Zesty Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

There is nothing more refreshing than Lemon so why not make Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting and dress up cupcakes, cinnamon rolls or even a layered cake with this quick and easy frosting recipe.

Welcome to #LemonWeek 2021 hosted by Lynn from Fresh April Flours!  What better way to welcome summer than with over 50 recipes featuring bright and sunny lemons? Come join me and my fellow Lemon Week bloggers as we bring you recipes from appetizers to drinks to entrées and desserts!

Cream Cheese Frosting is pretty quick and easy to make, add some lemon zest and fresh lemon juice for the perfect combination you will love.  This is a classic recipe I've used for years.

When making any batch of frosting I like to use my Bosch Universal Mixer.  It whips the ingredients nicely to a nice smooth consistency which is perfect.  I grew up using a Bosch and it’s my only appliance that gets permanent counter space in my kitchen.

I also appreciate that the Bosch Mixer has a cover to keep ingredients inside the bowl.  Powdered Sugar is light and tends to fly around when poured into the bowl.

You can of course make this frosting recipe using a hand mixer without any problems.  I do recommend using a large bowl. 

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Supplies Used

• Pyrex Bowls
• Frosting Disposable Bags
• Kitchen Aid Hand Mixer
• Lemon Zester

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Start by squeezing juice from a lemon.  You will use about 3-4 Tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice along with the zest from 1 lemon.  For a more stiff buttercream use 3 Tablespoons of lemon juice, if you want to a more relaxed buttercream use 4 tablespoons lemon juice.

Zesting Citrus

Did you know that the zest from Citrus fruit is the outside color part and NOT the white part of the rind?  Well, it’s true.  So don’t get over zealous when zesting the lemon and make sure to only remove the outer yellow portion and leave the white rind behind.  The inner white rind is bitter and will take away from the wonderful fragrant zest of the lemon.

Softened Butter and Cream Cheese

For best results allow both butter and cream cheese to soften.  I recommend letting both ingredients sit on the counter for 90 minutes.  This ensures that they are easily combined with the other ingredients for a nice smooth consistency.

Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting is sweet with a hint of tangy and there are so many wonderful uses.  You might enjoy making my 1 Hour Cinnamon Rolls and spreading this frosting on top.  It’s wonderful!  Or dress up your favorite Cup Cake and don’t forget to add a few sprinkles or candy pearls on top. This recipe is also perfect when frosting a single-layer cake.

Here is a tip!  Try a Raspberry cake with Lemon Frosting.  Oh it’s good!

How to make Lemon Frosting

Step 1: Cream Softened Butter and Softened Cream Cheese until smooth

Step 2: Add Lemon Juice and Zest and mix until combined.

Step 3: Powdered Sugar should be added 1 cup at a time until incorporated. Sifting powder sugar removes lumps.

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Frosting can be made ahead of time and stored covered in a refrigerator.  I like to place frosting in a container and smooth top.  Then place a piece of plastic wrap on top to keep all air out.  When ready to use remove from the fridge and allow to sit on the counter for at least 60-90 minutes for a more spreadable frosting.

Easy Cupcake Piped Frosting

Place frosting into a gallon Ziploc bag or a Wilton Frosting Bag and snip the corner.  Pipe in a swirl starting from the inside and working toward the outside for a flat snail ring of frosting.  OR pipe frosting from the outside towards the center to create a peak of frosting. Sprinkles and Candy Pearls can be sprinkled on top for added decoration.

Single Layer Round Cake

When frosting cake, I find it easiest if the cake is frozen.  It helps to keep the cake from breaking when a thicker frosting is being spread across the top and sides.  But it’s not necessary.  Using an off-set spatula spread frosting on top and sides. 

Cinnamon Rolls

Spread Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting on hot/warm Cinnamon Rolls and allow frosting to melt.  Easily spread with a rubber or silicone spatula. And feel free to add Lemon Curd to the cinnamon roll before baking. It's delicious too.

Garnish Ideas

When frosting Cupcakes, Cakes, Cookies, or even Cinnamon Rolls it's a great idea to add a little garnish. Not only does it add a pop of color but flavor too. Try these ideas.

• Lemon Zest - Adding Lemon Zest on top of frosting is refreshing and delicious
• Berries - A simple Raspberry or Strawberry brings color and a complementary flavor.
• Lemon Slice - Adding a slice of lemon is a fun way to garnish any Cupcake, Cake, or Cookie.

Thursday #LemonWeek Recipes

• Triple Lemon Cupcakes by Fresh April Flours
• Double Lemon Glazed Cookies by House of Nash Eats
• Fish Fillets with Lemon Wine Sauce by That Recipe
• Spaghetti al Limone by A Day In The Life On The Farm
• Best Blueberry Lemon Scones by SueBee Homemaker
• Lemon Meltaway Cookies by Making Miracles
• Zesty Lemon Vinaigrette by Magical Ingredients
• Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting by Devour Dinner

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5 from 22 votes
Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
Sweet and Creamy, Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting is a Family Recipe used over the decades. Classic Recipe made with Butter, Cream Cheese, Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest and Powdered Sugar. Perfect on Cupcakes, Cookies, Cakes, and Cinnamon Rolls
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time0 minutes mins
Total Time10 minutes mins
Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 16
Ingredients
• ½ Cup Butter - Softened
• 8 oz Cream Cheese - Softened
• 3-4 Tbs Lemon Juice
• Lemon Zest - from 1 Lemon
• 4 Cups Powdered Sugar - 400g
Instructions
• In a large bowl or Stand Mixer cream Butter and Cream Cheese until light and fluffy
• Add Lemon Juice and Lemon Zest and mix until combined. For a more stiff frosting use 3 Tbs Lemon Juice. For a more spreadable frosting use 4 Tbls Lemon Juice.
• Add powered Sugar 1 cup at a time until desired consistency is reached.
Notes
Store covered in refrigerator.  Allow frosting to come to room temperature before spreading on cake, cookies, or cupcakes.
How to Zest a Lemon:
When Zesting a Lemon or any citrus fruit you only want the outer portion of the rind which carries the essence and oils of the fruit.  The inner white rind is bitter and will take away from the wonderful fragrant zest of the lemon.
 
Have you made this recipe?Mention @devourdinner or tag us #devourdinner! Please leave a comment and rating below. Thank you!
Nutrition Disclaimer
All nutrition values are approximate and calculated by a plugin and are provided as a courtesy. Adding or subtracting ingredients will change the nutritional value.
Nutrition
Calories: 217kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 97mg | Potassium: 25mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 368IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg
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