Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting – Quick, Easy & Delicious
This Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting is tangy, creamy, and bursting with real strawberry flavor. It’s made with freeze-dried strawberries for maximum flavor and color—no artificial dye needed! Whether you’re topping a cake, swirling onto cupcakes, or just eating it with a spoon (no judgment), this frosting is a strawberry lover’s dream.
Want the perfect cake to pair it with? Don’t miss my Strawberry Cake from Scratch — it’s moist, fluffy, and loaded with real strawberries!
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting
- Made with Real Strawberries: No jam, no flavoring—just freeze-dried berries ground into powder for vibrant flavor and color.
- Tangy Cream Cheese Base: Balances the sweetness and makes it irresistibly smooth.
- Quick & Easy: Comes together in under 10 minutes with just a handful of ingredients.
- Naturally Pink: No food coloring required!
- Versatile: Pipe it on cupcakes, layer it between cakes, or spread it on cookies.
If you love strawberries, you’ll love my Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies!
Ingredients You’ll Need for Strawberry Frosting
- Freeze-dried strawberries: Not fresh or frozen—freeze-dried gives intense strawberry flavor without adding liquid.
- Cream cheese: Use softened, full-fat brick-style cream cheese for the best structure and tang.
- Salted butter: Softened to room temp for smooth mixing.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and rounds out the flavor.
- Strawberry Emulsion: Enhances the strawberry flavor.
Looking for the cake that matches? Grab my Moist Strawberry Cake Recipe and thank me later!
How to Make Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting
- Make the strawberry powder: Blend or process your freeze-dried strawberries until they become a fine powder, or buy strawberry powder. Set aside.
- Beat the cream cheese: Start with softened cream cheese. Beat until smooth to prevent lumps.
- Add butter: Mix until fully incorporated and fluffy.
- Add strawberry powder & vanilla: Beat until evenly distributed.
- Add powdered sugar: Mix on low to start, then increase speed. Beat until light, smooth, and fluffy. Add in the heavy cream.
- Adjust consistency: If it’s too soft, refrigerate for 15–20 minutes.
Pro Tips for Success
- Don’t overmix: Once your frosting is fluffy, stop beating to avoid it turning too soft.
- Frosting too soft? Pop it in the fridge! 15–20 minutes will firm it up.
- Sift powdered sugar if lumpy: This ensures smooth texture.
FAQs
Can I use fresh strawberries? Not for this recipe. Fresh strawberries add too much moisture and can make the frosting runny. Stick to freeze-dried for best texture and flavor.
Can I make it vegan?
Yes! Use vegan cream cheese (like Kite Hill or Miyoko’s) and a plant-based butter alternative. Make sure your freeze-dried strawberries and powdered sugar are vegan-friendly. The texture may be slightly softer than traditional cream cheese frosting, so refrigerate before piping if needed.
Can I make this ahead? Yes! Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Let sit at room temperature and re-whip before using.
Can I freeze cream cheese frosting? You can, but the texture may change slightly when thawed. For best results, make it fresh or refrigerate it instead.
What to Use It On
- Strawberry Cake from Scratch
- Red Velvet Cupcakes
- Chocolate Cake (for chocolate-covered strawberry vibes)
- Funfetti Cupcakes
Tools I Recommend
- Mini food processor for blending freeze-dried strawberries (or buy the powder version)
- Offset spatula for smooth frosting application
- Piping bags for perfect swirls
For all of my favorite and most essential baking tools, check out my post, My All-Time Favorite Baking Tools (and Why I Swear By Them).
Frosting Your Cake
Once your cake layers are cooled, it’s time to slather on the goodness! This frosting spreads easily and holds its shape well for piping. If you’re building a layer cake, level your cakes and use an offset spatula for smooth, even layers.
New to frosting cakes? Don’t miss my step-by-step guide on How to Frost a Cake Like a Pro — perfect for beginners or anyone wanting a cleaner finish.
More Frostings You’ll Love:
- The Only Buttercream Recipe You’ll Ever Need
- Easy Chocolate Buttercream Recipe
- Best Vegan Buttercream Recipe
- Cream Cheese Frosting
- Whipped Vanilla Frosting (Butter-free and Eggless)
Make the Best Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting
This strawberry cream cheese frosting has all the balance—sweet, tangy, fruity, and creamy. It’s naturally pink, pipes beautifully, and makes every dessert taste like spring. Once you try it, you’ll never go back to artificial strawberry frosting again.
Bake my Easy Strawberry Cake!
Tag me on Instagram @everythingjustbaked if you make it! I love seeing your creations.
Ingredients
- 8 oz (1 block) cream cheese, sofened at room temperature
- ½ cup salted butter, softened at room temperature
- 3-4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- ¼ cup freeze-dried strawberry powder (blended freeze dried strawberries)
- 2 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tsp strawberry emulsion (optional)
- 1 tbsp heavy cream
Instructions
- Beat butter until smooth and creamy (1–2 minutes).
- Add cream cheese and beat on medium-high until fully combined and fluffy — about 2–3 minutes.
- Mix in vanilla, salt, and strawberry emulsion (if using).
- Add freeze-dried strawberry powder and half the powdered sugar. Beat until combined.
- Add remaining powdered sugar and beat on medium-high until light and fluffy. Add in the heavy cream.
- Taste and adjust: more sugar for sweetness, more strawberry powder for flavor, or a pinch more salt to balance it all. Enjoy!
Strawberry flavor and the cake is awesome!!