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    Home » Recipes » Frostings and Fillings

    Small Batch Cream Cheese Frosting

    Published: Mar 14, 2023 by Megan Weimer · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This silky smooth and creamy small batch cream cheese frosting is perfect to make for a mini cake or small batch of cupcakes! It's sweet, slightly tangy, and totally delicious.

    Cream cheese frosting in a bowl.

    If I'm at a bakery and see something with cream cheese frosting, I'm gonna get it. It's a the best classic topping for cakes, cupcakes, and other baked goods in my opinion. It's rich, creamy, tangy, and goes with tons of flavors, like red velvet, carrot cake, and lemon.

    However, making a large batch of frosting can lead to lots waste if you don't use it all. That's where small batch cream cheese frosting recipe comes in.

    A cupcake with a swirl of frosting on top.

    This small batch recipe is perfect for when you only need a small amount of frosting and to avoid waste! It's quick and easy to make, and you can customize the flavor and consistency. Make it into an icing to drizzle on cinnamon rolls or a thick frosting to frost a small vanilla cake or swirl on vanilla cupcakes.

    I'm drooling already, so let's get into the recipe. If you're looking for more frosting options, check out my lavender buttercream frosting and brown sugar buttercream frosting.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Substitutions
    • Helpful Equipment and Tools
    • How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting
    • Expert Baking Tips
    • Additions and Variations
    • Storage and Freezing
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • More Small Batch Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredient Notes

    Here are some notes about the ingredients used. For quantities and instructions, see the recipe card below.

    Ingredients to make a small batch of cream cheese frosting.
    • Unsalted butter- Make sure the butter is softened so it's easy to mix. Pull it and the cream cheese out of the refrigerator an hour before you start making the frosting. The butter should still be cool to the touch but easy to dent with your finger while applying gentle pressure. If the butter is too warm and melty, your frosting will be greasy.
    • Cream cheese- Use softened, full fat cream cheese to make the frosting extra creamy. Use cream cheese in block form, not from a tub. Cream cheese from a tub will be too runny.
    • Powdered sugar- Powdered sugar (also called icing sugar) adds structure and sweetness to the frosting. There's no need to sift it beforehand.
    • Vanilla bean paste- Vanilla bean paste adds the same rich flavor as vanilla extract with flecks of vanilla beans. If you don't have it, use the same amount of pure vanilla extract instead.
    • Sea salt- Salt rounds out the flavor profile and balances the sweetness.

    Substitutions

    • Unsalted butter: Salted butter can be used instead, just omit the additional salt in the recipe.
    • Sea salt: Fine Kosher or pink Himalayan salt are good substitutes.

    Helpful Equipment and Tools

    You'll need an electric hand mixer with a large bowl or a 5-quart stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. The instructions below are specifically for a hand mixer, but they work using a stand mixer too.

    How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting

    Here are the steps to make the frosting. Make sure your butter and cream cheese are at room temperature before you start.

    STEP 1: First, add the softened butter and cream cheese to a large bowl. With your mixer, beat them together on medium-high speed for 5-10 minutes until they are well combined, fluffy, and lump-free.

    Butter and cream cheese in a bowl.

    STEP 2: Gradually add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time. Beat it in with a mixer on low until smooth and well combined. I like to start my mixer on low and gradually increase the speed to medium to prevent powdered sugar from flying out of the bowl. Another thing you can do is cover the bowl with a kitchen towel to keep the powdered sugar in.

    Mixing cream cheese frosting in a bowl with a hand mixer.

    STEP 3: Mix in the vanilla bean paste and sea salt on medium speed until fully combined.

    STEP 4: Pipe or spread the frosting over a cake, a small batch of cupcakes, or cookies and enjoy!

    A plate of cupcakes.

    Expert Baking Tips

    • Use room temperature butter and cream cheese. This will insure that the frosting is smooth and creamy with no lumps.
    • Use a kitchen scale. If the frosting is too thick or sweet, you may have over-measured the powdered sugar. Use a food scale and measure the ingredients in grams to avoid this!
    • Sift the powdered sugar. You don't need to sift the powdered sugar before adding it to the butter and cream cheese unless you need the frosting to be ultra-smooth for decorating a cake.

    Additions and Variations

    You can swap out the vanilla bean paste for a variety of other flavorings. Here are some of my favorite flavors you should try!

