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.
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
Top sugar cookies with this creamy, rich, and flavorful cream cheese frosting! It's easy to make with basic ingredients 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.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
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In a large bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese on medium speed using a hand or stand mixer (with paddle attachment) for 2-3 minutes (until light and creamy).
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Keeping the mixer on medium speed, slowly add in vanilla extract, almond extract and powdered sugar. Once incorporated, turn mixer to high speed and beat for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
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Spread or pipe frosting on cooled cookies and top with sprinkles!
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.
Tara says
Great recipe!!!!! I made Christmas cookies with my grandson & frosted them with this cream cheese frosting (OK, he frosted 2, Grandma did the rest), it was soooo good!!
Melissa says
So glad you enjoyed them! What a fun memory to make with your grandson!
Aristeia says
Can i use this recipe to frost cupcakes??
Melissa says
Yes you can! It’s not a pipeable frosting & won’t “harden” but I’ve used it on my white cupcake recipe and love it!
Janna says
Can I use salted butter?
Melissa says
Salted is fine, it’ll just have a saltier flavor (of course!).
Alex says
Best cream cheese frosting i’ve ever made! Thank you very much :)
Melissa says
So glad you loved it!
Patti says
Can’t wait to make this icing! Do cookies with the cream cheese frosting have to be refrigerated?
Melissa says
I personally refrigerate them to be safe, so that’s what I’d recommend (plus, I love this frosting chilled!). But a lot of frostings have enough sugar to keep them stable.