No Butter Cream Cheese Frosting (4 Ingredients)
This no butter cream cheese frosting is smooth, tangy, and made with just four simple ingredients. If you’re wondering whether you can make cream cheese frosting without butter — the answer is yes. This version is softer and lighter than traditional butter-based frosting and perfect for spreading on cakes, cupcakes, and cinnamon rolls.
Sometimes you simply don’t want butter in your frosting — or you don’t have any on hand. This version relies entirely on full-fat cream cheese for structure, giving you a creamy, slightly softer frosting with a clean tangy flavor.
Why is this the best frosting recipe?
- Made completely without butter
- Only 4 ingredients
- Quick 10-minute recipe
- Lighter texture than traditional cream cheese frosting
- Perfect for spreading and filling cakes
Ingredients for Cream Cheese Frosting Without Butter
- Full-fat brick cream cheese – Do not use low-fat or spreadable tub versions. Full fat gives structure.
- Powdered sugar – Sifted to prevent lumps and ensure smooth texture.
- Vanilla extract – For flavor depth.
- Salt – Balances sweetness and enhances the tang.
That’s it. No butter. No heavy cream. No mascarpone.
Step-by-step: How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting Without Butter
- Beat softened full-fat cream cheese until completely smooth.
- Add sifted powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt.
- Mix on low until combined, then increase slightly until creamy and smooth.
- Use immediately or refrigerate for 20–30 minutes if you prefer a firmer consistency.
Flavor Variations
This frosting can be easily flavored. Keep additions minimal to maintain structure.
- Citrus – Add 1 teaspoon lemon or orange zest.
- Spiced – Mix in ½ teaspoon cinnamon or pumpkin spice.
- Chocolate – Add 2 tablespoons sifted cocoa powder.
- Berry – Stir in 1–2 tablespoons freeze-dried berry powder.
What’s the Difference Between Butter and No-Butter Cream Cheese Frosting?
- Butter Version – If you need a more stable frosting for decorating or fondant-covered cakes, try my stable cream cheese frosting here.
- Thicker and more stable
- Better for piping sharp designs
- Suitable under fondant
- No Butter Version (this recipe)
- Softer texture
- Lighter mouthfeel
- More tang-forward flavor
- Best for spreading and filling
Pro Tips for Cream cheese frosting without butter
- Use Full-Fat Cream Cheese – Low-fat versions contain more water and will make the frosting loose.
- Do Not Overmix – Whip just until smooth. Overmixing can break the structure and make it runny.
- Sift the Powdered Sugar – Prevents lumps and ensures a smooth finish.
- Chill When Needed – If the frosting feels soft, refrigerate for 20–30 minutes before using.
Troubleshooting No-butter cream cheese frosting
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Too runny | Overmixed or too warm | Chill 20–30 minutes |
| Too thick | Too much sugar | Add 1 tsp milk at a time |
| Grainy | Unsifted sugar | Sift sugar next time |
How to use this no-butter cream cheese frosting?
- Stuffed Cookies: Make cookie sandwiches by spreading cream cheese frosting between two cookies. Use oatmeal, chocolate chip, or sugar cookies for delicious combinations.
- Doughnuts: Fill doughnuts with cream cheese frosting for a delightful surprise. Dip the doughnuts in a glaze or roll them in cinnamon sugar for added flavor.
- Cinnamon Rolls: Spread cream cheese frosting over warm cinnamon rolls for a decadent twist on a classic treat. Add chopped nuts or raisins for extra texture.
- Pancakes or Waffles: Instead of traditional syrup, use cream cheese frosting to top pancakes or waffles. Add fresh berries or a drizzle of honey for extra sweetness.
- Desserts: Use cream cheese frosting as a layer in desserts like trifles or parfaits. Alternate layers of cake, fruit, and frosting for a stunning presentation. Can you imagine cinnamon rolls without cream cheese? The same goes for pastries such as cream puffs, profiteroles, Danish pastries, and puff pastry desserts like Mille Feuille.
- Layer cakes – Red velvet cake, carrot cake, or pumpkin cake are, of course, popular with cream cheese, and for a good reason. Perfect frosting for sheet cakes whether you use chocolate cake or vanilla sheet cake.
- Stuffed French Toast: Spread cream cheese frosting between two slices of French toast for a deliciously indulgent breakfast or brunch option.
- White Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
- Bakery Style Vanilla or Chocolate Frosting
- Best Coffee Buttercream Frosting
- Caramel or Butterscotch Buttercream Frosting
- 30 + Buttercream Recipes – FrostingSee all frosting recipes
Frequently asked questions
You must use cream cheese with at least 38% fat or more. Cream cheese is not an extra ingredient here, so the powdered sugar must be mixed with the fat in the cream cheese to give us that light, fluffy texture.
