This Pipeable Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is perfect for piping beautiful swirls onto cakes and cupcakes…
How much frosting does this recipe make?
If you’d like to pipe frosting onto your cupcakes just like the photo shows above, you’ll have enough frosting for about 18 cupcakes. If you just want to spread frosting onto cupcakes without piping it on in a decorative way, you’ll have enough for 24 cupcakes.
If making a cake, you may wish to make a recipe and a half. You should have enough to frost the cake. But then you’ll also have some extra to pipe frosting in a decorative way on top.
Tips for making the best frosting for piping:
Don’t over-mix the ingredients. You’ll beat the butter with an electric mixer. Then you’ll add slightly chilled cream cheese and combine those until they are evenly combined. Then STOP MIXING them together. Add in some vanilla, and then you’ll mix in powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time just until it’s mixed in. Some people have commented that they like to refrigerate the frosting for a while before piping it onto their cakes and cupcakes.
Keep cupcakes and cakes that are frosted in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
If you’re looking for more frosting recipes, you might like to try some of these:
- Coconut Buttercream Frosting
- Classic White Frosting Recipe
- Chocolate Frosting Recipe
- Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting
- Cookies and Cream Frosting
- Orange Buttercream Frosting
- Sweetened Condensed Milk Buttercream
- Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Pipeable Cream Cheese Frosting
Recipe Details
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
- Two 8-ounce packages cream cheese, at room temperature for 10 minutes
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter; beat just until creamy. Then add the cream cheese and beat until combined. IF YOU BEAT THE CREAM CHEESE TOO LONG, THE MIXTURE WILL BE TOO SOFT FOR PIPING.
- Mix in the vanilla, then gradually add the powdered sugar- 1/2 cup at a time. Mix until the frosting ingredients are completely combined- do not over-mix. Check the consistency at this point. If it seems too soft, go ahead and add a little more sifted powdered sugar. If it seems too thick, mix in a teaspoon or so of milk. Use the frosting to frost your cake or cupcakes immediately- either by spreading or filling a piping bag, or store in a covered container in the refrigerator until ready to use (should be used to frost the same day).
- I can't stress enough... if you over-mix, the frosting will be too soft for piping. Adding more powdered sugar will just make it softer.
Notes
- Nutritional information is for the frosting only-- not the entire cupcake.
- If you spread the frosting on the cupcakes instead of piping it on tall like the pictures show, you'll be able to frost 24 cupcakes.
Nutrition
I’ve made this frosting and it’s always come out great. Have you ever used food coloring with it and how true does the color come out?
Instead of using food coloring (liquid), I would use color paste instead so it does not affect the texture and you can control the hue of the color. You can find it at a craft store like Michaels.
Thank you for your helpful tips of NOT overmixing. I’ve been wondering why my cream cheese frosting keeps getting too soft even with more powder sugar….now I know. Thanks again!!
Do you know how many batches of this icing I would need to make 3 layer 8 inch cake and 24 cupcakes? I have a picture of the design I’m doing as well because it takes a lot of piping.
Maybe three times the recipe to be safe?
Even with twice the powdered sugar this was a goopy mess even after chilling.
If you overmix the frosting, it will be soft. Adding more powdered sugar at that point will make it even softer.
I am piping this recipe in roses. Is that still okay?( I assume it is)
Should be!
This recipe works great…Is it possible to freeze or keep in refrigerator for a week and a half. I need half the frosting recipe today and half in 1.5 weeks. Should I just make a whole new batch? Thanks!
I think I’d probably make a new batch. I’ve never tried freezing it!
I use this recipe for my carrot cake because it holds up better than regular cream cheese frosting. Due to pandemic and postponing Christmas I have frozen the entire frosted cake and it thawed beautifully. Never just froze the frosting but on the cake it was fine.
I got so many compliments for this frosting recipe, thank you!!
I’m hoping this works! I have my own yummy cream cheese frosting that I usually use, but yes, it’s too soft to pipe and I need it for a pumpkin wedding cake, so piping is essential. LOVE your site and go there often!
Delicious recipe..
Hi! I am planning on making this recipe today. I am reading through the comments and I read one where the baker used Philadelphia cream cheese and it didn’t work. I was planning on using that cream cheese today. Could this recipe still work for me?
I’m not sure why the brand would matter. That’s what I always use!
