How to Turn Vanilla Frosting Into Cream Cheese Frosting

How to Turn Vanilla Frosting Into Cream Cheese Frosting
Written By
Michelle Mista
Michelle Mista
Published: Jan 13, 2011
Updated: Dec 13, 2021
2 minute read

Adding a delicious layer of creamy frosting can make even the most delicious baked good even better. Buttercream is a frosting recipe widely used by professional and home bakers. The most basic vanilla buttercream frosting contains good quality butter, powdered sugar and vanilla flavoring beaten together until light and fluffy. The addition of cream cheese to this mixture will make cream cheese buttercream frosting, which is popular on red velvet and carrot cake, as well as cinnamon buns.

Place the stick of butter in a bowl and mix with an electric mixer for one minute. Add 1/2 lb. of sifted powdered sugar and continue beat until well incorporated. Add 1 tsp. of vanilla extract to flavor and beat to combine.

Add 8 oz. of softened cream cheese to the vanilla buttercream. Beat well with a mixer to combine to create cream cheese buttercream frosting.

Add cream cheese to ready-mixed vanilla frosting. If you are starting with a store-bought vanilla frosting, you can add softened cream cheese to taste. Empty your vanilla frosting into a bowl and add softened cream cheese, 2 oz. at a time, beating well with an electric mixer. Continue adding cream cheese until the mixture reaches the desired taste and consistency.

Add cream cheese flavoring. If you are starting with a ready-mixed vanilla frosting, you can augment the flavor by adding artificial cream cheese flavoring. Artificial cream cheese flavoring is available through specialty baking stores online. Consult the label on your bottle of flavoring to determine how much to add as this will vary between brands.

Michelle Mista

Michelle Mista has loved technology since her earliest days. She began her career as an IT professional in the Silicon Valley. Mista combines her love of technology and writing to write about technology for the non-techies.

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