Cream Cheese Frosting

Cream cheese frosting is a staple of most baker’s repertoire. You can’t have carrot and banana cake or pumpkin bars without cream cheese frosting. It is simple and luscious and a great compliment for just about any cake you can bake. Here is the most basic of frosting recipes and some quick variations.

1 stick of butter

8 ounces of cream cheese (don’t use low or not fat versions in this recipe)

2 cups confectionery sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Place the butter and the cream cheese in a large bowl. Using your electric mixer beat until smooth. Slowly add the sugar and the vanilla. Spread on your favorite cupcake, cake, bar or muffin and enjoy.

You can change the taste by replacing the vanilla extract with almond extract, mint extract or rum extract. Replace the vanilla with 2 teaspoons of very strong coffee. If you want mocha add a couple of tablespoons of cocoa powder with the coffee.

You can change the look by adding a couple of drops of food coloring to match any color you prefer. Sprinkle your baked goods with shots, dots, jimmies or red hots. You will think of a hundred ways to make this recipe your own.

When you need a quick and easy frosting to slather on your favorite cake or bar there is nothing that is better than this decadent and luscious choice. You may want to keep a small container stashed in the fridge so that you can bring those store bought brownies up to gourmet standards.