Is this firm??
I wouldn’t say it’s super firm, but it pipeable.
Should I be using salted or unsalted butter for this?
I use regular salted butter for frostings.
can i also use this for the sides of the cake?
Yes!
Im a little confused with the addition of powdered sugar. You mentioned if it seems too soft, go ahead and add a little more sifted powdered sugar. .. Yet later you said Adding more powdered sugar will just make it softer.
So what are the steps if the icing seems to soft for piping? More sugar or less? Thank You!
If you overmix– the frosting will be soft, and trying to add more powdered sugar to it at that point will make it softer. In the process of making it, if it’s not overmixed, adding more powdered sugar can help with a thicker consistency.
Would I be able to use this under fondant? So I wouldn’t want to have to keep it refrigerated?
I have no idea!
I do not think so. Better to use Ganache
Also found it piped perfectly! Made a large rosette on each carrot cupcake – beautiful! Thank you 🙂
Wow! This is the best cream cheese frosting. It’s good enough to eat with a spoon (yes, I did), and it piped perfectly!
It’s been a while since I made cream cheese frosting and I was so happy to see this recipe for pipeable cream cheese frosting. I followed all the directions, including not over mixing, and it turned out so runny and soft it is the exact opposite of what I needed. So frustrating! Wish I had read all of the comments and seen how many others had the same disappointing outcome. Now that I’m looking into it, all other cream cheese frosting recipes have 8oz of cream cheese instead of 16 oz. I would not recommend this recipe.
I’m so sorry you had trouble with the recipe. As you can see, some people had the same problem as you and some people had success. I don’t have trouble with this one, so I’m not sure what to recommend!
I was really nervous about trying this recipe after reading some of the comments. But it came out BEAUTIFULLY!! I made sure to 1) beat the butter first before adding the cream cheese 2)keep the cream cheese cold (I used it at colder than room temp) 3)not overbeat the frosting 3)added the icing sugar in 2 batches so that I didn’t end up overbeating(also decreased the amount because we don’t like it too sweet). I adapted it a little by substituting the vanilla with lemon juice. Depending on how long it takes to pipe all the cream, you might find that you’ll need to re-refridgerate the frosting to keep it from getting too melty before piping.
So excited that we were able to pipe beautiful flowers for our cupcake pull-apart cake! Here’s a picture of some of our cupcakes. https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/133208101462243679/
Thanks for the recipe! I’m so excited to have found pipeable cream cheese frosting. It’s great to see folks not scrape the blob of regular frosting off their cupcakes. 😀
Happy to hear- they look great!
I agree with Kelley; I’ve made this recipe several times and it’s been perfect. My only suggestion would be to soften the butter and use the cream cheese from the refrigerator in order to not over beat. I do re-refrigerate for about 30 minutes before piping. I’ve had many compliments on this recipe.
I wish I would’ve read the comments before going at this recipe. Came out a little runny, but not ebough to trash it for what I was going for. Maybe beat the butter first, add the sugar, then fold in the creamcheese? I’ll try this next time…
You should whisk butter first till light and fluffy. Butter should be 21C and afterwards add cream cheese slowly
I’ve used this recipe several times, and it comes out perfect every time. For those having problems…you need to understand that cream cheese buttercream is NOT like any other buttercream. It takes lots of patience. I only let the buttercream and cream cheese sit out for an hour or two, not completely room temp. You should blend the butter and cheese on STIR setting just until incorporated. I stopped the stir every 5-10 seconds and would scrape down the paddle and sides. Do the same when adding sugar, scrape the sides and paddle often. This allows better blending without overbeating. Once well blended, I turned the mixer to setting 2, one level faster than stir, and allowed it to blend for 30 seconds…DON’T go longer. This got rid of any remaining cheese lumps. It tastes super yummy and is super sturdy for piping. I don’t even need to keep refrigerating it. It’s even sturdy enough to hold decorations!
Thank you for your tips!
Hi Guys, I read a lot of these comments & thought I would tell you what I did with great results! Butter needs to be soft, I whipped this up first & then added the cream cheese only out of the fridge for 10mins so still cold, I also upped to 500gms (2pkts Philly/Coles block) & whipped only for maybe 30secs at most then added the sifted icing sugar (powdered sugar) in 3 parts only & whipped only long enough for the sugar to incorporate (may 15-20secs) I feel adding the sugar in more parts runs the risk of over whipping, then added the vanilla & 3tbsp thickened cream to lighten a little again only mixing 20-30secs & the result was thick and pipable. Remember pipable cream cheese frosting will always be softer than a buttercream. Hope this helps!
