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+ servings
Cream cheese frosting in a bowl next to unfrosted cupcakes on a pink tiled surface.
4.99 stars (76 ratings)

3 Ingredient Cream Cheese Frosting Without Butter

This Cream Cheese Frosting without butter makes the perfect frosting for an endless list of sweet treats, including cookies, cakes, and cinnamon rolls. This easy recipe takes only 5 minutes to make and is made with just three ingredients! It has a delightfully sweet and tangy flavor and a rich, creamy consistency.

Ingredients

  • 8 oz cream cheese, full fat at room temperature
  • 2 ½ cups powdered sugar, 325 g
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

Instructions
 

  • Cream cheese and powdered sugar in a mixing bowl.
    Combine the cream cheese and 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar in the bowl of a hand or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
  • Mix on low speed until the sugar is incorporated into the cream cheese.
  • Scrape down the bottom of the bowl to make sure sugar hasnt gotten caught. Add the tsp of vanilla and mix again for 1 minute on low.
  • Cream cheese frosting in a bowl next to unfrosted cupcakes on a pink tiled surface.
    Speed up the mixer to med-high and mix for 1 more minute.
  • This frosting is best for smoothing over cinnamon buns and cakes and for using as a filling. If you want to make it more stable, pop it into the fridge for 20 minutes before using. Because it doesnt have butter, it wont harden as much for piping.

Notes

This frosting is perfect to fill and frost cakes, top cinnamon buns or slather on muffins. It does not hold it shape for piping though.
If you want the icing to firm up a bit, put it in the fridge for 20 minutes before using. 
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 164kcal, Carbohydrates: 26g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 19mg, Sodium: 60mg, Potassium: 26mg, Sugar: 25g, Vitamin A: 254IU, Calcium: 19mg, Iron: 0.04mg
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