Description

This Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting is a luscious and creamy topping made with freeze-dried strawberries, cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar. It offers a delicate strawberry flavor with a smooth texture that is perfect for spreading or piping onto cupcakes, cakes, or other desserts. The natural strawberry powder adds an intense fruity taste without adding moisture that could compromise the frosting’s consistency.

Ingredients

Scale

Frosting Ingredients

1 1/2 cups freeze-dried strawberries (approximately)
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick), softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups powdered sugar

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Instructions

Crush Strawberries: Add the freeze-dried strawberries to a quart-size Ziplock bag, remove all the air, and seal tightly. Use a rolling pin to crush the strawberries into a fine powder with some small chunks, ensuring none are too big to clog your piping tip. Set aside.
Combine Cream Cheese and Butter: Place the softened cream cheese and butter into a large mixing bowl.
Cream Ingredients: Using a paddle attachment on a stand mixer or hand mixer, cream the cream cheese and butter together on medium speed, scraping down the bowl sides as necessary until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Add Vanilla and Powdered Sugar: Add vanilla extract and 1 cup of the powdered sugar to the bowl. Mix on low speed initially to incorporate the sugar, then increase to medium speed until fully combined. Repeat this process with the remaining 2 cups of powdered sugar until the frosting is smooth and free of lumps.
Incorporate Strawberry Powder: Add the crushed freeze-dried strawberry powder to the frosting. Mix on low speed at first to begin incorporating, then increase to medium speed until the powder is fully blended.
Use or Store: The frosting is now ready to be spread or piped onto your cupcakes or cakes.
Storage: If not using immediately, store the frosting in the refrigerator. Before use, remove it from the fridge and allow it to soften to a spreadable consistency.

Notes

Ensure cream cheese and butter are softened for a smooth frosting texture.
Freeze-dried strawberries provide intense flavor without adding moisture, maintaining frosting stability.
You can adjust the amount of strawberry powder to taste for a stronger or milder strawberry flavor.
If frosting is too stiff after refrigeration, let it sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before using.
This frosting works well for piping decorative designs or simple spreading on cakes and cupcakes.