Thank you for your tips!
Can you freeze this frosting? I use this all the time. Sometimes I make a dbl batch to ensure I have enough for layer cake but have left overs. Thanks
I don’t think I’ve ever tried to freeze frosting, so I’m not sure!
I would love your red velvet cupcake recipe. I have tried numerous ones and they just won’t dome like my other cupcakes
Here you go! > https://www.recipegirl.com/2007/05/11/red-velvet-birthday-cupcakes/
SUCCESS!!!
I was worried this might not pipe due to some comments. I pulled cream cheese and butter straight from fridge and slowly beat until mixed together. I then added 1/2 tsp of each vanilla extract and almond extract because I love that flavoring in frosting. I also added
2 1/2 tsp beet juice to give it a light blush color, then added powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time. It worked very well piping on my cupcakes. Thanks for the recipe!
Terrific!
I just made this. Mine turned out perfect! Not runny what so ever.
Not overly sweet, and a nice cream cheese tangy flavor.
New pipper here. My pipping skills may not be great, but the frosting held together very well on my cupcakes.
Thank you!
I’m so glad you had success!
Terrible! I added 2 extra boxes of pc and still just pourable, no where near pipeable. Very disappointed! A huge waste of time and ingredients.
It sounds like you over-beat the cream cheese (which softens it to the point of not being pipeable). Adding extra powdered sugar just makes it softer.
Would not use again or recommend. I have made cream cheese frosting with great success. This was runny and I could not pipe it because it would not hold it’s shape. There are better recipes out there.
I’m not sure how the frosting can turn out runny unless you overbeat the cream cheese. There is nothing in the recipe to make it runny!
I didn’t have success with this recipe. I would not consider it pipeable at all. I had to add more powered sugar and put in fridge because it was too runny. Late tried piping it but it began to melt as soon as it became room temperature.
I’ve used this recipe before and it was amazing…and perfectly pipeable. I came back to get the recipe again and was shocked to see all the fails! With cream cheese, you CANNOT over beat it. Blend the cheese and butter with a paddle on a low stir just until blended, then add sugar a small amount at a time, again on your lowest setting, just until all is incorporated. Once you’ve beaten or whipped it to where it’s soft…you will NOT get it back unless you add pounds more of sugar, then you’ve essentially ruined it! Hope that helps!
great advice- thank you so much for sharing your tips!
Thanks for the recipe! Ive used it twice. In both ocassions, i left the cream cheese in the fridge. I also added 3/4 cup or so of icing sugar. I would have added a bit more but was afraid of going too far. Tadte is excellent and i was able to pipe with it but refridgeration is a must until the last minute. 🙂
It didn’t work for me: I got a runny icing. I tried to avoid over-beating, I even re-tried without a whisk (just blending in butter and cream cheese with a spatula). Even with an increased amount of icing suger, its keeps being liquid (and then it turns over-sweet). Actually it looks like the more I add sugar, the more runny it gets! Impossible to pipe it! I used philadelphia cheese (regular one, no low-fat). i wonder if the cream cheese available in Europe is the same as in the US?
I don’t think cream cheese in Europe is the same as US.
This frosting was awesome. I piped it on and it was perfect!
I was curious, I made this recipe about a week ago and I had done exactly what the directions called for. i was not thrilled when the cream cheese and butter kept clotting up in my mixer attachment. It was the right consistency because both the cream cheese and the butter were soft enough it was like a mushy texture. After mixing everything together i realized the mixture was bumpy. i had a crazy idea that once i applied it to my cake that it would somehow disappear. i was wrong. it looked completely silly. i chalked it up to that im covering it with frosting so no one will see the bumpy texture.
So i remade the mixture, word by word of the directions. it was now time to pipe. Once again my mixture was bumpy! So frustrated at this point that i didnt have time to look for another recipe, so i then proceeded to fill the piping bag. As I’m trying to pipe my flowers on my cake, the cream cheese kept getting clotted in the tip. Can you please explain what i should do if i decide to give this another try?
i mixed it for 20-30 mins.
