Silky Sweet Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe: Ina Garten’s Magic Touch

Whipping up a decadent cream cheese frosting brings pure delight to any baker seeking that perfect Ina Garten cream cheese frosting recipe.

Smooth, tangy, and luxuriously creamy, this frosting promises to elevate your desserts from simple to spectacular.

Professional chefs and home bakers alike adore how effortlessly this recipe comes together with just a few quality ingredients.

The silky texture glides across cakes and cupcakes like a dream, creating an irresistible topping that melts in your mouth.

Its balanced sweetness and rich cream cheese base make every bite a celebration of flavor.

You’ll love how this frosting turns ordinary baked goods into extraordinary culinary masterpieces.

Grab your mixer and get ready to craft a frosting that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Ways to Use Ina Garten Cream Cheese Frosting

• Frost with Flair: Spread this creamy, dreamy frosting generously over your favorite cake or cupcakes, creating a smooth, luxurious layer that adds a touch of elegance to any dessert.
• Decorate Delightfully: Use a piping bag with a star tip to create beautiful swirls and decorative patterns, transforming your baked goods into Instagram-worthy treats that will impress family and friends.
• Flavor Boost: Experiment by adding a sprinkle of crushed almonds or a drizzle of caramel on top of the frosted dessert to enhance the almond and vanilla notes, creating a more complex and exciting flavor profile.
• Chill and Serve: Refrigerate frosted desserts for 30 minutes before serving to help the frosting set and develop a firmer texture, ensuring picture-perfect presentation and a delightful taste experience.

Storing Leftover Frosting from Ina’s Kitchen

• Whip Up Smart Storage: Keep frosted treats in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor.
• Chill Before Serving: Allow refrigerated frosting to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before spreading, creating a smooth, spreadable consistency.
• Freeze for Future Fun: Transfer leftover frosting to a freezer-safe container and store up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and re-whip before using.
• Prevent Moisture Mishaps: Always cover frosted cakes or cupcakes with plastic wrap to prevent drying out and maintain that creamy, delectable texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 238 kcal

Servings: 12

Things You’ll Need for Ina Garten Cream Cheese Frosting

• Cream Cheese: Provides silky smooth texture and tangy richness that balances sweetness perfectly.
• Butter: Adds luxurious richness and helps create a velvety, spreadable consistency.

• Almond Extract: Introduces a subtle, nutty depth that elevates the traditional frosting profile.
• Vanilla Extract: Delivers warm, classic undertones that complement the cream cheese's natural flavor.

• Confectioners' Sugar: Creates the ideal soft, pillowy texture while delivering perfect sweetness without graininess.

What Helps When Making Ina’s Cream Cheese Frosting

• Electric Mixer: A powerful kitchen tool with a paddle attachment for smooth mixing.
• Mixing Bowl: Large, sturdy bowl that fits the electric mixer perfectly.
• Spatula: Helpful for scraping down sides and ensuring all ingredients blend evenly.
• Measuring Cups: Precise measurements for confectioners' sugar and extracts.
• Measuring Spoons: Essential for accurately adding almond and vanilla extracts.

How to Whip Ina Garten’s Cream Cheese Frosting

• Mixing Base

Grab your electric mixer and paddle attachment. You’ll want to create a smooth, creamy foundation by blending the cream cheese and butter until they become light and fluffy. The kitchen will start to smell amazing as these ingredients dance together.

• Sweet Transformation

Gradually add the powdered sugar while mixing. Keep blending until the frosting reaches a silky, spreadable consistency that will make your desserts look professionally decorated. The magic happens when everything comes together seamlessly, creating a luscious topping that’ll have everyone asking for your secret.

Flavor Switches in Ina Garten Frosting

• Take cream cheese and butter out of the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before mixing to ensure smooth, lump-free frosting that spreads like a dream.
• Experiment with different extracts like orange, coconut, or maple to create unique flavor combinations that complement your cake or cupcake.
• Gradually add confectioners' sugar and mix on low speed to prevent powdery clouds and ensure a silky, spreadable texture that's not too stiff or runny.
• Refrigerate frosted desserts in an airtight container for up to 5 days, or freeze unfrosted for later use – just thaw at room temperature before serving.
• Use a piping bag with various tips to create beautiful swirls, rosettes, or elegant designs that elevate your dessert from basic to bakery-worthy.

Heavenly Ina Garten Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Creamy cream cheese frosting from Ina Garten delivers luxurious sweetness for cakes and pastries. Rich ingredients blend seamlessly to create a silky smooth topping that completes desserts with professional polish.

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Ingredients

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• 1 ½ lbs (680 g) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
• 1 lb (454 g) cream cheese, room temperature
• ¾ lb (340 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• ½ tsp pure almond extract

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Instructions

1. Creaming: Combine softened cream cheese, unsalted butter, pure almond extract, and vanilla extract in an electric mixer with paddle attachment. Beat until the mixture transforms into a silky, uniform blend.
2. Sugar Integration: Sift confectioners’ sugar into the creamy foundation, mixing on low speed. Gradually fold the sugar until the frosting develops a consistent, velvety texture without any granular remnants.
3. Refinement: Intermittently pause mixing to sweep down bowl sides, guaranteeing complete ingredient incorporation. Continue blending for 3-4 minutes until the frosting becomes ethereally light and supremely smooth.
4. Finishing: The frosting is now primed for immediate application on cakes, cupcakes, or can be stored in a sealed container for future culinary adventures.

Notes

• Choose Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure cream cheese and butter are softened at room temperature for smooth, lump-free blending and optimal frosting texture.
• Control Mixing Speed: Start mixing at low speed when adding confectioners’ sugar to prevent messy sugar clouds and achieve a silky, even consistency.
• Watch Texture Carefully: Mix for 3-4 minutes maximum to create light, fluffy frosting without overbeating, which can cause separation or grainy texture.
• Store Smartly: Refrigerate frosting in an airtight container for up to 5 days, allowing it to come to room temperature before using for best spreading and piping results.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 238
• Sugar: 56 g
• Sodium: 83 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 57 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 61 mg