Cream Cheese Frosting

Makes: Enough frosting and filling for one 9-inch layer cake or 2 dozen cupcakes

Time: About 15 minutes

F

A classic partner for Carrot Cake (page 696). Cream cheese lends tang and brightness that balances any sugary, heavily spiced, or dark-chocolaty cake.

• 1 pound cream cheese
• 12 tablespoons (1½ sticks) butter, softened
• 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1. Use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the butter and beat until incorporated and smooth, another 3 minutes.
2. Continue to beat as you add the sugar gradually, about a cup at a time, until the frosting is smooth and well combined. Add the vanilla and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

Lemony Cream Cheese Frosting Cream cheese and citrus complement each other brilliantly: Beat 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest into the cream cheese and butter mixture. Add 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice with the vanilla.