This super easy Cream Cheese Frosting recipe is a family favorite. My boys love it so much that they use it as a dip for strawberries. I thought that was rather inventive of them, and far better than eating it straight up!
I love this lightly sweetened frosting because it’s not as sweet as other cream cheese frosting recipes, and with just 4 ingredients, it’s so easy to make.
Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup cream cheese
- ¼ cup maple syrup or agave nectar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Whip heavy cream until stiff
- In a separate bowl, whip cream cheese until smooth, then blend in maple syrup and vanilla
- With a rubber spatula, gently fold whip cream into cream cheese mixture
Equipment
I’ve made this easy cream cheese frosting recipe many times. For the sweetener I’ve tested maple syrup, agave, and honey. The recipe is incredible with maple syrup, and worked very well with agave too. If you would like to make it with honey, the recipe will work in terms of consistency. However, we think the flavor of the honey overpowers the entire recipe and is simply too strong. When you make this easy frosting recipe, leave a comment to let us know which sweetener you used!
Here are some of my easy gluten-free dessert recipes that are just begging to be topped with this delicious Cream Cheese Frosting:
Charlene Smallwood says
My sister made this frosting for her sons birthday cake. It was soooo good that I had to come find it for myself. I have now found a frosting that I can make and feel okay about having every now and then.
Elana says
Charlene, thanks for your comment! I’m very happy to hear this was soooo good :-)
jamie says
This frosting is fabulous! I was looking online for a healthier frosting for a birthday cake and when I saw this, I had no doubt it would be fantastic. thanks for always being a go to for great recipes.
Elana says
Jamie, I’m so happy to hear this frosting is fabulous! And thanks for letting me know that I am your go to for great recipes :-)
Marisa Colbert says
Excellent recipes! The consistency and flavor are amazing. I used it on top of my gluten free carrot cake and it was a hit!
Elana says
Marisa, I’m so happy you are enjoying my recipes and thanks for letting me know they are excellent :-)
Toni says
Hi Elana,
Do you know how the cream cheese frosting would hold up on a birthday cake and also being coloured? Im wanting to use it on my daughters cake and want something healthier than a buttercream frosting.
Thanks Toni
Elana says
Hi Toni, I haven’t tried that so not sure. Happy birthday to your daughter and thanks so much for stopping by :-)
Raichael says
This was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!! I ran out of syrup so I just subbed about a tablespoon of Coconut sugar. It didn’t need it though. The cream cheese and heavy cream with vanilla were enough. I’ll have to try it with coconut cream sometime as I am becoming more and more lactose intolerant by the day. But this was SOOOO worth it!
Elana says
Raichael, I’m so happy to hear this was amazing!
Joanne says
My favorite cream cheese recipe – so creamy and light.
I used it for the carrot cake cupcakes – Very Yummy!!!
Elana says
Joanne, so great to hear this is your favorite cream cheese frosting recipe!
Amy bearden says
I really love this recipe. I have a diabetic daughter, I use treats very sparingly. Try to avoid artificial sweetener but do use some blends. I made these and used agave (1/2 amount for both the muffin and topping) and I think it is plenty seeet that way. My sons who hate my low carb inventions actually love these too in the even lessened sweetened version!
Elana says
Amy, I’m so happy to her that you and your kids love this recipe!
Ashleigh says
Hi Elana, I was thinking about trying this frosting on your Paleo vanilla birthday cake. Do you think that would work well together? Thank you! ?
Elana says
Ashleigh, I haven’t tried that but I think it would be amazing :-)
stephanie says
I made this frosting with goat cheese instead of cream cheese (which bothers my stomach) and it turned out great!
Elana says
Thanks Stephanie!
Karin says
used honey and caramel essense as i was out of vanilla essense, still so yummy
Elana says
Karin, that sounds delicious :-)