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A plated brownie slice with cream cheese icing, drizzled with chocolate, and served with a glass of milk.

Make Your Brownies Even Better with This Cream Cheese Icing

Description

This cream cheese icing for brownies is smooth, rich, and perfectly balanced between sweet and tangy. It’s the best topping for fudgy brownies, adding a creamy texture that pairs beautifully with deep chocolate flavors. With just a few simple ingredients, you’ll have a luscious frosting ready in minutes!

Ingredients

Scale

  • For the Cream Cheese Icing:

    • 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
    • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
    • 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar, sifted
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • 1–2 tsp milk (if needed, for consistency)

  • For the Brownies (Optional):

    • 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, melted
    • 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
    • 3 large eggs
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • ¾ cup (90g) unsweetened cocoa powder
    • ½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour
    • ¼ tsp salt

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Brownies (Optional)

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch pan or line it with parchment paper.
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
  3. Sift in the cocoa powder, flour, and salt. Stir until just combined—do not overmix.
  4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let cool completely before icing.

Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Icing

  1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and fluffy.
  2. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing on low speed at first, then increasing to medium-high until fully combined.
  3. Add vanilla extract and beat for another 1–2 minutes until the icing is light and creamy. If too thick, add 1–2 tsp of milk to adjust the consistency.

Step 3: Frost the Brownies

  1. Spread the cream cheese icing for brownies evenly using an offset spatula or butter knife.
  2. For a decorative touch, swirl the icing with a spoon or pipe it using a piping bag.
  3. Slice into squares and enjoy!

Notes

  • Do brownies with cream cheese frosting need to be refrigerated? Yes, store frosted brownies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • Can I leave a cake with cream cheese frosting out overnight? No, due to the dairy content, it should not sit out for more than 2 hours.
  • For a chocolate twist, add ¼ cup cocoa powder to the icing for a rich chocolate-cream cheese frosting.
  • If you prefer a lighter frosting, reduce the powdered sugar to 1 ½ cups.
  • Let the brownies cool completely before frosting to prevent the icing from melting.
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 25
  • Category: Desserts
  • Cuisine: American

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Find it online: https://fitplaterecipes.com/cream-cheese-icing-for-brownies/