This strawberry cream cheese frosting is made with fresh and freeze dried strawberries for bright flavor that stays thick. Smooth, tangy, and perfect for cakes, cupcakes, and more. Easy to spread or pipe!

Strawberry cream cheese frosting in a mixing bowl with beaters.

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Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

This strawberry cream cheese frosting pairs fresh sweet strawberries with the tang of thick and silky cream cheese frosting for the perfect combination! After testing it a few ways, I landed on a mix of fresh and freeze dried strawberries. The fresh berries keep it bright and the freeze dried add concentrated flavor while keeping it thick enough to spread or pipe.

The beautiful pale pink color makes it perfect to decorate anything from strawberry cake mix brownies to strawberry sheet cake. It has a lighter texture than my strawberry buttercream and adds decadence to any strawberry desserts!

Pouring strawberry cream frosting on top of cake.

Ingredient Notes

  • Butter: I use salted butter, but if you only have unsalted, just add a pinch of salt when whipping.
  • Cream cheese: Use full-fat block-style softened cream cheese at room temperature. Reduced-fat cream cheese can make the frosting too runny because of its higher water content.
  • Powdered sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, it creates a smooth creamy texture and helps the cream cheese hold its shape when piped.
  • Fresh strawberries: Finely chopped and pureed to give the frosting bold, bright strawberry flavor.
  • Freeze dried strawberries: Crushed into a powder, these add concentrated strawberry taste and help keep the frosting thick without extra liquid.

How to Make Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

Step by step photo collage of how to make strawberry cream cheese frosting.
  1. Prep the strawberries: Crush the freeze dried strawberries into a powder using a small blender or food processor and set aside. Then finely chop 1 cup of fresh strawberries, add them to a blender, and pulse until well blended.
  2. Mix butter and cream cheese: In a medium-sized bowl, or stand mixer, cream the butter and cream cheese together with an electric mixer or paddle attachment on low speed. Mix until smooth and creamy, which will usually take about 1 minute.
  3. Add sugar and strawberries: Pour in the powdered sugar, strawberry puree, and crushed freeze dried strawberries, then continue to mix until everything is combined.
  4. Adjust flavors and frost: Taste the frosting and add a pinch of salt or vanilla extract if you think it needs it. Your frosting is now ready to use!

How to Thicken

If you would like the frosting a bit thicker, add some additional powdered sugar, a spoonful of crushed freeze dried strawberries, or softened cream cheese. You can also thin it out to make a cream cheese glaze by adding in milk or heavy cream.

Recipe Tips for Success

  • Bring ingredients to room temperature: Make sure the butter and cream cheese are fully softened before starting. If they’re too cold, the frosting may turn out lumpy instead of smooth and creamy.
  • Avoid overmixing: Beat just until the frosting is light and fluffy. Overbeating can cause it to become thin or runny.
  • Using frozen strawberries: You can use frozen strawberries, but be sure to thaw and drain them well. After pureeing, if the mixture seems watery, cook it down slightly on the stove to thicken, then let it cool completely before adding it to the frosting.
  • For piping: Transfer the finished frosting to a piping bag to decorate your desserts. For better structure and shape, chill the frosting in the fridge for about 30 minutes before piping.
  • Frosting yield: This recipe makes about 2 to 3 cups of frosting, enough to cover a two-layer 8-inch cake, a single-layer sheet cake, or about 12 cupcakes.

Variations

  • Quick shortcut: If you’re short on time, you can substitute the fresh strawberries with a small amount of strawberry jam. Just be sure to use a good-quality jam with a rich flavor.
  • Try other berries: This frosting also works beautifully with other berries! Raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, or even a berry blend can be used. Just note that the flavor and color will vary depending on the berries you choose.
Strawberry cream cheese frosting on top of a cake.

Need more cream cheese frosting recipes? Try lemon cream cheese frosting, cinnamon cream cheese frosting or caramel cream cheese frosting.

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Strawberry cream cheese frosting in a mixing bowl.

Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

5 from 4 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 24
A smooth, tangy strawberry cream cheese frosting made with fresh and freeze dried strawberries. Thick enough to spread or pipe, and perfect for cakes and cupcakes.
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Ingredients 

  • 1 cup strawberries , finely chopped
  • 3 Tablespoons freeze dried strawberries
  • 6 Tablespoons butter , softened (I use salted)
  • 4 ounces cream cheese , softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 pinch salt

Instructions

  • Crush: Use a small blender to crush the freeze dried strawberries. Set aside.
  • Puree. Finely chop 1 cup of fresh strawberries, then place them in a blender and pulse until well blended.
  • Whip. Combine 6 Tablespoons butter and 4 ounces cream cheese together in a medium size bowl. Mix with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute.
  • Combine. Add in 3 cups powdered sugar, freeze dried strawberries and strawberry puree. Mix until combined. Taste and add a pinch of salt. Add more powdered sugar for a thicker frosting, or a teaspoon of cream or vanilla for a thinner frosting.
  • Spread the frosting evenly over top of the cooled cake, or desired dessert.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

If you don’t have freeze dried strawberries, you can add 2 Tablespoons more of powdered sugar.
Storage: If your frosting will be out for longer than 2 hours, it’s a good idea to put it in the fridge. The frosting will keep well in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 109kcal, Carbohydrates: 17g, Protein: 0.4g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 12mg, Sodium: 39mg, Potassium: 41mg, Fiber: 0.3g, Sugar: 16g, Vitamin A: 152IU, Vitamin C: 26mg, Calcium: 7mg, Iron: 0.4mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.