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.
This sounds very good. Do the cookies have to be refrigerated after frosting or can they be left on the counter?
I kind of knew I wasn’t going to like the almond extract but the really nice part of it is that when it’s on a cookie, it’s a really lovely taste. My favorite part being I don’t want to eat all this frosting plain, it needs to be on a cookie so for me it’s truly win/win. Lovely, fluffy icing for sugar cookies. Thanks!
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Kayla! So glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe!
Was hoping for more of a firmer frosting. This really sticks to Saran Wrap.
This recipe always, always hits the spot!!! Thank you! The almond extract is a delightful touch.
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Cassandra! I really appreciate it!
This is so easy to make and very delicious. I’ve made it many times and people always ask for the recipe.
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Ginger! So glad to hear you enjoy this recipe so much!
I used this as a frosting for some sugar cookies I made over Memorial Day. Great recipe, and we really liked the almond extract addition! Thank you!
So glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you so much for leaving a review, Jessica!
Hi hi how long will the frosting last if kept on the counter? Or in the fridge? Can I make a batch and leave it on the counter?
Hi! If you're not going to use it within a couple of hours, you'll want to refrigerate it. It will last in the fridge for up to a week.
Thank you! This recipe worked well for a cookie decorating party with 5-15 year olds. Added orange zest instead of flavoring and used beet juice for color. Yum!
So happy to hear that! Thank you so much for leaving a review, Chris!
Very good icing; the almond extract adds a perfect touch. This will be one of my go too.
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Angie!
Absolutely some of the best recipes ever
Thank you
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Phyllis!
So easy and tasty!
I'm so glan you liked the cream cheese frosting recipe, Chenelle! Thanks for takiing time to leave a review!
Awsome
Thank you so much for taking time to leave a review, Greg. I'm glad you enjoyed the Cream Cheese Cookie Frosting recipe!
Icing is so easy and delicious
I'm so happy you enjoyed the Cream Cheese Frosting for Cookies recipe, Donna! Thanks for leaving a review. I appreciate it!
Exactly what I was looking for. Came out softer than I thought so added a bit more xxx sugar. Still need to harden up but the taste is splendid! Thank you it’s a keeper.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the cream cheese cookie frosting recipe, GiGi! Thanks so much for taking time to leave a review!
Great recipe… I frosted several dozen cookies with this recipe, and after mixing added food coloring for Christmas cookies
I'm so glad you enjoyed the cream cheese cookie frosting recipe, David! Thanks so much for taking time to leave a review!
Substituted Lakanto Monk Fruit Classic Powdered Sweetener for Keto cookies. Worked and tasted great. Thank you for the recipe.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the Cream Cheese Cookie Frosting, Urni! Thanks for taking time to leave a review!