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
- ยฝ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ยผ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 ยผ 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 (ยฝ 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).ยฝ cup unsalted butter, 4 ounces cream cheese
- Keeping the mixer on medium speed, slowly add in vanilla extract (1 teaspoon), almond extract (ยผ teaspoon) and powdered sugar (1 ยผ cups). Once incorporated, turn mixer to high speed and beat for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ยผ teaspoon almond extract, 1 ยผ 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.
Ewelina says
Absolutely delicious, I wouldn't change a thing. The consistency is perfect and not too sweet. Saved and reused many times!!!
Melissa says
I'm so glad you enjoy the cream cheese cookie frosting recipe, Ewlina! Thanks so much for taking time to leave a review!
Laureen says
Iโve used this recipe on pumpkin cookies three years in a row now. Super simple recipe and tastes great
Melissa says
I am so glad you enjoy the Cream Cheese Frosting for Cookies, Laureen! Thanks so much for leaving a review. I appreciate it!
Laura says
Easy to follow instructions (I like how the ingredient amounts are also listed in each step so you donโt have to toggle between instructions and ingredients).
Nice balance and perfect amount for frosting cookies. I put them on sugar cookies with Autumn spice sprinkles.
Melissa says
I'm so glad you liked cream cheese cookie frosting, Laura! Thanks for taking time to leave a review!
Karen Ballard says
Quick, easy and tasty frosting. I used it on carrot cake cookies. Added a little more almond extract as my Madagascar vanilla overpowered the almond.
Melissa says
I'm so glad you liked it, Karen! Thank you for taking time to leave a review!
Carol says
So easy to follow and yummy
Melissa says
I am so glad you liked this frosting, Carol! Thank you for taking time to leave a review!
Isa says
I added extra frosting to my carrot cake cookies, so Devine!! Recipe is the best, thank you very much. Now back to eating my cookies. ๐
Melissa says
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Isa!
Lee says
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 says
I'm so glad to hear that, Lee! Thank you so much for leaving a review, I really appreciate it!
Jeannie says
Love the almond in the frosting! Also that you have the ingredients with the directions so Iโm not scrolling back and forth!๐คฉ
Melissa says
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Jeannie! So glad you enjoyed it!
Jrannie says
Love the almond in the frosting! Also that you put the ingredients with the directions so Iโm not scrolling back and forth!!๐คฉ
Kat Everett says
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 says
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Kat! I really appreciate it!
Lori Dyal says
I didn't have almond extract so used a little more vanilla. Very yummy ๐ next time. I'll use the almond extract ๐ ๐
Dusti says
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 says
So happy to hear that! Thank you so much for leaving a review, I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Allison says
Amazing. Obsessed
Melissa says
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Allison!
Jen says
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 says
I'm so glad you guys enjoyed this recipe, Jen! Thank you so much for leaving a review, I really appreciate it!
DEMI HARRIS says
I want to know is almond needed because someone in my family is allergic!!
Melissa says
No you can leave it out! Just add a splash more vanilla :)
DEMI HARRIS says
Im only 11 but I love baking however I want to know is almond needed because someone in my family is allergic!!
Melissa says
Hi Demi! You don't have to add it! You can substitute it out for more vanilla :)
Lisa says
Wonderful frosting recipe - light and creamy and not too sweet!
Melissa says
So glad you love this recipe! Thank you so much for leaving a review, Lisa!