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    El Mundo Eats » Basic

    Published: Aug 1, 2020 · Modified: Aug 8, 2022 by Bea & Marco · This post may contain affiliate links · 33 Comments

    Summer Cream Cheese Frosting

    Jump to Recipe

    Frostings and summer don't seem to match that good without any headaches, right? Who agrees with me?

    Well, fret no more I say. This summer cream cheese frosting will relief you of those headaches.

    Yes.

    Summer Frosting

    It's extremely hot in the summer where I live. Very. Extremely. Hot. I try to avoid doing frosted cakes during the summer. Why?

    frosting a cake with cream cheese frosting

    Oh don't even get me started. The typical frosting will literally start melting as I frost the cakes, no matter how fast I try to frost them. And it also doesn't hold long enough for me to proudly display the beautifully (in my opinion) frosted cakes to the guests before serving.

    Do you have similar experience?

    But yeah, sometimes the heart wants what the heart (or tummy?) wants. Right? And it wants frosted cake in the summer!

    And comes in this summer frosting. Pardon me, it's summer cream cheese frosting. And I love it!

    cream cheese frosting ingredients

    What do I love about it?

    • It's with cream cheese! Super yum!
    • It has way less sugar compared to other typical frosting. I don't like the humongous amount of powdered sugar in a frosting just for the reason to make it set or hard. The frosting ends up tasting extremely sweet. No.
    • Has no butter at all. Don't get me wrong, I love the taste of butter (who doesn't?) but butter and summer equals to disaster.
    • Uses a simple thickener or stabilizer, which is gelatine. Just a small amount really helps to set and helps the frosting hold.
    • I can take my time and frost my summer cakes without some ninja action going on.

    Tips On Making Cream Cheese Frosting

    Not that you need any but here are some:

    • Make sure the cream cheese is full fat. Yes, the fat will help it hold its shape.
    • Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature. Easier for mixing.
    • Sift your powdered sugar. Always, please.
    • Make sure your whipping cream is with at least 35% fat and have it chilling in the fridge overnight (preferably).
    • Chill your frosting for 20 minutes in the fridge before using. This will make it easier to use.
    berry cake filled with cream cheese frosting

    Can I Use This Frosting For Piping?

    Yes! And that's how this recipe came to be in the first place, to be used for piping. 

    As you can see, it's sturdy and hold its shape. This is my go-to summer frosting. Give it a try!

    Looking For More Frostings?

    Check these out:

    • White buttercream frosting
    • Healthy chocolate frosting

    Watch How To Make Cream Cheese Frosting

    frosting a cake with cream cheese frosting

    Summer Cream Cheese Frosting

    Perfect frosting for the summer heat! It has way less sugar than other typical frostings and is more stable, meaning no super rushing while frosting. Super great and delicious!
    Author: Bea & Marco
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Servings: 4 cups (more or less)
    Prep Time20 mins
    Chilling Time20 mins
    Total Time40 mins

    Ingredients  

    • 16 oz full fat cream cheese (450 g), room temperature
    • ⅔ cup powdered sugar (80 g), sifted
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 teaspoon powdered gelatine (7 g)
    • 1 ½ tablespoon water
    • 1 cup whipping cream, min 35% fat (250 ml), chilled
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Add cream cheese into a bowl and whisk until fluffy, using a handheld mixer. Now add in powdered sugar and vanilla, continue mixing and then set aside.
    • In a small bowl, add powdered gelatine and water. Leave for 5 minutes for the gelatine to bloom. Then heat in microwave on low heat for a few seconds at a time, until the gelatine is fully dissolved.
    • Add around 1 tbsp, more or less, of cream cheese mixture into the gelatine bowl and mix well using a spoon. Now pour the mixture back into the cream cheese mixture and immediately mix everything together. Set aside.
    • In another bowl, whisk whipping cream until stiff peaks. Pour into cream cheese mixture and fold gently using a spatula until everything is well combined.
    • Chill in the fridge for 20 minutes for it to set a bit before frosting. Give it a mix before using. This frosting will set in time so don't leave it in the fridge for too long. Happy frosting!