It sounds like if you did not have success with it, perhaps you should try another recipe. I’m not really sure what to suggest as it’s hard to troubleshoot when you’re not seeing it yourself. Sorry you had trouble!
The more you whip cream cheese the softer it gets,so make your buttercream frosting adding a little bit ofpowdered buttermilk to regular ingredients. At the last minute add cream cheese just to mix and eliminate lumps. Refrigerate then test mixture for piping.
I want to make a pipeable Raspberry Cream cheese frosting.. can you tell me how much to put in using Jam?
no idea!
I creamed the butter and cream cheese for longer and added a tiny bit less sugar. I also creamed the ingredients together for a while after they were all combined, and it came out softer but super fluffy, kind of like a meringue frosting! great recipe! Unfortunately, my entire cake was a sticky crumbling fail, so i just ate the frosting with a store bought pie! Hahaha.
What I learned about the fickle powdered sugar is this. Adding more is wrong. Follow the recipe above and SLOWLY add in your sugar 1/2 cup at a time. The more sugar you add the runnier it will be. Don’t over mix and don’t turn your mixer on super speed. Sometimes slow is good. And as others stated if your cheese and butter are still a little cold that’s also helpful. I made 4 practice batches to get one right batch. I don’t measure anymore, I go by feel and taste.
Thanks for your tips- very helpful!
I keep reading about runny frosting. It’s because the cream cheese has been overbeaten and the solution isn’t more sugar. If you reach that doomed stage, just start over.
i need to use 450 grams cream cheese?
If that equates to 16-ounces, then yes!
This frosting was honestly so bad… in order to thicken this frosting even remotely to pipe it would have to use a ridiculous amount of sugar, which would have made it so sweet. If you use the ingredients listed above, the favour is perfect just so runny.
Worked for me! I did need to put the icing in the fridge before icing and also again about half way through to keep it cold. I added an extra half cup of sugar. Maybe the trick is keeping the icing cold until you are ready to serve the cupcakes? Thanks for posting this yummy recipie! I also used some of the icing to fill the inside of the cupcakes.
I’m not quite sure as to why everyone is saying it was too soft. I just blended my butter and cream cheese straight out of the fridge and even now its still perfect. Maybe they microwaved it?
I’m not sure why either!
This is perfect! I just used it for 4 dozen cupcakes for thanks giving.
Could I substitute the powdered sugar for brown sugar?
Definitely not!
Very delicious recipe…but a runny, sloppy mess that I would have to be poured over my cake. I can’t believe this recipe could be piped.
It’s tastey, but certainly no where near thick enough to pipe…and I followed the directions.
Yikes- real butter at room temp? Full fat cream cheese? How would it turn out runny?
Is 8 ounce 1 cup? I love your recipes but im from holland and struggeling with the messuring
yes! Look for conversions on the internet. Just google what you need – “metric conversions” will usually give you what you need.
This frosting was yummy, but lost its shape pretty quickly when piping. The good news is that it isn’t very sweet to begin with, so adding additional powdered sugar didn’t overwhelm it! Still, I added an additional cup to the recipe, and it is still too soft for piping onto cupcakes. I’ll be keeping this in my book for spreading onto cakes, but not for piping!
I like that this recipe has a higher ratio of cream cheese than others I’ve seen that use more butter, as I want that flavor. I’m going to try it today even though it’s super hot here. I have faith it will work out! I would never use low fat cream cheese. I can’t help but address previous comments–full-fat content dairy products are actually healthier/more nutrient dense. Fat is not really the problem in diets that we once thought it was. Full fat butter is far healthier than canola oil.
Rose and Lindsay,
Don’t give up on Cream Cheese Frostings! Do use the full fat cream cheese. As Lori pointed out, the lower fat content cheeses do tend to be softer. I have made cream cheese frostings for years as did my mother and grandmother. It has been my experience that the measurement for the powdered sugar is usually a reference point. I start with the 21/2 cups but usually it takes more to bring the frosting to the consistency I desire for my personal taste. My grandmother said that every batch of cream cheese frosting was different because “no two cows give exactly the same milk.” She would be 94 if she was still living. Let me encourage you to experiment until you achieve the results you desire. Every cook is different and we all have our little specialties. Hang in there. It will be worth it!
