Top sugar cookies with this creamy, rich, and flavorful cream cheese frosting for cookies! It's easy to make with basic ingredients (without milk!) and can be used to frost just about any sugar cookie recipe. Add it to thick, fluffy no roll sugar cookies or just as an easy spreadable icing on top of cut out sugar cookies.
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Up until a few years ago, I wasn't a big fan of frosting on cookies. It wasn't until I moved to Salt Lake and found the best little cookie shop named Ruby Snap that I fell in love with thick, soft cookies topped with frosting.
They have a cookie called the Mia, which is essentially a thick fluffy sugar cookie topped with a thick layer of the creamiest, most delicious beet frosting (I was skeptical of the beet at first, but it's magical).
Ever since then, I've made it my mission to replicate the cookie and although I haven't tackled a beet frosting, this cream cheese frosting paired with my no roll sugar cookies is the closest thing I have gotten to those prized little cookies.
What You Need to Make Cream Cheese Frosting for Cookies
- Powdered Sugar
- Cream Cheese
- Vanilla
- Almond Extract
- Perfectly paired with: No Roll Sugar Cookies
How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting for Cookies
Step 1: Using a mixer, beat the butter and cream cheese on medium speed until light and creamy.
Step 2: Keeping the mixer on medium speed, slowly add in the vanilla extract, almond extract, and powdered sugar. Once all the powdered sugar disappears, turn the mixer on high speed and beat for 2 minutes until light and fluffy. (Yes, this is a frosting without milk!)
Step 3: To color the icing, I recommend squeezing a dot of food coloring on a paper plate, dipping the tip of a toothpick through it, then swiping it through the frosting. This will allow you to control the amount of color you add.
Tip: For this light pink shade, I just did one swipe of red food coloring.
Step 4: Use an offset spatula or butter knife to spread frosting onto cooled cookies. If not enjoying immediately, store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator (they need to be refrigerated since the frosting contains cream cheese).
Cream Cheese Frosting for Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
Before you begin! If you make this, will you do me a huge favor and leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe? This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter (½ cup, i.e. 1 stick) and softened cream cheese (4 ounces) on medium speed using a hand or stand mixer (with paddle attachment) for 2-3 minutes (until light and creamy).½ cup unsalted butter, 4 ounces cream cheese
- Keeping the mixer on medium speed, slowly add in vanilla extract (1 teaspoon), almond extract (¼ teaspoon) and powdered sugar (1 ¼ cups). Once incorporated, turn mixer to high speed and beat for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon almond extract, 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
- Spread or pipe frosting on cooled cookies and top with sprinkles!
Last Step! Please leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe! This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this cream cheese icing harden?
The frosting will develop a slight crust if left sitting out (or when refrigerated), but it won't completely harden. Which means you shouldn't stack them when they're at room temperature. For my tips of perfect stacking, see my guide on how to freeze sugar cookies.
Can I freeze cream cheese icing?
Yes, you can freeze the cream cheese in a plastic bag for up to 1 month. When you're ready to use it, thaw in the refrigerator until soft. You may need to stir it before using, as the oils may separate during the thawing process.
To freeze frosted cookies, first place the cookies on a baking tray in the freezer until the frosting hardens. Next, place the cookies in an airtight container, placing a piece of parchment paper in between each layer. To thaw, remove the cookies from the layered container, place cookies on a baking tray inside the refrigerator. For my tips of perfect stacking, see my guide on how to freeze sugar cookies.
What cookies can I pair with this cream cheese frosting?
My favorite recipes to pair with this cream cheese frosting are my Cut Out Sugar Cookies or No Roll Sugar Cookies.
Lee
This is the best cream cheese frosting I've made!!! It came out creamy, flavorful, and able to be piped onto my cookies. Thank you!
Melissa
I'm so glad to hear that, Lee! Thank you so much for leaving a review, I really appreciate it!
Jeannie
Love the almond in the frosting! Also that you have the ingredients with the directions so I’m not scrolling back and forth!🤩
Melissa
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Jeannie! So glad you enjoyed it!
Jrannie
Love the almond in the frosting! Also that you put the ingredients with the directions so I’m not scrolling back and forth!!🤩
Kat Everett
I swapped the almond extract for cardamom & added a bit of food coloring to tint it orange. I topped some orange and cardamom sugar cookies with it! Devine!
Melissa
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Kat! I really appreciate it!
Dusti
Was looking for a cream cheese frosting recipe and found my new forever one!!! This worked up quick, perfect consistency and taste delicious!!! Thank you!
Melissa
So happy to hear that! Thank you so much for leaving a review, I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Allison
Amazing. Obsessed
Melissa
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Allison!
Jen
This is a great recipe. Will be my go to for cookies and some cakes from now on. Nice job!
I'm not a fan of almond so I just added a little more vanilla. My husband likes the almond so we had both flavors. Just love this!
Melissa
I'm so glad you guys enjoyed this recipe, Jen! Thank you so much for leaving a review, I really appreciate it!
DEMI HARRIS
I want to know is almond needed because someone in my family is allergic!!
Melissa
No you can leave it out! Just add a splash more vanilla :)
DEMI HARRIS
Im only 11 but I love baking however I want to know is almond needed because someone in my family is allergic!!
Melissa
Hi Demi! You don't have to add it! You can substitute it out for more vanilla :)
Lisa
Wonderful frosting recipe - light and creamy and not too sweet!
Melissa
So glad you love this recipe! Thank you so much for leaving a review, Lisa!
Kristy
Wonderful frosting. Spreads very nicely on cookies, I added 1/2 teaspoon Almond Extract.
Anna
Great icing not so sweet I loved it!
Melissa
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Anna!
Karen Sammon
This frosting is delicious and my husband loves it too. THANK YOU!
Melissa
So glad to hear you guys loved this recipe! Thank you so much for leaving a review, Karen!
Gary Carlisle
This is fantastic frosting! So easy and quick to make as well!
Melissa
So glad you loved the recipe, Gary! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review!