Yes. Cream cheese and powdered sugar naturally create a smooth frosting without needing butter. The result is softer than traditional versions but perfect for spreading.
You can pipe simple swirls, but it won’t hold sharp decorative edges like butter-based frosting.
It may be overmixed, too warm, or made with low-fat cream cheese. Chill briefly to firm it up.
You can pipe simple swirls, but it won’t hold sharp decorative edges like butter-based frosting.
Always room temperature. This will give you a smooth texture. Cold ingredients will give you lumpy cream cheese and very sweet frosting because it has not been emulsified enough.
NO!! This frosting is not brand-sensitive but rather fat percentage-sensitive, meaning it must contain at least 38% fat. Of course, the cream cheese has to be unflavored so it does not influence the final flavor of the frosting.
Cream cheese is a perishable product like milk, yogurt, or whipped cream. Hence, it must be treated with the same courtesy.
Similarly, like whipped cream, cream cheese becomes fluffy and a lot of air is incorporated into the frosting. Yet, over time, it loses its volume when kept outside, especially in warmer climates.
No Butter Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
This no butter cream cheese frosting is light, fluffy and melts in the mouth just like whipped cream. A simple, easy and effortless recipe that gets done in less than 10 minutes. Perfect for cupcakes or your favorite carrot cake recipe.
Ingredients
- 450 g (2 cups) Cream cheese
- 250 g (2 cups) Powdered sugar
- ½ tsp Kosher salt
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
Method
- In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.450 g Cream cheese
- Add powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla extract, and beat until well combined and smooth.250 g Powdered sugar, ½ tsp Kosher salt, 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- Use immediately or refrigerate until ready to use. Allow the frosting to come to room temperature before frosting your cake or cupcakes.
Notes
Equipment you will need
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
Mention @veenaazmanov_kitchen or tag #veenaazmanovkitchen!- Italian Meringue or Swiss Meringue Buttercream
- French Buttercream or How to make German Buttercream
- American Buttercream, or Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
- Ermine Frosting (Less Sweet), Eggnog Buttercream Frosting
Pastry Day 12 DONE
Pastry Day 12 DONE
Pastry day 12 done
Pastry Day 12 – DONE
Hi Veena! I just made your strawberry filling to put between the layers of my fiancee’s birthday cake. Is this no butter cc frosting going to work to keep the filling in or should I go with the classic cc buttercream? I don’t have the heavy cream called for in the classic recipe which is why I was interested in this no butter version. If I need to use the classic cc buttercream, is there something I could substitute for the heavy cream? I am trying to avoid a trip to the store but will go if necessary. I am really enjoying exploring your site by the way! It is lovely ❤
Hey Heather. You can use the no butter cream cheese frosting as a dam for the strawberry filling. As long as the cream cheese is full fat it should stable enough to hold the filling.
You can use milk instead of cream in the classic buttercream.
Happy birthday to your fiance.
Thank you so much for your quick reply Veena! I really appreciate it and your kind birthday wishes for my fiance! I will report back on the final results! Xoxo
pastry Day 12 Done
How long can I leave this out at a party? Planning on using your delisuous recipes for a baby shower cupcakes I’m doing but we have an hour drive to the event. Will they last till the end of the baby shower?
Shower is in mid Feb in Missouri.
Piper. It really depends on the climate. If the weather is cold then you can leave it out for longer than an hour but if it’s hot and humid then it won’t stay long.
How long can I keep this light Frosting in the freezer?
I belive you can keep it for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight works best for consistency.
Week 2 Day 3 done.
Hi Veena, I made the above recipe and it turned out soupy. Cream cheese is full fat. Should I add more icing sugar? Thanks
Why is it soupy Diane? Is the cream cheese melted? There is 1 lb powdered sugar in there and only 2 tbsp of whipping cream so it should not be soupy. Can you chill for a few minutes until almost set then whip again?
No it wasn’t melted. Softened at room temperature about 1 hour. I put it in the fridge a couple of hours, but probably won’t be able to pipe anything. Oh well, it still tasted good.
Dorry Diane. Not sure what happened. But if the cream cheese if full fat it should whip just like whipped cream along with the powdered sugar.
Hi , would you recommend making cream cheese at home ? Is it any different from the store bought one ?
I have not tried homemade cream cheese. As long as you drain the cream cheese well it should be ok
Looks exciting since there’s no butter. Should the cream cheese be whipped or block style. Also, would I be able to use dairy free (Tofutti) cream cheese. One more question, should the whipping cream be thawed or whipped. I usually by frozen whipping cream that you can defrost and then whip.
Also forgot to add, can I use this to frost a layer cake?
Hey Chana. I use dairy cream cheese by the block cooler than room temperature, not cold or warm.
Whipping cream must be chilled well, not frozen or warm otherwise it will not whip. Yes, you can use this to frost a layer cake. Thanks.