Omg to the G! These are great! I love the consistency and the taste is just right! I love the frosting too.
Was really disappointed, its really runny, I’ve added another whole cup of icing sugar and had it in the fridge for a few hours. im wondering if American cream cheese is different to British? i think im just going to have to start again as a cant see how its ever going to be pip able. a real waste of ingredients sorry!
I’m not familiar with British cream cheese, so I’m afraid I can’t be of any help there. Sorry it didn’t work out for you!
Hi
I have tried countless cream cheese recipes but it turned out to be too soft and runny and i had to throw them away. I just don’t get how you can achieve success with this cream cheese and i can’t because i tried this method before, and the one with whipped cream in it too. I use cold cream cheese but sometimes i left it out on the counter for like 5 minutes, i use the 60% or 80% less fat as it would be really fattening if not for that. Does that make a difference? I really really want to get a pipeable cream cheese and im almost giving up. When I beat the butter and cream cheese together, it always get runny almost immediately especially when i have added the icing sugar, it doesn’t thicken up. please help. thank you
I definitely wouldn’t use a lower fat cream cheese as that is always softer than regular cream cheese (not for a pipeable frosting). Have you tried refrigerating the bag of frosting for a bit before piping?
My experience with this recipe is that it has absolutely no hold whatsoever. This is not a thick recipe and adding more sugar will make it more runny.
I had success with it- on my cupcakes shown above!
Im wanting to make this tonight, and pipe my cupcakes tonight, but they won’t be served until tomorrow afternoon, will they still taste good if I serve them at room temp? and should the piping still look the same?
Sorry- I am on vacation and did not see this message until now. Let me know how they turned out!
Hi! Have not tried this recipe yet but will this be able to pipe roses? 🙂
I’ve never piped roses- not terribly experienced at cake decorating- so I’m not sure.
Can you use spreadable cream cheese or does it have to be the block kind?
Definitely block cream cheese.
thank you for this. It turn out pretty good for cup cakes.
Notes:
We needed to add food colouring, (used gel type). This didn’t water it down, but blending it in over and over till we got the colour bright enough, I think brought it to room temp or more (23ºC?) which didn’t help.
Had to put in fridge for a bit. found that as I piped it warmed. so i put that in the fridge a couple times too.
We have 36 cupcakes and this managed to cover every one of them with very little left over. I would suggest a Yield of 36. with cupcakes that are Just to the rim of the paper cup. if your over the edge, like the photo here, or more, 24 would be more likely it seems.
Used a cheap nozzle for piping. would recommend a real one rather than plastic for sharper edges.
I added perhaps an extra 1/4 cup icing sugar. in hopes to thicken it.
I haven’t tried it but i am thinking if i do again, i would use 1/2 cup white sugar first into the butter and cream cheese. (maybe blend it a little to make it smaller grains) Than add in icing sugar and 2 cups (+1/4 cup?) icing sugar.
I’m thinking that might make a stiffer icing? could be wrong. this is all new to me. 😛
Cheers.
hi, wow! your Red velvet cupcakes especially the swirls look very beautiful,definitely taste very very yummy. May i know which decorating tip did u use? thanks.
I’m afraid I don’t remember- it was a very basic swirl though.
Hey I just thought I’d let you know that I just made this frosting to use on brownies. It’s the first time I’ve ever made cream cheese frosting and I’d say it tasted pretty good! :]
I agree about the butter and cream cheese being softened but not being quite room temp. I was just being impatient, but it seemed to turn out for the better.
Lori, this frosting was FANTASTIC! I’ve been cupcaking (and learning!) for a while now and haven’t found the perfectly balanced and pipeable cream cheese frosting until now. After reading the other comment, I made sure my cream cheese and butter were slightly soft but still cold. I think that made a significant difference in its ability to pipe up. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Hi there…
This frosting is very tasty! I love how the cream cheese flavor comes through. But, it did not work too well for me in terms of piping. I wound up doubling the amount of 10x sugar, and refrigerating it. But it was still too soft. For piping, I’m sticking with your wonderful buttercream!
Hi Shannon, oh bummer. I’ve been using this recipe lately for all of my cupcakes, and have been piping away! If the cream cheese is too soft, I add another 1/2 cup of powdered sugar or so until the consistency is just right for piping. You’re right though, I love to use the buttercream for piping too!