Name: Cream cheese icing
Yield: About 850 g icing
Cuisine: International
Ingredients: 115 g Unsalted butter Softened, not greasy; 225 g Full-fat block cream cheese Softened; 500 g Icing sugar Sifted; 1.25 mL Fine salt Level measure

Method

01 · Beat base
2–3 min
Use: Base
Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth, scraping the bowl.
Ready when: No cold cheese lumps.
01 Beat baseBeat the butter and cream cheese until smooth.
02 · Add sugar
3 min
Use: Beat base, Sugar
Add icing sugar and salt gradually on low speed, then beat briefly until creamy.
Ready when: Thick and spreadable.
02 Add sugarAdd the sugar gradually and beat briefly until creamy.
03 · Use or chill
As needed
Use: Add sugar
Spread on completely cool cake. Refrigerate if it is too soft to handle.
Ready when: Icing keeps a spatula ridge.
03 Use or chillChill the icing if it is too soft to handle.

What to look for

Stage	Look / feel for	Needs attention
Beat base	No cold cheese lumps.	Stop at this cue rather than relying only on elapsed time.
Add sugar	Thick and spreadable.	Stop at this cue rather than relying only on elapsed time.
Use or chill	Icing keeps a spatula ridge.	Stop at this cue rather than relying only on elapsed time.

Troubleshooting

If you see this	Likely cause	What to do now	Next time
Runny icing	Wet spread-style cheese or warm butter.	Chill before using; avoid prolonged beating.	Use firm block cream cheese.
Lumps	Cold cheese or unsifted sugar.	Press small lumps against the bowl with a spatula.	Soften the cheese and sift sugar first.

Keep refrigerated for up to 3 days. Allow a short softening time before spreading.

Ingredient choices & substitutions

Ingredient	Specified type	Brand	Status
Unsalted butter	Softened, not greasy	No required brand	Match the ingredient type
Full-fat block cream cheese	Softened	No required brand	Match the ingredient type
Icing sugar	Sifted	No required brand	Match the ingredient type
Fine salt	Level measure	No required brand	Match the ingredient type

Ingredient	Alternative / ratio	Adjust handling	Likely outcome
Full-fat block cream cheese	Another full-fat block cream cheeseEqual weight	Use a firm product; drainable or whipped tub spreads are not equivalent.	Similar texture; wet spreads can prevent setting.
Unsalted butter	Salted butter115 g	Omit the separate salt.	Similar consistency; saltiness varies.

Match the ingredient’s function and weight. See the flour, gluten, yeast and salt guide.

Other approaches to this recipe

Cook / recipe	Use	What differs

The working ingredients and method form one recipe. Different formulas are compared without averaging their quantities or rise schedules.

Recommended Tools Regular Baker	Casual Baker Workarounds Hacks
Digital kitchen scale	Borrow a suitable scale for the gram amounts. Use measuring cups only where a volume is provided; fluff flour, spoon it in and level without packing.
Measuring spoons and a marked jug	Use standard measuring spoons for small volumes and a kitchen measuring jug for liquids; eating spoons vary in size.
Mixer with paddle or beaters	Use a sturdy spoon and bowl for softened butter mixtures, or a hand mixer. Cream until lighter; do not replace beating with a quick stir.
Bowl	Use a clean food-safe bowl with enough headroom for mixing or rising. For whipped whites, keep it free of grease.
Spatula	Use a flexible food-safe scraper or a flat spoon suited to the task; choose heat-resistant tools for hot pans.

Recommended Tools Regular Baker	Casual Baker Workarounds Hacks
Digital kitchen scale	Borrow a suitable scale for the gram amounts. Use measuring cups only where a volume is provided; fluff flour, spoon it in and level without packing.
Measuring spoons and a marked jug	Use standard measuring spoons for small volumes and a kitchen measuring jug for liquids; eating spoons vary in size.
Mixer with paddle or beaters	Use a sturdy spoon and bowl for softened butter mixtures, or a hand mixer. Cream until lighter; do not replace beating with a quick stir.
Bowl	Use a clean food-safe bowl with enough headroom for mixing or rising. For whipped whites, keep it free of grease.
Spatula	Use a flexible food-safe scraper or a flat spoon suited to the task; choose heat-resistant tools for hot pans.

Cream cheese icing

Cream cheese icing