Cream Cheese Frosting without Powdered Sugar

This cream cheese frosting is thick, fluffy, and pipeable. This easy cream cheese frosting is made without powdered sugar and is made with just 4 simple ingredients!

Cream cheese frosting on an apple spice cupcake.

This is the ultimate, light and fluffy cream cheese frosting. It has a nice tang to it that cuts some of the sweetness.

I’ve made a lot of versions of cream cheese icing over the years, but this recipe is my favorite easy, pipeable frosting.

It’s a little different than traditional cream cheese frosting because it’s made without powdered sugar and without butter. Instead, it uses granulated sugar (check out my super popular whipped buttercream frosting recipe that also uses granulated sugar), cream cheese, and heavy cream.

This frosting is so thick and fluffy and creamy that you’d never guess that it has granulated sugar in it.

It’s perfect for topping cakes, cupcakes, or cinnamon rolls!

Ingredients

Heavy cream – Heavy cream is also called “heavy whipping cream”. It helps to make the frosting light and fluffy.
Granulated sugar – This recipe uses granulated sugar, not powdered sugar.
Cream cheese – I recommend using full-fat cream cheese. It’s thicker and richer than reduced-fat cream cheese. I don’t recommend using fat-free cream cheese.
Vanilla extract – I like to use pure vanilla extract for the best flavoring. However, you can use clear vanilla extract to keep the frosting lighter.

How to make cream cheese frosting without powdered sugar

This frosting is so simple to make! These step-by-step photos will show you how to make this recipe. The full recipe is given below.

Step 1: In a chilled mixing bowl, use either a hand mixer or a stand mixer to beat cream on high until stiff peaks begin to form.

Step 2: Cover and place in the refrigerator to chill while you continue.

Cream cheese and sugar in a silver mixing bowl.

Step 3: In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla together until well-combined, about 2-3 minutes on high. It’s important that the cream cheese and sugar be well-combined, so don’t cut this step short.

Cream cheese frosting in a silver mixing bowl.

Step 4: Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until combined.

FAQs

Can this cream cheese frosting be piped?

Yes, the frosting is pipeable.

Does this frosting crust?

No, the frosting stays soft and doesn’t crust.

Can I make cream cheese frosting ahead of time?

Yes, you can mix it up, covered, and chill it until you’re ready to use it.

Do I need to chill the frosting?

Yes, cream cheese frosting should be stored, covered, in the fridge.

Can I make the frosting thicker?

Yes, you can use less whipped cream to make a thicker frosting.

Cupcake with cream cheese frosting on a wooden cutting board.

Storage

Store any leftover cream cheese frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The frosting will keep for 3-4 days when properly stored in the fridge.

Recipes that go well with cream cheese frosting

If you’ve tried this cream cheese frosting recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who’ve made my recipes!

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5 from 64 votes