Cream Cheese Frosting for Brownies is creamy, tangy, and not too sweet -- I promise! It has just enough sugar to perfectly sweeten it while allowing the flavor of cream cheese to shine. It's the perfect finishing touch to a pan of gooey, fudgy brownies.
This easy cream cheese frosting recipe is amazing on these fudgy dark chocolate Espresso Brownies with chocolate chips.
I love brownies. I love cream cheese frosting. Ergo, I love gooey brownies with cream cheese frosting. BUT, the combo has the potential to be too sweet -- even for me, and all my teeth are sweet.
After testing different cream cheese frosting recipes with our favorite fudgy chocolate brownies, this tangy cream cheese frosting was the clear winner. It's not too sweet, tastes like cream cheese (not powdered sugar!), and makes the perfect small batch of frosting for an 8 or 9 inch pan of brownies.
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- Cream cheese frosting recipe that's not too sweet -- perfect for fudgy brownies!
- A great way to level up your favorite brownie recipe or red velvet brownies
- Easy recipe to turn a box of brownie mix into a decadent dessert for Valentine's Day or a special occasion
🧈Ingredients
See recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full list of ingredients and exact amounts.
- Softened cream cheese. Cream cheese can vary by brand in terms of flavor, texture, and creaminess. I use Philadelphia cream cheese. Be sure to use block cream cheese and not the kind in a tub.
- Softened butter. I always use unsalted butter, but you can also use salted butter.
- Powdered sugar. For best results, measure powdered sugar like flour: spoon it into a measuring cup and level the top off with a knife. If the powdered sugar is extra lumpy, sift it before adding it to the cream cheese mixture.
🥣How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting for Brownies
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, whip the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer at high speed until light and fluffy and there are no lumps.
Step 2: Add the powdered sugar and mix on low until just combined, then on high speed until smooth and creamy.
Step 3: Immediately frost an 8 or 9 inch cooled pan of brownies. Top with your favorite sprinkles or sifted unsweetened cocoa powder.
Step 4: You can also store the frosting in the refrigerator or freeze it for when you have a last-minute craving for decadent brownies with cream cheese frosting.
☑️Tips
- Use room temperature ingredients for a smooth and creamy consistency.
- If your kitchen is very warm or the cream cheese or butter is very soft, the frosting may also be very soft. Chill it in the refrigerator to thicken.
- For thicker cream cheese frosting, add more powdered sugar, ¼ cup at a time, up to one more cup, until it reaches your desired texture.
👉Bonus tip: to enhance the rich chocolate flavor of your favorite fudge brownies recipe, add a teaspoon of instant espresso powder with the dry ingredients -- or stir it into a box mix brownie batter.
🎁Storage
- Store unused cream cheese icing in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If is is too firm to spread, let it sit at room temperature until softened.
- Store leftover brownies with cream cheese frosting in an airtight container or covered in plastic wrap in the refrigerator.
- Freeze cream cheese frosting in a freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator. Rewhip it, if necessary, until smooth and creamy.
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📖 Recipe
Cream Cheese Frosting for Brownies
Ingredients
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 4 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whip the cream cheese and butter for 1-2 minutes until soft and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla until combined. Add the powdered sugar and mix until smooth and there are no lumps. Evenly spread the frosting over an 8x8 or 9x9 inch pan of cooled brownies. Store brownies frosted with cream cheese frosting in the refrigerator.
- If the frosting is too thin, chill in the refrigerator. You can also add more powdered sugar, up to 1 cup more, which will make the frosting much sweeter.
Notes
- This cream cheese frosting is less sweet. For sweeter cream cheese frosting, add up to 1 more cup of powdered sugar. More powdered sugar will also thicken it.
- For a 9 x 13 pan of brownies, double the recipe.
- Use room temperature ingredients for a smooth and creamy consistency.
- If your kitchen is very warm or the cream cheese or butter is very soft, the frosting may also be very soft. Chill it in the refrigerator to thicken.
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