Our lemon cream cheese frosting is an icing that’s less sweet and tangier. This delicious cream cheese icing tastes similar to cheesecake – but better! Made with lemon curd and almond extract, it’s a must-try! Gluten-free.
Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting is light and fluffy with the perfect amount of tanginess. The smooth and creamy consistency combined with the lemony flavor is sure to impress any crowd!
For more outstanding frosting recipes, check out our popular Gluten Free Frosting, Dairy Free Frosting and even our Boiled Icing!
With only 6 ingredients to get started, this recipe is prepped, whipped and ready to pipe in just 10 minutes. Deliciously served on top of cupcakes or cake, we also share all the best ways to use this frosting.
This recipe was created with your kids in mind. Not only do they get to lick the bowl, they learn to make cream cheese frosting from scratch. Encourage your young chefs to grab the equipment and ingredients to get started!
Looking for a homemade buttercream frosting recipe? Our Almond Buttercream Frosting puts a unique twist on traditional buttercream. With these two recipes, you’ll never have to settle for an average frosting again!
Table of Contents
Equipment
- mixing bowl
- mixer
- spatula
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- piping bag + 1M tip (optional)
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 1/2 cup salted butter room temperature
- 1/4 cup lemon curd room temperature
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2-1 teaspoon lemon zest
How To Make
Follow the simple step-by-step instructions below to make this lemon cream cheese frosting recipe.
Whip the ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, add the cream cheese, butter, and lemon curd. Whip for 2 minutes or until light and fluffy.
Using room temperature cream cheese, butter and lemon curd helps make whipping the ingredients a whole lot easier – especially for kids using a hand mixer! We recommend setting on the counter about an hour before you plan to make this recipe.
Add the sugar
Add the powdered sugar to the bowl with the cream cheese mixture. Encourage your kids to add the powdered sugar in 1/2 cup at a time until all 3 cups have been added. Then, mix until well combined.
Add the remaining ingredients
Add the lemon zest to the bowl. Use a zester, microplane or a cheese grater to zest the lemon. Make sure to only zest the bright yellow peel of the lemon – avoiding the white part known as the pith. Zesting the pith will cause your frosting to have a bitter taste. This is a great learning opportunity for kids!
After the zest has been added, mix in the almond extract and stir until combined.
Mix It Up: Swap the almond extract with vanilla extract.
Before piping the frosting onto your desired dessert, don’t skip the most important step – the taste test! Sample the frosting to taste the lemon flavor. If you prefer a stronger lemony taste, let the frosting rest in the fridge overnight and/or add an additional 1/2 teaspoon of zest.
Pipe onto cupcakes or cake
Place the tip into the piping bag and add the frosting. Pipe the frosting as desired.
Piping Frosting Tips
- Make piping bags at home by using ziplock bags with the ends snipped off.
- Fold the top of the piping bag down to prevent icing getting on the outside of the bag. Let kids fill the piping bag by placing it in a tall drinking glass and folding the top over the rim.
- Only fill each bag halfway to make it easier for kids to pipe the frosting without it spilling out the top of the bag.
- Instruct your kids to hold the piping bag with their dominant hand and non-dominant hand to guide the frosting.
- If the frosting gets soft, place into the freezer for 10 minutes.
FAQs
Cream cheese frosting will last in the fridge for up to 1 week. When ready to use, place the chilled cream cheese frosting on the counter to bring to room temperature.
Yes – cream cheese frosting can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
You can by placing the frozen cream cheese frosting in the fridge the day before then bring the frosting to room temperature on the counter when ready to use. Add it to a mixer to whip until the desired consistency is reached.
More Dessert Recipes For Kids
- Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes
- St. Patricks Day Cake Pops
- Dirt Pudding Recipe
- Valentine’s Day Pink Hot Chocolate
- Hot Chocolate Bombs
- 3-Ingredient Brookie Bars
- Gluten Free Christmas Desserts
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
Equipment
- mixer
- piping bag + 1M tip (optional)
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature ✅
- 1/2 cup salted butter, room temperature
- 1/4 cup lemon curd, room temperature ✅
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon almond extract ✅
- 1/2-1 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
- ⭐️Whip the ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, add the cream cheese, butter, and lemon curd. Whip for 2 minutes or until light and fluffy.8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature, 1/2 cup salted butter, room temperature, 1/4 cup lemon curd, room temperature
- ⭐️Add the sugar. Add the powdered sugar to the bowl. Slowly blend in until well combined.3 cups powdered sugar
- ⭐️Add the remaining ingredients. Add the lemon zest and the almond extract. Mix until combined.1/2-1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 teaspoon almond extract
- Pipe onto cupcakes, cake, or use as desired. Place the tip into the piping bag, fold the top of the piping bag down (helps not get icing on the outside of the bag), and add frosting. Use as desired. If the frosting gets soft, place into the freezer for 10 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
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Rachel Boothe says
Is this cream cheese frosting sturdy enough for piping roses on a flower nail? Thanks.
Jodi Danen, RDN says
Hi Rachel! This frosting might be a little too soft as the recipe is written. To make it firmer you can add extra powdered sugar to get it to the consistency you’re looking for. I hope that helps!