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–+ servings
Cinnamon cream cheese frosting with smooth creamy texture and warm cinnamon flavor

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

This cinnamon cream cheese frosting is rich, smooth and full of warm cinnamon flavour, with just enough tang from the cream cheese to keep it from tasting overly sweet. It works especially well on cinnamon cupcakes, spice cake, pumpkin cake, carrot cake and apple desserts, and the texture is easy to adjust depending on whether you want a softer spreadable frosting or something firmer for piping.
It is one of those simple frosting recipes that tastes far better than the short ingredient list suggests. Creamy, cozy and easy to make — definitely one worth keeping for fall baking and beyond.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Dessert, Frosting
Cuisine American
Servings 12 cupcakes with a generous swirl
Calories 365 kcal

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Rubber spatula
  • Fine-mesh sieve, optional, for lump-free icing sugar
  • Piping bag and piping tip, optional, for decorating cupcakes or cakes

Ingredients
  

  • ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 115 g cream cheese slightly softened
  • 3–3½ cups icing sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • 1-2 tablespoons whipping cream only if needed
  • Ground cinnamon for dusting, optional

Instructions
 

  • Beat the softened butter on medium-high speed for about 2 minutes, until smooth, creamy and slightly fluffy.
  • Add the cream cheese and beat just until fully combined and smooth. Avoid overbeating, as cream cheese frosting can become too soft.
  • Add 3 cups of icing sugar, the cinnamon, vanilla and salt. Beat on low speed until combined, then increase to medium speed and beat until creamy.
  • If you want a firmer frosting for piping, gradually add the remaining ½ cup icing sugar until the desired consistency is reached.
  • If the frosting is too thick, beat in whipping cream 1 tablespoon at a time, using only as much as needed.
  • Frost completely cooled cupcakes or cake. Lightly dust with additional ground cinnamon if desired.
    • For the best cinnamon cream cheese frosting, beat the butter until light and fluffy before adding the cream cheese. This helps create a smooth, creamy frosting that is easier to spread or pipe onto cupcakes and cakes.

Notes

  • For the best cinnamon cream cheese frosting, use softened butter and cream cheese so everything blends smoothly without lumps.
  • Beat the butter first until light and creamy before adding the cream cheese. This helps give the frosting a softer, fluffier texture.
  • Do not overbeat the cream cheese. Too much mixing can make cream cheese frosting become loose and difficult to pipe.
  • Start with 3 cups of icing sugar and add more only if needed. For a firmer cinnamon frosting for cupcakes, use the full 3½ cups.
  • If the frosting becomes too thick, add whipping cream 1 tablespoon at a time until it reaches the consistency you want.
  • If the frosting is too soft for piping, add a little more icing sugar or chill it for 15–20 minutes before decorating.
  • Make sure cupcakes and cakes are completely cool before frosting. Warm cake can cause the cinnamon cream cheese frosting to soften or melt.
  • For extra cinnamon flavour, lightly dust the finished frosting with ground cinnamon just before serving.
  • This easy homemade frosting is especially good with cinnamon cupcakes, carrot cake, pumpkin cake, spice cake and apple desserts.
  • Store leftover frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Let it soften slightly at room temperature before using again.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 365kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 1gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 57mgPotassium: 20mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 59gVitamin A: 502IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 0.1mg
Keyword cinnamon cream cheese frosting, cream cheese frosting with cinnamon, easy cinnamon frosting, homemade cream cheese frosting, recipe
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