Ina Garten’s Sweet Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe for Bakers

Cream cheese frosting transforms ordinary desserts into extraordinary culinary experiences with its silky smooth texture and irresistible tang.

The classic frosting brings magical moments of pure indulgence to cakes, cupcakes, and sweet treats.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike cherish this versatile topping for its creamy consistency and delectable flavor profile.

Its rich, velvety composition creates a luxurious layer that elevates simple baked goods into memorable desserts.

Balanced between sweet and tangy, cream cheese frosting offers a sophisticated twist that delights taste buds with every bite.

The recipe requires minimal ingredients and comes together quickly, making it a go-to option for busy bakers seeking maximum impact.

Whipping up this luscious frosting promises to turn any ordinary dessert into a celebration of deliciousness: get ready to impress.

Ending on a Sweet Note with Creamy Frosting

Silky smooth cream cheese frosting becomes magical when Ina Garten’s recipe whispers culinary elegance.

Delicate almond and vanilla notes dance through each creamy bite, creating memorable dessert experiences.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike appreciate such simple yet sophisticated techniques.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients elevate classic frostings into extraordinary sensations.

Rich textures promise delightful connections between sweet memories and current celebrations.

You’ll discover pure satisfaction with this remarkable recipe – so share the deliciousness, comment with your baking adventures, and spread delectable joy across social networks!

Why Ina Garten Cream Cheese Frosting Wins Every Time

• Whip Up Creamy Perfection: This frosting delivers a luxurious, silky-smooth texture that glides effortlessly across cakes and cupcakes, creating a cloud-like topping that melts in your mouth.
• Flavor Explosion Made Simple: With just a hint of almond and vanilla extracts, the recipe transforms basic ingredients into a sophisticated, multi-dimensional taste that elevates any dessert from ordinary to extraordinary.
• Effortless Gourmet Magic: Using an electric mixer makes this recipe incredibly quick and foolproof, allowing even novice bakers to achieve professional-looking results in mere minutes without complicated techniques or specialized skills.

Everything You Need for Frosting Richness

• Cream Cheese: Soft, tangy foundation that gives the frosting its signature smooth texture and rich flavor.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, spreadable consistency.

• Almond Extract: Provides a subtle, nutty background note that elevates the overall taste.
• Vanilla Extract: Classic flavoring that deepens the frosting's warmth and complexity.

• Confectioners' Sugar: Powdery sweetener that creates the right consistency and sweetness level for the frosting.

Step-by-Step Guide to Ina’s Cream Cheese Frosting

Step 1: Gather Your Creamy Ingredients

Collect all your frosting components: cream cheese, butter, almond extract, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar. Make sure these are at room temperature for the smoothest blending experience.

Step 2: Create The Magical Mixing Base

Place cream cheese and butter into a large electric mixer bowl. Attach the paddle attachment, which will help create a silky smooth texture.

Step 3: Infuse Delightful Flavor Essences

• Almond extract
• Vanilla extract

Step 4: Whip Up The Dreamy Mixture

Turn on the mixer at medium speed. Blend the ingredients until they become completely smooth and integrated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Step 5: Incorporate The Sweet Powder

• Sprinkle in small amounts
• Mix thoroughly after each addition
• Continue until all sugar is combined

Step 6: Perfect The Frosting Consistency

Beat the mixture for an additional 1-2 minutes until the frosting becomes light, fluffy, and spreadable. The texture should be creamy and hold its shape beautifully.

Step 7: Ready To Decorate

Your frosting is now prepared for spreading on cakes, cupcakes, or whatever delicious treat you’re creating!

Tips for the Silkiest Cream Cheese Finish

• Soften Ingredients Perfectly: Let cream cheese and butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes to ensure they blend seamlessly without lumps.
• Sift Sugar Like a Pro: Use a fine-mesh strainer to eliminate powdery clumps, creating an ultra-smooth frosting with professional-quality texture.
• Adjust Consistency Easily: A teaspoon of milk can thin out thick frosting, while an extra tablespoon of powdered sugar can thicken a runny mixture.
• Prevent Overbeating: Mix ingredients just until combined, stopping when the frosting looks glossy and smooth to maintain its perfect structure.
• Store Smartly: Refrigerate frosted desserts in an airtight container for up to 5 days, allowing flavors to meld and texture to stabilize.

Store Your Frosting Without Drying It Out

• Cool Compression: Seal frosting in an airtight glass container, pressing plastic wrap directly against the surface to prevent air exposure and minimize potential flavor absorption from other refrigerated items. Refrigerate promptly after preparing or using.
• Freeze Smart: Transfer frosting to freezer-safe zip-lock bags, removing excess air and laying flat for compact storage. Label with preparation date and use within 3 months for optimal taste and texture.
• Thaw Carefully: Remove frozen frosting from freezer 24 hours before needed, placing in refrigerator to gradually defrost. Gently stir once thawed to restore smooth consistency, discarding if any separation or unusual odor occurs.

Flavor Upgrades for Ina’s Frosting Favorite

• Classic Cream Cheese Frosting Remix: Add a hint of orange zest for a bright, citrusy flavor that elevates the traditional recipe.
• Spiced Cream Cheese Delight: Blend in ground cinnamon and nutmeg to create a warm, aromatic frosting perfect for fall-inspired desserts.
• Chocolate Cream Cheese Fusion: Incorporate melted dark chocolate into the base for a rich, decadent topping that pairs beautifully with chocolate cakes or cupcakes.
• Maple Cream Cheese Swirl: Drizzle in pure maple syrup for a subtle sweetness that brings a cozy, comforting dimension to the classic frosting.

Ina Garten Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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4.5 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting from Ina Garten elevates any dessert with its luxurious texture and balanced sweetness. Home bakers can quickly whip up this classic topping that brings restaurant-quality elegance to cakes, cupcakes, and pastries you’ll love.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dairy Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) cream cheese, room temperature
• ¾ pound (340 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature

Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon pure almond extract

Sweetener:

• 1 ½ pounds (680 grams) confectioners’ sugar, sifted

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Instructions

1. In a spacious electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, thoroughly blend softened cream cheese, unsalted butter, pure almond extract, and vanilla extract until the mixture achieves a smooth, homogeneous consistency.
2. Gradually incorporate sifted confectioners’ sugar into the creamy base, mixing on low speed until the frosting develops a uniform texture and all sugar is fully integrated.
3. Pause occasionally to scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl, ensuring no unmixed ingredients remain clinging to the edges.
4. Continue mixing until the frosting reaches a light, fluffy consistency with no visible sugar granules, typically requiring 3-4 minutes of continuous blending.
5. Once the desired texture is achieved, the frosting is ready for spreading, piping, or storing in an airtight container for future use.

Notes

• Soften cream cheese and butter at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to guarantee a velvety smooth blend.
• Use powdered sugar straight from a fine-mesh sieve to eliminate any stubborn clumps that might disrupt your frosting’s silky surface.
• Adjust frosting thickness by adding milk one teaspoon at a time, stirring carefully to maintain the perfect spreadable consistency.
• Blend ingredients gently and briefly to preserve the frosting’s rich, creamy structure without compromising its delicate texture.
• Store leftover frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days, allowing it to come to room temperature before rewhipping.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 182
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 78 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 44 mg