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    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    Cool Whip Cream Cheese Frosting

    Published: Jul 20, 2023 by Kelsey Smith

    142 shares
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    Cool Whip Cream Cheese Frosting
    Cool Whip Cream Cheese Frosting
    Cool Whip Cream Cheese Frosting
    Cool Whip Cream Cheese Frosting
    Cool Whip Cream Cheese Frosting
    Cool Whip Cream Cheese Frosting
    Cool Whip Cream Cheese Frosting

    Cool Whip cream cheese frosting is creamy yet fluffy frosting made with cream cheese, salted butter, powdered sugar, and whipped topping.

    Cream cheese frosting is thick and decadent. Adding Cool Whip lightens up both the consistency and the sweetness, giving you a slightly lighter alternative. Adding Cool Whip is also a great way to stretch your recipe so the frosting goes further.

    The key to making a creamy frosting is ensuring the cream cheese and butter are softened to room temperature for the best results. And don't forget to thaw your whipped topping.

    Cream cheese Cool Whip frosting is one of my favorite frostings for red velvet cupcakes, but you can also use this for sheet cakes. 

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Cool Whip Cream Cheese Frosting on a red velvet cupcake

    For a thicker frosting for a layer cake, try a stiff cream cheese frosting instead. Thicker frostings are the best frosting when you want a consistency that holds its shape.

    If you like this homemade frosting, try my Cool Whip frosting with vanilla pudding.

    Recipe Highlights

    • Easy recipe: This easy Cool Whip frosting is easy to remember and easy to make.
    • Simple ingredients: Only 5 ingredients!
    Jump to:
    • Recipe Highlights
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Top Tips
    • FAQ
    • Related
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Food safety
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredients

    Cool Whip Cream Cheese Frosting ingredients
    • Cream cheese: Use a block of cream cheese for a creamy base, softened
    • Salted butter: Adds richness and a little bit of salt, softened
    • Pure vanilla extract: Adds a light vanilla flavor
    • Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting
    • Cool Whip Original: Light and fluffy whipped cream topping found in the freezer aisle, thawed for perfect texture

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    Instructions

    Softened butter, softened cream cheese, and vanilla are added to a large mixing bowl

    Add the softened cream cheese, softened butter, and vanilla extract to a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer.

    The softened cream cheese, softened butter, and vanilla are beaten together with a hand mixer in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy

    With a hand mixer or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy.

    Powered sugar is added a little bit at a time and mixed in

    Reduce the speed to low and slowly add the powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture. You can increase the speed as the powdered sugar is incorporated.

    The powdered sugar is fully mixed into the cream cheese mixture

    Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula and beat again.

    Thawed Cool Whip is added to the mixing bowl

    Add the thawed Cool Whip and mix on medium speed until you get soft peaks.

    Cool Whip Cream Cheese Frosting in a large mixing bowl

    You will have a light and fluffy consistency.

    Cool Whip Cream Cheese Frosting

    Transfer to a piping bag if desired.

    Cool Whip Cream Cheese Frosting being piped onto a red velvet cupcake with a 1A decorating tip

    Substitutions

    • Cream cheese: Reduced fat cream cheese, fat-free cream cheese, and neufchatel cheese are great alternatives.
    • Salted butter: Use unsalted butter and add a pinch of salt to control the saltiness.
    • Pure vanilla extract: Vanilla bean paste and imitation vanilla extract also work.
    • Cool Whip Original: Any tub of Cool Whip (lite, zero sugar, reduced fat, fat free, extra creamy, and vegan whipped topping) will all work in this recipe. If the frosting is too soft and droopy, add another cup to two cups of powdered sugar.

    Equipment

    • Hand mixer - An electric hand mixer is great, or use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment.
    • Silicone spatula - To scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl.
    • Piping bag - Disposable piping bags are easy and convenient. In a pinch, use a plastic storage bag instead.
    • 1A piping tip - I use a Wilton 1A piping tip for this recipe.

    Storage

    Transfer leftover frosting into an airtight container. Refrigerate the container immediately after use. Use within one week or freeze for up to 2 to 3 months.

    Top Tips

    • This is a very soft frosting that isn't as stiff as buttercream frosting. It's perfect for a round Wilton 1A piping tip.
    • For a thicker and sweeter frosting, add another one to two cups of powdered sugar.
    • This will generously frost 2 dozen cupcakes (with some to spare) or lightly frost 3 dozen cupcakes.

    FAQ

    Can Cool Whip be used as frosting?

    On it's own, Cool Whip is too soft for frosting, but you can add a stabilizing agent like instant pudding mix and powdered sugar to stiffen it.

    Does cream cheese frosting need to be refrigerated?

    Yes, cream cheese will spoil if it is not refrigerated.

    Related

    More Cool Whip recipes:

    • Lemon Cool Whip Cookies
      Lemon Cool Whip Cookies
    • 3-Ingredient Oreo Pie
      3-Ingredient Oreo Pie
    • Cupcake topped with cool whip frosting.
      Vanilla Cool Whip Frosting

    📖 Recipe

    Cool Whip Cream Cheese Frosting on red velvet cupcakes
    Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved! Email Print

    Cool Whip Cream Cheese Frosting

    Cool Whip cream cheese frosting is creamy yet fluffy frosting made with cream cheese, salted butter, powdered sugar, and whipped topping.
    5 from 1 vote
    Recipe by: Kelsey Smith
    Prep time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook time: 0 minutes minutes
    Total time: 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 36 cupcakes

    Equipment

    • Hand mixer
    • Silicone spatula
    • Piping bag
    • 1A piping tip

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
    • ½ cup salted butter softened
    • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
    • 4 cups powdered sugar
    • 8 ounces Cool Whip Original Whipped Cream Topping thawed

    Instructions
     

    • With a hand mixer or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the softened cream cheese, softened butter, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl on medium-high speed until light and fluffy.
    • Reduce the speed to low and slowly add the powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula and beat again.
    • Add the thawed Cool Whip and mix on medium speed until you get soft peaks. You will have a light and fluffy consistency. Transfer to a piping bag if desired.

    Video

    Notes

    This will generously frost 2 dozen cupcakes (with some to spare) or lightly frost 3 dozen cupcakes.
    For a thicker and sweeter frosting, add another one to two cups of powdered sugar. Transfer leftover frosting into an airtight container.
    Storage: Refrigerate the container immediately after use. Use within one week or freeze for up to 2 to 3 months.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 112kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 1gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 45mgPotassium: 16mgSugar: 15gVitamin A: 168IUCalcium: 12mgIron: 0.02mg
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Cool Whip, cream cheese, cupcakes, frosting
    Tried this recipe?Rate it to let me know how it was!

    Food safety

    Do not leave cream cheese frosting out for more than two hours (or one hour if the temperature is above 90ºF).

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

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    About Kelsey Smith

    I am a freelance content writer by day, mommy by night, and a blogger in between. I live in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband, Xavier. When I'm not working, you might find me here, sharing comfort food recipes.

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    Kelsey Smith

    Hi, I'm Kelsey! I am a freelance content writer for college-level textbooks by day, mommy by night, and a blogger in between. I live in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband, Xavier. When I'm not working, you might find me here, sharing easy comfort food recipes.

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