Lime Cream Cheese Frosting
Cynthia Chen McTernan
Photo by James Ransom
- Serves
- enough frosting for about a dozen cupcakes if frosted; about a half-dozen if piped.
Simple but unbelievably delicious, refreshing, and addicting. Lime and cream cheese were meant to go together.
Ingredients
- 4 ounce cream cheese or Neufchatel cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 teaspoon lime juice, or more depending on resulting thickness of the frosting
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
Featured Video
This icing was worth breaking down and buying a Microplane zester for (albeit a clearance one from Target). The lime-y flavor was great but not overpowering. I essentially used the cupcakes I baked for this recipe as frosting vehicles -- arguably the best way to eat cupcakes. The recipe is very easy. I highly recommend it.
Directions
- Step 1
If using an electric mixer, simply combine all the ingredients and beat until fluffy and smooth.
- Step 2
If making by hand, cream together cream cheese and butter until very smooth. It will help greatly if the cream cheese and butter are quite soft beforehand.
- Step 3
Add confectioners' sugar 1/2 cup at a time, beating until incorporated after each addition.
- Step 4
Finally, add lime juice and lime zest and beat again until smooth. If the frosting is too soft, add more confectioners' sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, until frosting is the right stiffness. If it is too stiff, you can add more lime juice a few drops at a time.