    • Lemon: Substitute lemon extract for the vanilla.
    • Chocolate: Add 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to the recipe.
    • Maple: Substitute 2 tablespoons of maple syrup for the vanilla bean paste.
    • Cinnamon: Add ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the recipe.
    Cupcakes piped with frosting.

    Storage and Freezing

    Store leftover cream cheese frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. When you're ready to use it, give it a quick mix with your electric mixer to make it soft and smooth again.

    Freezing

    Scoop the frosting into an airtight, freezer-safe container to prevent freezer burn and odor absorption. Label the container with the date, and then freeze the frosting for up to 3 months.

    When you're ready to use it, thaw it overnight and then give it a whisk to make it smooth and creamy. Don't thaw at room temperature or in the microwave because it can cause the frosting to become watery or separate.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How much frosting does this recipe make?

    This recipe yields about 2 cups of frosting. This is enough to frost 6-8 cupcakes or cookies. It's also enough to frost 12 mini cupcakes, a single-layer 6 or 8 inch cake, or a 9x9" cake or pan of brownies. For larger batches, you can easily double or triple the recipe.

    Does cream cheese frosting need to be refrigerated?

    Yes, cream cheese frosting needs to be refrigerated since it's prone to spoiling at room temperature. You can leave it out at room temperature for a maximum of 2 hours according to the FDA.

    How do I make the frosting thicker?

    If you need the frosting to be thicker, add a tablespoon of cornstarch. Unlike buttercream, adding powdered sugar doesn't help make the frosting thicker; it'll just make it sweeter!

    How do I make the frosting thinner?

    To make the frosting thinner, whisk a tablespoon of milk or heavy cream into the frosting until the desired consistency is reached. If you're going for a glaze or icing, you'll need to add 4+ tablespoons.

    More Small Batch Recipes

    • Small Batch Banana Muffins
    • A vanilla cake with sprinkles on a wood board.
      Small Vanilla Cake
    • A brownie slice on parchment paper.
      Small Batch Brownies
    • A vanilla cupcake with a swirl of cream cheese frosting on top.
      Small Batch Vanilla Cupcakes

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    📖 Recipe

    Cream cheese frosting in a bowl.

    Small Batch Cream Cheese Frosting

    Megan Weimer
    This silky smooth and creamy small batch cream cheese frosting is perfect to make for a mini cake or small batch of cupcakes! It's sweet, slightly tangy, and totally delicious.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course Frosting
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2 cups
    Calories 291 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 electric mixer

    Ingredients
     
     

    • ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
    • 4 oz cream cheese softened
    • 2 cups powdered sugar
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste
    • ⅛ teaspoon sea salt

    Instructions
     

    • In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until smooth and fluffy.
    • Gradually add the powdered sugar to the mixture, one cup at a time, beating well on low after each addition.
    • Add the vanilla bean paste and salt and mix on low until well combined.
    • Use to frost a cooled cake or cupcakes.

    Notes

    This recipe makes a sturdy, pipeable frosting for 6 cupcakes or 1 6-inch cake.
    Add a tablespoon of milk or heavy cream to make the frosting thinner. Add 4+ tablespoons of milk to turn it into an icing.
    To make the frosting thicker, add a tablespoon of cornstarch.
    Storage: Leftover frosting can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Give it a mix when you're ready to use it.
    Freezing: Cream cheese frosting can be frozen in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. When you're ready to use it, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before giving it a good stir to make it smooth and creamy.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 291kcalCarbohydrates: 41.2gProtein: 1.2gFat: 14.2gSaturated Fat: 8.6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.6gMonounsaturated Fat: 3.9gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 39.4mgSodium: 109.6mgPotassium: 28mgFiber: 0gSugar: 40.1gVitamin A: 122.9IUVitamin C: 0mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 0mg
    Keyword cream cheese frosting, small batch
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    About Megan Weimer

    Megan Weimer is the recipe developer, writer, and food photographer behind Dollop of Dough. Since 2021, she's been inspiring home bakers to create low-key, yet elevated desserts that range from traditional to allergy-friendly.

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    Hi there, I'm Megan!

    Welcome to Dollop of Dough! Here you will find recipes for desserts, drinks, and sweet snacks that are easy to prepare and delicious. There's gluten free, vegan, and paleo options abound!

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