If you adore a frosting that balances rich cream cheese tanginess with fresh, fruity sweetness, you are going to fall head over heels for this Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. This luscious treat blends real strawberry preserves with smooth cream cheese and butter, creating a dreamy, velvety frosting that’s perfect for brightening up cupcakes, cakes, or even your favorite baked goods. The vibrant pink color and fresh strawberry flavor make it as beautiful as it is delicious, turning every bite into a celebration of fresh fruit and creamy indulgence.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe lies in its simplicity. Every ingredient plays a crucial role, whether it’s building creaminess, sweetness, or that unmistakable fresh strawberry flavor and color. You’ll love how straightforward it is to gather these pantry-friendly essentials and watch them transform into something spectacular.
- 1 cup chopped fresh strawberries: These fresh berries provide the natural fruitiness and a vibrant color that sets this frosting apart.
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar: Helps the strawberries break down into a luscious jam, adding subtle sweetness.
- 8 tablespoons (4 ounces) unsalted butter, room temperature: Adds richness and creates the perfect creamy texture.
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature: Gives the frosting its characteristic tang and smooth body.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the strawberry flavor and adds a warm, aromatic note.
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting to the ideal consistency for spreading or piping.
How to Make Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Cook Down the Strawberries
Start by combining your fresh chopped strawberries, granulated sugar, and a splash of water in a small saucepan. Cook this mixture over medium-low heat, stirring every few minutes, allowing the fruit to soften and transform into a thick, jam-like consistency. This process can take around 20 to 30 minutes, but patience is key for capturing the full depth of fresh strawberry flavor without any bitterness.
Step 2: Cool the Strawberry Mixture
Once the strawberries have cooked down into a thick preserve, scrape the mixture into a bowl and allow it to cool completely. This step is important to ensure that when you add it to your frosting base, it doesn’t melt the butter or cream cheese, preserving that perfect creamy texture.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Cream Cheese
While the strawberry mixture cools, use an electric mixer to beat together the softened butter and cream cheese. Whip until the mixture is luxuriously creamy and smooth. This creates the luscious base of the frosting, setting the stage for that irresistible texture.
Step 4: Add Strawberry Mixture and Vanilla
Next, beat in the cooled strawberry preserves and the vanilla extract. The strawberry paste imparts a vivid pink hue and the unmistakable fresh berry taste, while the vanilla adds a lovely aromatic balance.
Step 5: Incorporate the Powdered Sugar
Finally, gradually stream in the powdered sugar while continuing to beat the frosting. This ensures it stays smooth and silky, with just the right balance of sweetness and firmness to frost cupcakes, cakes, or any dessert you choose. The result is a frosting that is both visually stunning and bursting with flavor.
How to Serve Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
Elevate your frosted treats with fresh strawberry slices, edible flowers, or a light dusting of crushed freeze-dried strawberries. These garnishes complement the flavors and add a beautiful finishing touch that catches the eye.
Side Dishes
This frosting shines best alongside subtly flavored baked goods like vanilla cupcakes, simple pound cakes, or buttery shortbread cookies. The creamy and fruity frosting perfectly balances the mild sweetness of these sides without overpowering them.
Creative Ways to Present
Try using this Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe as a filling between layers of a light sponge cake or swirl it gently into a classic cheesecake for a fun fruity twist. You can also pipe it onto mini tarts or breakfast scones for a delightful surprise any time of day.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Before using it again, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes and give it a quick stir to restore that creamy consistency.
Freezing
This frosting freezes beautifully. Portion it into a freezer-safe bag or container, and store for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature and whip lightly before spreading or piping.
Reheating
If your frosting feels too firm after refrigeration or freezing, simply let it warm gently at room temperature. Avoid heating it directly as this can cause separation. A gentle stir or quick whip with a mixer will refresh its creamy texture in no time.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe?
Frozen strawberries can be used if fresh ones aren’t available, but be sure to thaw and drain them well before cooking to avoid excess water, which can thin the frosting.
Is it necessary to cook the strawberries?
Cooking the strawberries helps concentrate their flavor and reduces moisture, which is essential for a smooth, spreadable frosting that isn’t runny.
Can I make this frosting dairy-free?
This recipe relies on both cream cheese and butter for texture and taste, so substituting with dairy-free alternatives is possible but may change the frosting’s consistency and flavor.
How long does the frosting take to make?
While the cooking process takes about 20 to 30 minutes, the overall prep time including mixing is around 35 minutes, making this frosting well worth the effort.
Can I adjust the sweetness?
Absolutely! If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the powdered sugar slightly, but keep in mind it also contributes to the frosting’s structure.
Final Thoughts
Once you try this Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe, you’ll wonder how you ever frosted your cakes and cupcakes without it. The beautiful balance of sweet, tangy, and fresh flavors combined with a creamy, dreamy texture will quickly make it a go-to favorite in your baking repertoire. Don’t hesitate—get those fresh strawberries ready and bring this delightful frosting to life. Your desserts will thank you!
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Description
This luscious Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting combines fresh strawberries cooked down into a thick, jam-like preserve with smooth cream cheese and butter. Sweetened with powdered sugar and flavored with vanilla, it’s a creamy, fruity frosting perfect for cupcakes, cakes, or as a delicious spread. The frosting has a balanced sweetness and a fresh strawberry flavor that adds a delightful twist to classic cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
Strawberry Jam Mixture
- 1 cup chopped fresh strawberries
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- Splash of water
Frosting
- 8 tablespoons (4 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Cook Strawberries: Combine the chopped fresh strawberries, granulated sugar, and a splash of water in a small saucepan. Place the pan over medium-low heat and cook, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking and burning. Reduce the mixture until it thickens to about 1/4 cup, resembling a thick jam or preserves. This process takes around 20-30 minutes, lowering the heat as necessary and adding more water if it starts to dry out.
- Cool Strawberry Mixture: Remove the strawberry jam from the saucepan and transfer it to a separate bowl. Allow the mixture to cool completely before proceeding to the next step.
- Beat Butter and Cream Cheese: Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat the room temperature butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Add Strawberry Mixture and Vanilla: Incorporate the cooled strawberry preserves and vanilla extract into the butter and cream cheese mixture. Continue beating until everything is evenly combined.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Slowly stream in the powdered sugar while beating the frosting. Continue mixing until the frosting is smooth, creamy, and lump-free.
- Use or Store: Use this strawberry cream cheese frosting immediately on cupcakes, in between cake layers, or spoon into a plastic storage bag for freezing. It can be frozen for up to 3 months and thawed before use.
Notes
- Ensure the butter and cream cheese are at room temperature for smooth, lump-free frosting.
- Cook the strawberries slowly over low heat to prevent burning and achieve a thick, jam-like consistency.
- Add powdered sugar gradually to control the frosting’s sweetness and texture.
- This frosting pairs wonderfully with vanilla or chocolate cakes and cupcakes.
- For a smoother texture, you can strain the cooked strawberry mixture before adding it to the frosting to remove seeds.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and re-whip before using.
