The Ultimate Ina Garten Red Velvet Frosting Recipe – Silky Perfection

Red Velvet frosting transforms ordinary desserts into spectacular culinary creations with its luxurious, silky texture and sophisticated taste profile.

Bold yet delicate, this classic American frosting captures hearts with its signature creamy consistency and subtle flavor nuances.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike cherish its versatility and elegant appearance.

Complex yet approachable, the frosting balances sweetness with a hint of tanginess that elevates any baked treat.

Color and richness combine to create a sensory experience that delights both eyes and palate.

Smooth cream cheese serves as the foundational element, giving the frosting its distinctive character and velvety mouthfeel.

Precise ingredient proportions ensure a perfectly balanced result that will impress even discerning dessert enthusiasts: prepare to wow your guests!

Say Goodbye with a Frosting Finger Swipe

Culinary magic emerges from Ina Garten’s red velvet frosting recipe, blending classic techniques with sophisticated flavor profiles.

Cream cheese and butter dance together, creating a luxurious texture that elevates any cake or cupcake.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike will appreciate the simple yet elegant method of crafting this iconic topping.

Silky smooth consistency promises a delightful experience with each sweet bite.

Such masterful preparation reflects Garten’s renowned cooking expertise and commitment to quality ingredients.

You’ll want to share this irresistible recipe with friends, snap a tempting photo for social media, and spread the deliciousness – so go ahead, click that like button, drop a comment, and let others savor this culinary treasure!

Why Red Velvet Frosting Is the Star of the Show

• Whip Up Velvety Smoothness: This cream cheese frosting delivers an incredibly silky texture that glides effortlessly across cakes and cupcakes, creating a luxurious mouthfeel with every bite.
• Master Foolproof Mixing: Ina Garten's simple technique ensures perfect consistency by carefully mixing ingredients just until combined, preventing overmixing and guaranteeing a professional-quality frosting every single time.
• Customize with Ease: The versatile recipe allows quick chilling to achieve the ideal spreading consistency, making it adaptable for different decorating needs and ensuring your desserts always look picture-perfect.
• Quick and Stress-Free Preparation: With only a few basic ingredients and minimal steps, this frosting comes together in minutes, making it an ideal choice for both novice and experienced bakers who want delicious results without complicated techniques.

Gather These Essentials for a Velvety Whip

• Cream Cheese: Soft, tangy base that provides rich and creamy texture for the frosting.
• Butter: Adds smooth richness and helps create a stable frosting consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet aromatic notes.

• Powdered Sugar: Smooth sweetener that thickens the frosting and provides perfect spreadable texture.

• Salt (Optional): Small pinch helps balance and enhance the overall sweet flavor profile.

Whip It Up for Creamy, Dreamy Goodness

Step 1: Gather Your Creamy Companions

• Cream cheese
• Unsalted butter
• Pure vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar

Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for smooth blending.

Step 2: Create Smooth Magic

Place cream cheese, butter, and vanilla in a stand mixer bowl with paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until just combined, being careful not to overwork the mixture. The goal is a silky, uniform base without air bubbles.

Step 3: Sweeten The Deal

Gradually sift powdered sugar into the mixture. Mix on low speed, then increase to medium, beating until the frosting becomes perfectly smooth and lusciously creamy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure every bit is incorporated.

Step 4: Perfect The Texture

Check the consistency of your frosting. If it seems too soft or loose, pop the bowl in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. This quick chill will help firm up the frosting, making it ideal for spreading or piping onto your favorite cake or cupcakes.

Step 5: Ready To Decorate

Your red velvet frosting is now ready to transform any dessert. Use immediately for the most luxurious, velvety finish. If not using right away, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Pro Tip: For ultra-smooth application, use an offset spatula or piping bag to create beautiful, professional-looking decorations.

Tips for Frosting That Stays Smooth and Light

• Prep Ingredients with Care: Bring butter and cream cheese to room temperature for at least 30 minutes to ensure smooth, lump-free frosting that blends perfectly.
• Master the Mixing Technique: Stop beating the frosting the moment ingredients are combined to maintain the ideal creamy consistency without making it runny.
• Sift for Silky Smoothness: Run powdered sugar through a fine-mesh sieve to eliminate clumps, creating a luxuriously smooth frosting that spreads like a dream.
• Temperature Troubleshooting: Pop the frosting in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes if it feels too soft, helping it firm up and become more manageable.
• Texture Rescue Tricks: Keep a little milk and extra sifted powdered sugar on hand to quickly adjust the frosting's consistency, ensuring the perfect spreading or piping texture.

Store It Fluffy and Ready for Swirling

• Cool Completely Method: Allow frosting to reach room temperature naturally after preparation. Prevents condensation and maintains smooth texture.
• Airtight Container Method: Place cooled frosting in sealed glass or plastic container with tight-fitting lid. Protects frosting from absorbing other refrigerator odors and prevents moisture contamination.
• Refrigeration Technique: Store container in coldest part of refrigerator, typically back shelf away from door. Maintains freshness for maximum 5 days and preserves delicate consistency. Gently stir before serving to restore original creamy texture.

Creative Twists on the Red Velvet Classic

• Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting: Add 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder to the original recipe for a rich, chocolatey version that complements red velvet cake perfectly.
• Citrus Zest Variation: Incorporate 1 tablespoon of orange or lemon zest into the frosting for a bright, tangy flavor that cuts through the sweetness and adds complexity.
• Maple Cream Cheese Frosting: Replace 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar with pure maple syrup to create a warm, autumnal twist with deep caramel undertones.
• Bourbon-Infused Frosting: Mix in 1-2 tablespoons of high-quality bourbon for an adult-friendly version that brings depth and subtle warmth to the classic cream cheese frosting.

Ina Garten Red Velvet Frosting Recipe

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4.8 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s red velvet frosting elevates classic desserts with creamy, luscious elegance. Rich cream cheese and butter blend seamlessly, creating a silky smooth topping that makes fans swoon and bakers celebrate.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 3½ cups (0.79 kg) confectioners’ sugar
• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, at room temperature
• 12 tablespoons (1½ sticks or 170 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature

Fat and Flavor Enhancers:

• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare the dairy base by placing softened cream cheese, room temperature butter, and pure vanilla extract into the electric mixer bowl fitted with the paddle attachment. Blend these ingredients at medium speed until they are just harmoniously incorporated, being careful to avoid excessive mixing.
2. Gently sift the powdered sugar (icing sugar) into the mixture, gradually adding it while the mixer runs at a low speed. Continue blending until the frosting achieves a silky, uniform consistency with no visible sugar granules.
3. Assess the frosting’s texture and stability. If the mixture appears too soft or lacks structure for spreading or piping, transfer the bowl to the refrigerator and allow it to chill for 10-15 minutes, which will help firm up the cream cheese frosting and enhance its spreadability.

Notes

• Chill the frosting briefly if it becomes too soft, helping it firm up perfectly for smooth spreading.
• Softly adjust the consistency by adding milk to thin or sifted sugar to thicken, creating the ideal texture.
• Prevent lumpy results by using room temperature ingredients, especially butter and cream cheese.
• Sifting icing sugar eliminates unwanted clumps, ensuring a luxuriously silky and professional-looking finish.
• Stop mixing the moment ingredients blend smoothly, avoiding an overly runny or deflated frosting texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 250 kcal
• Sugar: 34 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg