consider using a more stable buttercream under fondant.
My frosting has tiny lumps – what happened?

Those lumps are likely pieces of cream cheese that weren’t fully softened before mixing. To fix this, let the frosting sit at room temperature for 10 minutes, then beat again until smooth. Next time, make sure your cream cheese is truly at room temperature before starting.
How do I make this frosting less sweet?

Simply reduce the amount of sugar to suit your taste preferences. You can start with just 1/2 cup and add more if needed. The cream cheese provides enough structure that reducing the sugar won’t significantly affect the texture.

Final Thoughts

This Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting truly delivers the best of both worlds – the lightness of whipped cream with the tangy richness of cream cheese frosting. I love how versatile it is, working just as beautifully on a sophisticated layer cake as it does on simple cupcakes. The next time you’re looking for a frosting that’s sure to impress without hours of work, give this recipe a try – I promise your desserts (and your guests) will thank you!