This maple cream cheese frosting is rich, creamy, sweet and tangy. It’s the perfect cream cheese frosting for cakes, cupcakes, cookies and easy to make for any fall desserts!
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Tangy and Sweet Maple Frosting
This recipe is an easy twist on my favorite cream cheese frosting and is the perfect way to dress up one hour cinnamon rolls, carrot cake and all your favorite apple desserts and pumpkin recipes.
The simple addition of the maple syrup gives it a sweet and slightly caramelized flavor, while still maintaining the tang from the cream cheese. It’s the perfect combination of creamy and fluffy, with a richness that will leave you craving more and more.
It’s super simple to whip up and you only need 5 ingredients to get started. Your mixer does all of the work for you, so there’s no heavy lifting required. In just 10 quick minutes, you’ll have a deliciously smooth maple frosting that adds the perfect finishing touch on all your baked goods!
Piping Tips
This frosting works great for piping on top of cookies, cake & cupcakes. We especially love piping it on top of pumpkin spice cupcakes, frosted pumpkin cookies and these apple pie cupcakes. It takes any fall dessert up a notch!
If you’re a beginner that wants to learn how to frost the perfect cupcakes (or cake or cookies), check out these tips below:
- Tools. I like to use a 1M star tip, a large coupler and these disposable frosting bags to pipe frosting on top of my desserts. They are simple tools that make a big difference in presentation.
- Consistency. The frosting should be thick and sturdy enough to hold a point. If it’s too thin to keep it’s shape, mix in more powdered sugar.
- Quantity. If using a tip, this recipe will frost about 12 cupcakes. I’d recommend doubling the recipe if you are making more than that.
- Cup method. Any easy, mess-free way to transfer the frosting to a piping bag is to place the tip inside the coupler and then inside the bag. Then place the bag inside a tall cup and fold over the top of the bag. Then scoop the frosting into the bag.
Variations
- Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice to boost the flavor even more.
- A few spoonful’s of milk or heavy cream will give it a drippier consistency, similar to a cream cheese glaze. This would taste delicious drizzled on top of pumpkin crumb muffins or a pumpkin bundt cake.
- Mix in a Tablespoon of fresh maple syrup for even more maple flavor.
How to Store Maple Frosting
Any leftover frosting will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days. It is also recommended that you refrigerate any desserts that you’ve frosted with this recipe because of the dairy in the cream cheese.
Ways to Use Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
- Frost these soft sugar cookies or carrot cake cookies
- Use as a filling in pumpkin whoopie pies
- Use to frost overnight cinnamon rolls
- Spread on top of pumpkin bars
- Pipe on carrot cake cupcakes
More Frosting Recipes
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Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
- 8 Tablespoons salted butter , softened
- 8 ounces cream cheese , softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar , more as needed
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons maple extract
Instructions
- Combine the butter and cream cheese in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add the powdered sugar slowly and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla and maple extract. If necessary, add more powdered sugar until the frosting is firm enough to hold its shape but still light and fluffy.
- Frost on cupcakes, cookies or your favorite dessert.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 5 Ingredients Or Less, American, Desserts, Frosting, Gluten-Free, No-Bake, Nut-Free, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.
Used this recipe with a vegan cream cheese and it came out perfect!!!! Saving this recipe forever!!!
Can I thin this down to make more of a glaze?
Yes, that is a great idea too!
How much does this recipe make?
It will frost about 24 cupcakes cupcakes.
Could you use maple syrup instead of maple extract?
You can use real maple syrup in replacement, but not artificial syrup.
Yes, but only real maple syrup, not artificial maple syrup.
Made this frosting today for a white cake. It is wonderful. Thanks for sharing
I’m so happy to hear you loved it, Mary! Thanks for your comment :)
I’m making pumpkin cupcakes today for my friend. I’m going to use your frosting to top the cupcakes. Looks buttery and delicious. Yum!
Enjoy! :)
The best frosting for any fall treat! Love putting this on carrot cake bread I make!
Yum, sounds delicious!