If you’re looking for a frosting that’s both creamy and fruity, this raspberry cream cheese frosting is the one you need! It’s perfect for cakes, cupcakes, or even just spreading on a sweet treat. This frosting is easy to make, super flavorful, and adds a beautiful pop of color to your baked goods.
Whether you’re making a special cake for a birthday or just want a tasty way to top off your cupcakes, this raspberry cream cheese frosting is a crowd-pleaser. It’s a simple mix of cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and fresh raspberries – easy, right? You’ll want to make sure your cream cheese and butter are at room temperature before you start, and using a mixer will help you get that perfectly smooth, creamy texture. Let’s dive into how to frost your treats and make it!
Why You’ll Love This Raspberry Cream Cheese Frosting
Let’s be honest – raspberry cream cheese frosting is already delicious on its own, but when you add the tangy-sweet flavor of fresh raspberries, it becomes something really special. The cream cheese gives it that rich, smooth texture we all love, while the raspberries add a light, fruity kick that perfectly balances everything.
This frosting is super versatile, too. You can use it on cakes, cupcakes, or even as a filling in pastries. Plus, its soft pink color makes any dessert look extra pretty. If you’re using a mixer and powdered sugar, and making sure your ingredients are at room temperature, you’ll get the perfect creamy consistency every time. So, if you’ve been looking for a new frosting to try, this raspberry cream cheese frosting is a winner!
Recipe Overview
Here’s a quick rundown of what you need to know about this recipe:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (it’s no-bake!)
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Servings: Enough to frost about 12 cupcakes or one 9-inch cake
- Difficulty Level: Super easy
- Dietary Info: Not dairy-free, but you can adjust it for other diets if needed.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt (optional, but it balances the sweetness)
You can swap frozen raspberries for fresh ones if you like, but frozen raspberries give you more juice, which helps create the nice pink color.
Equipment
You don’t need anything fancy to make this frosting. Here’s what you’ll need:
- A mixer (handheld or stand mixer)
- A mixing bowl
- A spoon or spatula
- A sifter (optional for powdered sugar)
- A fine mesh sieve (optional if you want a smooth frosting)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Now, let’s walk through how to make this frosting step-by-step. It’s simple, so you’ll have it ready in no time!
- Prepare the fresh raspberries: If you’re using frozen raspberries, let them thaw for about 10 minutes. Mash them up with a fork to release the juice. If you’re using fresh raspberries, you can skip this step.
- Blend the cream cheese and butter: In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until it’s smooth and creamy. This will only take about 2 minutes with a hand mixer or stand mixer.
- Add the powdered sugar: Gradually sift in the powdered sugar, mixing as you go. This helps avoid any lumps and gives you a smooth frosting. Keep mixing until everything is fully combined and fluffy.
- Mix in the raspberries: Add your mashed fresh raspberries to the mixture. Stir it in until you get a nice pink color and the raspberry flavor is spread throughout. If you want more raspberry flavor, you can add a little more of the puree.
- Finish it off: Add the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt (if you want), and give everything a final mix. Taste the raspberry cream cheese frosting – if you want it a bit sweeter, feel free to add more powdered sugar.
- Use the raspberry frosting: You can now frost your cake or cupcake! If you want a firmer texture, pop the frosting in the fridge for about 30 minutes before you use it. Make sure everything is at room temperature before starting for the smoothest results.
That’s it! You’ve made yourself some creamy, fruity, raspberry goodness.
Tips
Here are a few helpful tips to make sure your frosting turns out perfect every time:
- Room temperature ingredients: Make sure the cream cheese and butter are softened before you start mixing. This helps everything blend together smoothly and gives your raspberry cream cheese frosting the perfect texture.
- Strain the fresh raspberries: If you prefer a smoother raspberry frosting, you can strain the fresh raspberries through a fine mesh sieve to remove the seeds. This step is optional, but it’ll give you a smoother finish.
- Adjust sweetness: If you like your frosting a little less sweet, start with less powdered sugar and slowly add more until it’s just right. You can always balance it out with a bit more raspberry puree.
- Make ahead: You can make this raspberry cream cheese frosting ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just let it come to room temperature and give it a quick mix with a mixer before using.
- Extra flavor: If you want to get fancy, try adding a little lemon zest or juice for a tangy twist that goes really well with the fresh raspberries. It’s perfect for topping a cake or cupcake with a bright, fruity finish.
Variations You Can Try
While raspberry cream cheese frosting is delicious as is, there are a few fun variations you can try to mix things up:
- Lemon Raspberry Frosting: Add a bit of lemon zest or lemon juice to the frosting for a fresh, citrusy flavor that pairs wonderfully with raspberries.
- Chocolate Raspberry Frosting: If you love chocolate and raspberries together, try adding a little cocoa powder to the frosting. It’ll give you a richer, more indulgent flavor.
- Boozy Frosting: For an adult twist, add a splash of raspberry liqueur or even a little bit of vodka for extra raspberry flavor and a fun kick!
Raspberry Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
One of the best ways to enjoy this raspberry frosting is by pairing it with a light and fluffy cake. Imagine biting into a soft, moist raspberry cake with raspberry cream cheese frosting – it’s the perfect combination of fruity, tangy, and creamy. Whether you’re making a vanilla cake, sponge cake, or chocolate cake, raspberry cream cheese frosting makes everything taste even better.
You can also use it as a filling for layered cakes or cupcakes. The fresh raspberries and powdered sugar in the frosting give it a naturally bright, fruity flavor that adds a refreshing twist to any dessert and makes it look super cute, too! Just remember to let everything come to room temperature before you start mixing with your mixer for the smoothest, creamiest result.
