This honey cream cheese frosting is rich, creamy, and a perfect match with flavors like carrot cake and gingerbread. Butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and a touch of vanilla make up the base. Honey adds floral notes and natural sweetness. It's the perfect topping for cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and more!
Cream cheese frosting is one of my favorite things. If any dessert has it, I'll eat it (especially red velvet cake)! This honey cream cheese frosting is a variation on the classic cream cheese frosting we all known and love. It has a bright, floral flavor from the honey that's perfect for Spring, just like this honey buttercream.
It's a creamy frosting with a fluffy texture that goes perfectly with lots of cake and cupcake recipes! The best part is that it comes together in less than 10 minutes with simple ingredients.
For more frosting recipes, try cinnamon cream cheese frosting, chocolate cream cheese frosting, coffee cream cheese frosting, or strawberry cream cheese frosting.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Thick cream cheese frosting-ย Like my peanut butter cream cheese frosting, brick of cream cheese and butter make up the base to give it a creamy mouthfeel. The powdered sugar makes it thick and fluffy.
- Pairs well with so many desserts- I personally love this frosting on my apple carrot cake, but it also goes well with honey cupcakes and any kind of spice cake. It's also delicious paired with pistachio, lavender, and other floral flavors.
- Quick and easy- Letting the ingredients reach room temperature is the hardest part! Everything blends together under 10 minutes. You can prep it ahead of time and freeze it to use in the future!
Key Ingredients
- Cream cheese- Use a full-fat block of cream cheese for the thickest, most creamy consistency. Low-fat cream cheese and cream cheese spread will make the frosting too runny.
- Unsalted butter- Make sure to use softened butter and cream cheese so they mix together smoothly. Set them both on the counter 1-2 hours before you whip up the frosting to come to room temperature. You can use salted butter if needed, just leave out the extra salt the recipe calls for.
- Honey- Any kind works! Choose what you think tastes the best since the flavor of the honey really shines through. I used clover honey.
- Vanilla extract- Pure vanilla extract has the best flavor, but you can use an equal amount of vanilla bean paste!
- Salt- A pinch offsets the sweetness of the honey and powdered sugar for the perfect balance. Use finely ground salt so the texture isn't gritty.
- Powdered sugar- Sweetens the frosting and thickens it by soaking up the cream cheese's moisture. You can sift it for a super smooth frosting, but it isn't required!
Honey Substitution and Ingredient Variations
- Honey substitute- If you want to make a sweet cream cheese frosting but don't have honey, the best substitute is maple syrup. Use the same amount (ยผ cup). Maple syrup is thinner than honey, so you may need more powdered sugar to bulk it up.
- Add spices- I love this frosting with ยฝ-1 teaspoon of cinnamon, cardamom, or ginger for warmth.
- Add lemon- About a teaspoon of lemon juice or lemon zest adds a bright flavor that goes so well with honey. You can also use orange zest!
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: In the bowl of an electric mixer or stand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together on medium-high speed until the mixture is completely smooth.
Step 2: Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then mix in the vanilla, salt, and honey on low speed until well blended.
Step 3: Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time on low speed, mixing until fully incorporated. Then beat on medium speed until the frosting is light and fluffy.
Expert Tips
- Use the paddle attachment. The paddle attachment creates a smooth, creamy consistency without air bubbles. This is ideal for spreading over cakes, giving you clean, professional look. For a lighter, whipped texture for piping cupcakes, switch to the whisk attachment at the end.
- Slowly mix in the sugar. When adding powdered sugar to your frosting, it's best to mix it in one cup at a time on low speed. This prevents the sugar from flying out and making a mess. You can cover the mixer with a kitchen towel to catch any stray sugar too.
- Mix on low speed. If the frosting has too many air pockets at the end, turn the speed down to low to pop them.
How to Serve Honey Cream Cheese Frosting
- Cupcakes- Pipe or spread on lemon lavender cupcakes or chocolate fudge cupcakes for a sweet, tangy finish.
- Cakes- Frost single or layer cakes, especially carrot, apple, or spice cakes. Try it on your favorite marble cake or vanilla layer cake.
- Cookies- Use as a filling for cookie sandwiches. I highly recommend it with these lavender sugar cookies!
- Other baked goods- Spread on honey banana bread, buttermilk muffins, or other quick breads. Fudgy brownies with cream cheese frosting are delicious too.
- Fruit dip- Serve as a dip with fresh fruit for a simple dessert!
Storage Instructions and Tips
Because of the dairy, you need to refrigerate cream cheese frosting. Store it in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature and re-mix with the paddle attachment or an electric hand mixer before using.
Desserts decorated with cream cheese frosting can be left out at room temperature for up to 2 hours before you need to refrigerate them again.
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe makes about 2ยฝ to 3 cups of frosting. It's enough to frost 18-24 cupcakes, a 9x13-inch sheet cake, or a two-layer 6-inch or 8-inch round cake.
Definitely! Spread the frosting in the middle of a sheet of plastic wrap and roll it up tightly. Freeze as is or in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours before using. You might need to let it warm to room temperature and give it a good whisk to restore its creamy texture. This is a great way to prep frosting ahead of time!
If theย frosting is too thick, try adding heavy cream or whole milk 1 teaspoon at a time while mixing on low speed until you have your desired consistency.
If your frosting is too thin, slowly add more powdered sugar until it thickens up. Note that the more sugar you add, the sweeter the frosting will be. You can also chill the bowl in the refrigerator for a bit and it will naturally stiffen up.
More Frosting Recipes to Try
๐ Recipe
Easy Honey Cream Cheese Frosting
Equipment
- 1 5-quart stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or an electric hand mixer with large bowl)
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Ingredients
- 226 grams full-fat cream cheese room temperature
- 113 grams unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ยผ teaspoon salt
- 85 grams honey
- 360 grams powdered sugar
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), beat the cream cheese and butter together on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes. Mix until the mixture looks smooth and creamy with no lumps. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is evenly mixed.226 grams full-fat cream cheese, 113 grams unsalted butter
- Add the vanilla extract, salt, and honey, then mix on low speed until the ingredients are fully combined and the mixture is smooth.1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ยผ teaspoon salt, 85 grams honey
- With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing just until incorporated.360 grams powdered sugar
- Once all the sugar is added, turn the speed up to medium and beat until the frosting is light and smooth.
- Immediately the frosting to a piping bag to frost cupcakes or simply spread over cakes and other desserts. Enjoy!
Megan Weimer
I love how the honey flavor shines through in this frosting. It's creamy and so delicious!