Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

 

close up shot of Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting on a cupcake
Strawberry cream cheese frosting is sweet, fruity, and slightly tangy. This yummy frosting is perfect for giving cakes and cupcakes a fresh strawberry flavor.
Jump to Recipe
Table of Contents
  1. Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients
  2. Substitutions and Additions
  3. How to Make This Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
  4. How to Serve
  5. Storage
  6. Frequently Asked Questions
  7. More Recipes You’ll Love
  8. JUMP TO RECIPE

Strawberry cream cheese frosting is creamy, fruity, and slightly tangy. This indulgent strawberry frosting is made with fresh strawberries to create a thick pink frosting that is perfect for cakes or cupcakes.  

If you love strawberry desserts you’ll want to make Strawberry Cake, Strawberry Cake Roll, or Strawberry Lemon Cupcakes.

close up shot of Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting on a cupcake

Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients

Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting raw ingredients that are labeled

You will need:

  • 1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 cup salted butter, softened
  • 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 5 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Substitutions and Additions

FLAVOR: You could also use other fresh berries to create a different flavor of frosting. Try making raspberry cream cheese frosting with a fresh raspberry puree reduction. 

How to Make This Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

PRO TIP: Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature so that you don’t end up with lumps in your creamy frosting. 

For the Strawberry Puree Reduction 

STEP ONE: In a 2-quart saucepan, heat the chopped strawberries over medium heat. Bring the strawberry mixture to a boil and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar.

diced strawberries and sugar in a pot

STEP TWO: Use a potato masher to break down the strawberries as they cook. You want them to be as finely pureed as possible. Continue simmering, stirring frequently, until nearly all liquid has evaporated.

strawberries and sugar mixture mashed in a pot

STEP THREE: Cook for about 10 minutes total until the puree has reduced by half. You will have ½ cup of strawberry puree when done.

STEP FOUR: Remove the puree reduction from the heat and cool to room temperature in the refrigerator before preparing the frosting.

strawberries mixture being cooked in a pot

For the Frosting

PRO TIP: This is a softer frosting. It will work well for frosting cupcakes or cakes. Basic piping with open tip 1A or star tip 1M is shown here. Detailed piping is more suitable with stiffer frosting.

STEP FIVE: Beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy.

cream cheese and butter blended in a bowl

STEP SIX: Add in vanilla extract and beat until combined.

vanilla extract blended in a bowl with the cream cheese mixture

STEP SEVEN: Beat in 5 cups of powdered sugar, working in batches to reduce spillage.

powder sugar blended in a bowl with the cream cheese mixture

STEP EIGHT: Beat in the cooled strawberry puree reduction.

PRO TIP: The beauty of this frosting is that you can make it in advance and store it in the freezer until the day you are ready to use it.

strawberry puree blended in a bowl with the cream cheese mixture

How to Serve

Use this luscious strawberry cream cheese frosting to add a little bit of strawberry flavor to any cake or cupcakes. This pink frosting is perfect for a baby or bridal shower, birthdays, or any other celebration that could use a little pink. Really accentuate the strawberry flavor by using this cream cheese frosting on a strawberry cake. 

Storage

IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftover frosting in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 week. 

IN THE FREEZER: Freeze strawberry frosting for up to 1 month until you are ready to use it on top of cakes or cupcakes.

PRO TIP: To use this frosting after refrigeration or freezing, set the frosting on the counter at room temperature for an hour or so until the frosting softens. Then beat in a stand mixer or with a hand mixer until smooth and fluffy before spreading on top of the cake or cupcakes.

overhead shot of Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting in a bowl

Strawberry cream cheese frosting is a silky smooth, lip-smacking frosting that features a subtle sweetness from the fresh, juicy strawberries. A decadent choice for cakes and cupcakes, you may even be tempted to eat this frosting by the spoonful, or at least lick the bowl clean. Sweet, creamy, and tangy, you’ll want to use this frosting for your next dessert. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this frosting ahead of time? 

This strawberry frosting freezes really well and can be kept in the freezer for up to one month, ready to use when you are.

My frosting didn’t turn out as pink as I would like it to be, how can I fix this? 

If you would like your frosting to be a deeper pink color, add a drop or two of red food coloring for added color.

Can I use frozen strawberries in this frosting? 

While fresh strawberries are best, you could use frozen strawberries. We’d recommend letting them drain a bit when thawing to remove any excess liquid.

More Recipes You’ll Love

close up shot of Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting on a cupcake

Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

Strawberry cream cheese frosting is sweet, fruity, and slightly tangy. This yummy frosting is perfect for giving cakes and cupcakes a fresh strawberry flavor.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Cool Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 cup salted butter, softened
  • 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 5 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

For the Strawberry Puree Reduction

  • In a 2-quart saucepan, heat the chopped strawberries over medium heat. Bring the strawberry mixture to a boil and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar.
  • Use a potato masher to break down the strawberries as they cook. You want them to be as finely pureed as possible. Continue simmering, stirring frequently, until nearly all liquid has evaporated.
  • Cook for about 10 minutes total until the puree has reduced by half. You will have ½ cup of strawberry puree when done.
  • Remove the puree reduction from the heat and cool to room temperature in the refrigerator before preparing the frosting.

For the Frosting

  • Beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy.
  • Add in vanilla extract and beat until combined.
  • Beat in 5 cups of powdered sugar, working in batches to reduce spillage.
  • Beat in the cooled strawberry puree reduction.

Notes

  • The beauty of this frosting is that you can make it in advance and store it in the freezer until the day you are ready to use it.
  • This is a softer frosting. It will work well for frosting cupcakes or cakes. Basic piping with open tip 1A or star tip 1M is shown here. Detailed piping is more suitable with stiffer frosting.
  • Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature so that you don’t end up with lumps in your creamy frosting.
  • To use this frosting after refrigeration or freezing, set the frosting on the counter at room temperature for an hour or so until the frosting softens. Then beat in a stand mixer or with a hand mixer until smooth and fluffy before spreading on top of the cake or cupcakes.

You May Also Like

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




Comments

The Black Friday Deals

Free Membership!

Get all our new recipes straight to

your inbox plus a BONUS

download in your first email! ❤