    Notes

    • This frosting will generously frost 2 layer cakes of 8 inch (20cm) or 9 inch (23cm).
    • Use spoon and level method for measuring powdered sugar (if using cup measurement).

    Nutrition Facts

    Serving: 1cup, Calories: 702.6kcal, Carbohydrates: 29.3g, Protein: 10.5g, Fat: 61.7g, Saturated Fat: 37.4g, Cholesterol: 185.6mg, Sodium: 377.8mg, Potassium: 211.7mg, Sugar: 26.9g, Calcium: 153.1mg, Iron: 0.2mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @elmundoeats and tag #elmundoeats!

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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Maria says

      July 31, 2022 at 7:20 pm

      I used this recipe for my son's birthday in 85 degree, >85% humidity heat and the frosting held for several hours! I frosted my cupcakes the night before the party and used sprinkles (applied right after frosting) and refrigerated them overnight. I was worried about the quantity of icing at first since I ended up baking 15 cupcakes, but I had so much left over after applying a basic piped swirl (as opposed to the giant mountains of icing that is on many professional cupcakes)

      Reply
    2. Michelle says

      June 24, 2022 at 9:51 pm

      Hello, can I make I frost my cake with this frosting and refrigerate overnight? Or do you recommend frosting same day?

      Reply
      • Bea says

        June 27, 2022 at 11:07 am

        Hi! I'd recommend you to frost it on the same day. Hope it helps!

        Reply
    3. Chondra says

      May 31, 2022 at 7:24 am

      Howdy! I’d like to make this frosting for my kids outdoor summer party. We are having a cupcake bar where guests can add their own sprinkles. Will the sprinkles stick to the frosting once its set?

      Reply
      • Bea says

        June 03, 2022 at 11:09 am

        Hi! I don't think (better be safe than sorry!) that this will be the right texture for the sprinkles to stick on since it'll set in time. Sorry though!

        Reply
    4. Susan says

      May 28, 2022 at 2:14 am

      Thank you

      Reply
    5. Susan says

      May 27, 2022 at 9:07 am

      How many cupcakes can this recipe frost

      Reply
      • Bea says

        May 27, 2022 at 11:29 am

        This can frost 12 cupcakes. Hope it helps.

        Reply
    6. Holly says

      May 15, 2022 at 12:06 am

      Is this ok to frost my cupcakes the night before, or would it be better to do them the day of? Thanks again. Excited to try!

      Reply
      • Bea says

        May 21, 2022 at 10:36 am

        Sorry for the late response, we're out of the office at the moment. Regarding the frosting, I'd recommend you to frost it the day of (since the frosting has gelatine, if you wait it'll set). Hope it helps!

        Reply
    7. Maria says

      April 28, 2022 at 5:21 am

      Can I use a standalone mixer instead of a handheld? Thx

      Reply
      • Bea says

        April 29, 2022 at 10:13 am

        Yes you can, Maria 😊.

        Reply
    8. Maria says

      April 24, 2022 at 8:32 am

      Hi. Question: can I make the frosting and leave in fridge or on counter and use the next day to frost cake?

      Reply
      • Bea says

        April 24, 2022 at 4:19 pm

        Hi Maria! No, the frosting needs to be used immediately before it sets, since it has gelatine. Hope it helps.

        Reply
        • Maria says

          April 27, 2022 at 8:11 am

          Yes thank you it does.

          Reply
    9. Nayeli says

      August 03, 2021 at 8:36 pm

      Hello! I was wondering if I could use Beef gelatin?

      Reply
    10. Nicolette says

      July 11, 2021 at 7:58 pm

      Hi there,
      So if I wanted this frosting to be a bit stiffer would you suggest more gelatin or more powdered sugar?

      Thanks!

