Cream Cheese Frosting

🥘 Ingredients

• cold cream cheese 8 oz
• unsalted butter, softened 6 Tbsp
• vanilla 2 tsp
• confectioners' sugar, sifted 3 cups
• lemon zest (optional)
• orange zest (optional)
• cinnamon (optional)
• liqueur (optional)
• cold cream cheese 8 oz
• unsalted butter, softened 5 Tbsp
• vanilla 2 tsp
• confectioners' sugar, sifted 4 cups
• lemon zest (optional)
• orange zest (optional)
• cinnamon (optional)
• liqueur (optional)

1. 1

   There are two secrets to making perfectly smooth cream cheese frosting with enough body to swirl on a cake or pipe through a pastry bag: Do not overbeat, and use cold - not softened - cream cheese. Have the butter, if using it, at room temperature, and sift the confectioners' sugar after measuring.
2. 2

   Feel free to vary the amount of confectioners' sugar to suit your taste: we have seen recipes with as little as 1 tsp and as much as 1/2 cup sugar per once of cream cheese.
3. 3

   Food Processor Method: Combine in a food processor and pulse just until smooth and creamy cold cream cheese , unsalted butter, softened , vanilla , and confectioners' sugar, sifted .
4. 4

   If the frosting is too stiff, pulse for a few seconds longer, do not overprocess. If desired, stir in additional flavorings to taste such as lemon zest (optional) , orange zest (optional) , cinnamon (optional) , or liqueur (optional) .
5. 5

   Electric Mixer Method: Beat in a medium bowl at low speed just until blended cold cream cheese , unsalted butter, softened , and vanilla .
6. 6

   Add one-third at a time and beat just until smooth and the desired consistency confectioners' sugar, sifted .
7. 7

   If the frosting is too stiff, beat for a few seconds longer; do not overbeat. If desired, stir in additional flavorings to taste such as lemon zest (optional) , orange zest (optional) , cinnamon (optional) , or liqueur (optional) .