Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting

🕒 Prep: 10 min
🔥 Cook:
🍽 Serves: 12
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If you're looking to elevate your baked goods, this Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting is your ticket to success. It's rich, creamy, and infused with the aromatic allure of vanilla bean paste, making it an ideal topping for everything from cakes to cookies.

Ingredients for Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting

Butter: The foundation of our frosting, providing a rich and creamy base. Make sure it's softened for easier mixing.

Cream cheese: Adds a slight tanginess and helps achieve that smooth, luscious texture we love in a frosting.

Confectioners' sugar: Sweetens the frosting without the grittiness of regular sugar. It also helps thicken the mixture.

Vanilla bean paste: This is the star ingredient that gives the frosting its distinctive, deep vanilla flavor. Using paste instead of extract adds those lovely little specks of vanilla bean.

Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and enhance the overall flavor.

Milk: Adjusts the frosting’s consistency, making it spreadable or pipeable as needed.

Tips & Tricks

  • Always start with softened butter and cream cheese to avoid lumps in your frosting.
  • If you don't have vanilla bean paste, use vanilla extract and scrape a vanilla bean for those lovely flecks.
  • Chill your frosting for about 15 minutes if it becomes too soft to pipe.
  • For a fluffier texture, whip the frosting for a few extra minutes at the end.

Serving Suggestions

This frosting pairs beautifully with carrot cake, red velvet cupcakes, or a simple vanilla sponge. Consider using it as a filling for sandwich cookies or as a topping for cinnamon rolls to add a delightful twist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this frosting ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare it a day in advance. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge and give it a quick whip before using.
Can I freeze the frosting?
You can freeze it for up to three months. Allow it to thaw in the fridge and whip it again to restore its texture.
What if I don't have a stand mixer?
A hand mixer will work just as well! It might take a bit longer, but the results will be just as tasty.

Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe Walkthrough

Start with a large mixing bowl and your softened butter. Beat it on medium speed until it's smooth and creamy. This might take a couple of minutes, but it's crucial for the base of your frosting.

Now, add in the cream cheese. Beat these two together until they're fully combined and fluffy. You should see a nice, light mixture forming.

Next up, gradually incorporate the confectioners' sugar, adding about one cup at a time. Beat well after each addition. This helps avoid any sugar explosions and ensures a smooth frosting.

Once the sugar is all in, stir in the vanilla bean paste and salt. Mix until everything is well incorporated, and you see those beautiful vanilla specks throughout the frosting.

If you find the frosting a bit too thick, add milk one tablespoon at a time. Mix until you reach your desired consistency. You want it to be spreadable yet firm enough to hold its shape when piped.

Your frosting is now ready to spread or pipe onto cooled baked goods. Enjoy the delightful vanilla aroma as you work!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Velvety smooth texture that's easy to spread or pipe.
  • Intense vanilla flavor thanks to real vanilla bean paste.
  • Perfect balance of sweetness with a hint of tang from the cream cheese.
  • Easy to customize for any baking project.

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
8 oz cream cheese (softened)
4 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tsp vanilla bean paste
1/8 tsp salt
2 tbsp milk

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy.
2. Add the cream cheese and beat together until fully combined and fluffy.
3. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition until smooth.
4. Stir in the vanilla bean paste and salt, and mix until well incorporated.
5. If necessary, add milk one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is achieved.
6. Spread or pipe onto cooled baked goods as desired.

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