Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

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This strawberry cream cheese frosting is creamy, tangy, and packed with strawberry flavor.

Our recipe uses freeze-dried strawberries AND fresh strawberries for the best strawberry flavor!

chocolate cupcakes with strawberry frosting arranged on a white cake stand with fresh strawberries around the base

I have been obsessed with plain cream cheese frosting for a while now, but this strawberry cream cheese icing is on another level!

This pink frosting recipe is the real deal thanks to the perfect combination of fresh strawberry purée and freeze dried strawberries.

It pairs perfectly with so many recipes, including my easy strawberry cake recipe, and is a perfectly pink creamy frosting for any Valentine’s Day themed treats. Use this frosting on strawberry cupcakes, chocolate cupcakes, vanilla cupcakes, birthday cake and more!

strawberry cream cheese frosting in a glass bowl on a white surface with a teal rubber spatula and strawberries in the background

I tested a whole bunch of strawberry cream cheese frosting recipes and I decided that my favorite used a combination of freeze dried and fresh strawberries.

This combination is the best of both worlds. The freeze dried strawberries add a lot of strawberry flavor without adding excess liquid, while the 2 tablespoons of fresh strawberries add that authentic fresh strawberry flavor.

chocolate cupcake sitting on a white surface with strawberry frosting being piped on top

Why You’ll Love This Frosting

7 simple ingredients
Under 10 minutes to make
Perfect topping for any dessert
Creamy, fluffy texture
Uses real strawberries blended into a fresh strawberry puree

What You’ll Need

See the recipe card below for the full recipe with measurements.

Full fat cream cheese
Unsalted butter
Vanilla extract
Salt
Powdered sugar – also called confectioners’ sugar
Freeze dried strawberries
Fresh strawberries

What are freeze dried strawberries?

Freeze-dried strawberries are a shelf-stable fruit that has undergone a special freeze-drying process to remove nearly all of its moisture, making them crunchy. You can usually find them near the trail mix at the grocery store.

ingredients for strawberry cream cheese frosting in separate white bowls including a stick of butter, fresh strawberries, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, ground freeze fried strawberries, cream cheese and salt

How to Make Homemade Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

This strawberry frosting recipe makes enough frosting to frost a 9×13 inch cake, a two layer 8 inch cake or 24 cupcakes.

Blend freeze-dried strawberries. In a blender or food processor, blend the freeze dried strawberries into a fine powder. Set aside.

Blend fresh strawberries. In a blender or food processor, blend about 3 large strawberries until you have strawberry puree. It’s okay if there are chunks! Alternatively, finely chop the strawberries. Set aside.

Mix cream cheese and butter. Place the softened cream cheese and unsalted room temperature butter in a mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer on medium speed and beat together for 1-2 minutes, until whipped and fluffy.

cream cheese and a stick of butter in a clear glass bowl on a white surface

cream cheese and butter mixed together in a clear glass bowl on a white surface

Combine remaining ingredients (except strawberries). Add in the vanilla extract, salt, and 2 cups of powdered sugar, beat again on low for 1-2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl, until everything is incorporated.

mixture for cream cheese frosting with a pile of powdered sugar on top in a clear glass bowl on a white surface

mixture for cream cheese frosting in a clear glass bowl on a white surface

Adjust to taste. Taste the frosting and if you prefer it more sweet, add in 1 more cup of powdered sugar.

Add strawberry ingredients. Add in the freeze dried strawberry powder and 2 tbsp of pureed strawberries, beat on medium speed until fully incorporated.

cream cheese frosting topped with freeze dried strawberry powder and strawberry puree in a clear glass bowl on a white surface

Strawberry Frosting in a clear glass bowl on a white surface

Top and enjoy! Use as frosting on cake and cupcakes. Store in a sealed container in the fridge if using later.

Tips for the Best Strawberry Frosting

Vanilla extract. The small amount of vanilla extract in this recipe give the frosting a perfectly balanced, but not overpowering flavor.
Room temperature. Use room temperature butter and cream cheese for creamy results.

partially eaten vanilla cupcake with strawberry frosting sitting on an open paper muffin cup

FAQs

Why is my frosting runny?

If your frosting is runny, it may have been over whipped. To fix it, add more powdered sugar in small increments until you have the right consistency. However, adding too much powdered sugar will make for a sweeter frosting.

Why is my frosting lumpy?

This frosting can become lumpy if the cream cheese or butter were cold when you mixed the frosting together. Be sure to use room temperature ingredients. If you forget to set them out in advance, a quick way to get cream cheese and butter to room temperature is to microwave them for 5 second intervals until soft.

Does strawberry frosting with cream cheese need to be refrigerated?

You can leave this frosting out on top of cake, cookies or cupcakes for up to 8 hours. After that, it is recommended that you refrigerate it.

How long does homemade strawberry frosting last?

You can store this frosting recipe in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 1 week. The frosting will thicken in the refrigerator as it gets cold. Place the frosting on the counter and allow it to come to room temperature, and then give it a quick whip with an electric mixer before using.

partially eaten chocolate cupcake with laying on it's side on a paper muffin cup with fresh strawberries and more cupcakes arranged around it

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