Okay, you guys. I would like to speak to you about one thing crucial — this strawberry cream cheese frosting recipe. 🍓 It’s SO dreamy, SO creamy, and SO bursting with actual strawberry taste that I actually can’t even. I’ve been on a critical frosting kick these days (my household is NOT complaining), and this one has fully taken over my baking sport. We’re speaking tangy cream cheese undertones, candy strawberry goodness, and 0 synthetic flavors or synthetic dyes. Simply pure, do-it-yourself magic. If you happen to’ve been sleeping on cream cheese strawberry frosting, right this moment is your wake-up name, good friend!

Why Freeze-Dried Strawberries Are the Secret Weapon

Can we speak about freeze-dried strawberries for a second? As a result of they’re an absolute game-changer! In contrast to contemporary strawberries, which add extra moisture and may result in runny frosting (the horror!), freeze-dried berries provide you with that sturdy strawberry taste with out the liquid drama. You simply blitz them in a meals processor till you get a high-quality powder — freeze-dried strawberry powder, mainly — and growth, you’ve acquired probably the most concentrated fruit powder conceivable. It’s out there at most grocery shops or on Amazon (sure, I’m an Amazon affiliate, full disclosure!). That is genuinely the easiest way to nail that beloved summer season berry taste each single time with out stress.

Contemporary Strawberry Frosting vs. the Freeze-Dried Technique

Now, I do know a few of you’re married to contemporary berries — and actually, I respect it! Contemporary strawberry frosting is totally great and completely doable. You’ll need to cook dinner your strawberry purée down over medium low warmth to take away extra moisture, then let it cool fully earlier than utilizing. A high-quality mesh sieve helps pressure the strawberry puree good and clean. Pat these contemporary strawberries dry with a paper towel first too! It’s a bit extra work, however the consequence is a beautiful contemporary strawberry cream cheese frosting that tastes like summer season in a bowl. Simply know that the freeze-dried technique is the simple manner in case you want a shortcut — no disgrace in that sport!

Easy methods to Make Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting Step by Step

Alright, let’s do that! First issues first — your components should be at room temperature. Chilly cream cheese = lumpy frosting, and we’re NOT doing that. Begin with a full-fat block of cream cheese and room-temperature butter (unsalted butter, please, so that you management the salt stage). Within the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment — or a big bowl with a hand mixer or electrical mixer — beat the softened butter and common cream cheese collectively on low velocity till creamy. Slowly add powdered sugar (aka confectioner’s sugar) one cup at a time, then fold in your freeze-dried strawberry powder or strawberry purée and pure vanilla extract. See the recipe card under for the entire checklist of components!

What to Frost With This Scrumptious Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

Oh gosh, WHERE DO I START. This frosting is unbelievable on so many issues! Clearly a strawberry layer cake or strawberry cake recipe is a match made in heaven — be nonetheless my coronary heart. 😍 It’s additionally ah-mazing on a birthday cake, vanilla cake, and even chocolate cupcakes for a candy spin. Pipe it onto contemporary strawberry cupcakes utilizing a piping bag and put together for compliments. It really works fantastically on layer muffins and even single layer cake conditions. If you happen to love a beautiful cake state of affairs, this frosting delivers each single time. Actually, I’d eat it off a spoon — and I’ve. No regrets. Weight Watchers wouldn’t approve however right here we’re!

Professional Ideas for the Greatest Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

A number of issues I’ve discovered the laborious manner so YOU don’t should! For finest outcomes, by no means skip room-temperature butter — it makes the cream cheese combination silky clean. In case your frosting feels too thick, add a tiny splash of cream. Too unfastened? Extra powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time. You may as well swap in strawberry preserves or strawberry jelly as a great different in case you’re in a pinch — although the flavour gained’t be as vibrant as actual strawberries. Some folks even love a raspberry cream cheese frosting riff utilizing the identical technique! Retailer your do-it-yourself frosting in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 5 days. This strawberry cream cheese frosting recipe is really a foolproof winner amongst all of the frosting recipes on the market!

Methods to Customise This Creamy Frosting

One in all my favourite issues about this recipe is how versatile it’s! Need plain cream cheese frosting? Simply skip the strawberries — performed! You may as well use completely different dried fruit powders like cherry strawberry blends for a enjoyable twist. For a lighter possibility, scale back the unsalted butter barely and let the cream cheese shine extra. If you happen to love cake mixes to your base, this frosting pairs fantastically with them — strive it on a white chocolate strawberry cake and even alongside enjoyable cupcake recipes. It additionally makes a dreamy filling for stuffed French toast! Mainly, this strawberry cream cheese icing — aka cream cheese strawberry frosting, basic strawberry buttercream frosting’s tangier cousin — is the one frosting you want this season. Go make it proper now! 🍓

Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Yield:
12 Servings

Prep Time:
10 minutes

Prepare dinner Time:
10 minutes

This dreamy, fluffy frosting is bursting with actual strawberry taste and has simply the correct tangy sweetness from cream cheese. It pipes fantastically onto cupcakes, spreads like a dream on layer muffins, and tastes unbelievable made with actual freeze-dried strawberries — no synthetic flavoring wanted.

Elements

• 8 oz (225g) full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• ⅓ cup (50g) freeze-dried strawberries, finely floor into powder
• 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1–2 tablespoons heavy cream (as wanted for consistency)
• Pinch of salt

Directions

1. Place the freeze-dried strawberries in a meals processor or blender and pulse till you get a high-quality, vibrant pink powder. Put aside.
2. In a big mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter collectively utilizing a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium-high velocity for about 2–3 minutes till fully clean, pale, and fluffy. Scrape down the edges of the bowl as wanted.
3. Add the bottom freeze-dried strawberry powder and vanilla extract. Combine on low velocity till integrated, then enhance to medium and beat for an additional minute.
4. With the mixer on low, progressively add the sifted powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing till every addition is totally integrated earlier than including extra.
5. Add a pinch of salt and blend on medium-high velocity for two minutes till gentle and fluffy. If the frosting is simply too thick, add heavy cream one tablespoon at a time. If too skinny, add a bit extra powdered sugar.
6. Style and regulate — add extra powdered sugar for sweetness or extra strawberry powder for additional berry taste.

Notes

Freeze-dried strawberries are key — contemporary or frozen berries add an excessive amount of moisture and may make the frosting runny. Room temperature cream cheese and butter are important to keep away from a lumpy texture. This frosting will be made as much as 3 days forward and saved in an hermetic container within the fridge; re-whip briefly earlier than utilizing. For cleaner piping, chill the frosting for 20–half-hour earlier than adorning. Frosted muffins and cupcakes must be refrigerated and can hold for as much as 4 days.