      Reply
    11. Angela says

      June 17, 2021 at 11:44 pm

      Hi! Thanks for this recipe! One question though.... I'd like to cover my cake with fondant. Can I use this frosting?

      Reply
      • Bea says

        June 18, 2021 at 11:59 am

        Hi Angela! Honestly I haven't worked with fondant before so I can't really say if it's suitable or not. Sorry!

        Reply
    12. Heidi Romero says

      June 14, 2021 at 2:52 pm

      5 stars
      I made this frosting to use on cupcakes for my daughter’s birthday party, which was outside in Florida in June. It was close to 100 degrees and the frosting held up like a champ! Not to mention it was absolutely delicious and I got many compliments on it. Thank you so much for this recipe!

      Reply
      • Bea says

        June 14, 2021 at 10:46 pm

        Hi Heidi! I'm super happy to hear that 🙌! Yes, the frosting is heat proof, right 😁? Thank you so much for your feedback!

        Reply
    13. Reem says

      May 07, 2021 at 3:53 am

      Hello Bea, I was wondering how long this would last in the fridge? I’m a bit concerned because whipped cream on its’ own usually doesn’t last as long as cream cheese frosting made with butter.

      Reply
      • Bea says

        May 07, 2021 at 12:22 pm

        Hi Reem! I'd say it lasts max 3-4 days in the fridge. Hope it helps! 😁

        Reply
    14. Maria says

      April 04, 2021 at 9:50 pm

      Hi Bea, I’ve tried this frosting last summer and it was amazing! I just wanted to know if I can put food coloring this time?

      Reply
      • Bea says

        April 05, 2021 at 10:19 am

        Hi Maria! Yes, of course.

        Reply
    15. Melinda says

      December 14, 2020 at 8:51 pm

      Hi Bea, thanks for sharing this recipe! I tested the stability of the frosting by piping a small amount into a bowl and putting it directly onto my radiator. After more than 30 minutes, the frosting didn't melt and held its shape! However, I had some leftovers that I kept in the fridge overnight. The next day, it looked like the whipped cream and cream cheese had separated. The top of the container had what looked like a whipped cream, and the bottom of the container had a gelatinous soupy consistency. I'm wondering if this has happened to you, or if there's something I did wrong in the mixing process? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Bea says

        December 15, 2020 at 11:27 am

        Hi Melinda! No that never happened to me though. I had the frosted cake in the fridge for several days and the frosting didn't release liquid or separated. Trying to think what it could be. Maybe yours wasn't mixed enough?

        Reply
        • Melinda says

          December 16, 2020 at 2:03 am

          Yeah, that could have been it. Maybe I was too careful when mixing the cream cheese and whipped cream together. How long does it take for yours to combine?

          Reply
          • Bea says

            December 17, 2020 at 9:45 am

            It took quite a bit but no more than 5 minutes, I think. Hope you'll give it another go 🙂

            Reply
    16. Ai says

      November 23, 2020 at 11:29 pm

      Hi Bea, I tried this frosting and it was amazing! Now I’m just wondering if I could add cocoa powder to make chocolate cream cheese frosting?

      Reply
      • Bea says

        November 24, 2020 at 10:08 am

        Hi! I haven't tried it but I don't see why not. Hope it helps and glad that you liked it!

        Reply
    17. Lucia K says

      October 18, 2020 at 4:51 pm

      5 stars
      Hello Bea, I just want to leave a comment saying that this frosting is my favourite compared to the ones that I have tried. I love it because it is not very sweet and it doesn't melt.
      Thank you. God bless.

      Reply
      • Bea says

        October 19, 2020 at 10:20 am

        Hi Lucia, that's exactly why I like this frosting so much too. Happy to know you enjoy it. Thanks for the feedback!

        Reply

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    Bea and Marco from El Mundo Eats

    Hi! We're Bea & Marco, the married couple behind this food space. I cook, he takes photos & videos. Malaysian & Argentine living in Spain. All eaters welcome!

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