Maple Frosting
This maple frosting is creamy and tangy with just the right amount of sweetness. Maple syrup and cinnamon make this the perfect fall dessert topping!
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Maple Frosting Recipe
When I finally nailed my pumpkin cake recipe, I knew regular cream cheese frosting would be delicious, but I wanted something that really complemented those warm pumpkin spices. Adding maple syrup gave it the flavor I was looking for, and that little hint of cinnamon makes it even better.
Now it's right up there with my vanilla buttercream as one of my favorite frostings. They're completely different, and I honestly couldn't choose between them!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
You can adjust the sweetness. Adding powdered sugar gradually gives you more control over how sweet and thick your frosting turns out. It's especially helpful when you want a frosting that doesn't overpower your cake.
No fancy decorating skills needed. Spread it over a sheet cake with a spatula or pipe pretty swirls onto cupcakes. It looks beautiful either way, even if you're not much of a cake decorator.
It's great for sharing. Making cupcakes for a birthday, bringing dessert to a holiday party, or baking something for a friend? This frosting makes even a simple homemade treat feel a little more special.
Ingredients
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this maple frosting. You probably have most of them in your kitchen already!
Cream cheese gives this frosting its creamy texture and signature tang. I recommend full-fat cream cheese for the richest results. Let it soften before mixing so you don't end up with lumps.
Unsalted butter helps the frosting hold its shape while keeping it smooth and spreadable. Only have salted butter? You can use it, but the frosting may taste a little saltier.
Pure maple syrup gives this frosting its maple flavor. Use real maple syrup instead of pancake syrup. Want a stronger maple flavor? Swap the vanilla for a little maple extract. A little goes a LONG way!
Vanilla extract and ground cinnamon add warmth without overpowering the maple.
Powdered sugar sweetens and thickens the frosting. If it's clumpy, sift it first so you don't end up with little lumps in your finished frosting.
How to Make Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
See the recipe card for the complete instructions! ⬇️
Jump to Recipe
- Add the softened cream cheese, butter, and vanilla extract to your mixing bowl. Beat everything until it's nice and smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl so everything gets mixed evenly.
- Add the powdered sugar a little at a time instead of dumping it all in at once. Trust me, you'll save yourself a powdered sugar mess! Keep mixing until the frosting reaches your desired consistency.
- Pour in the maple syrup, add the ground cinnamon, and mix until everything is incorporated. Give it a taste! Want a little more maple flavor? Add a bit more syrup, but go slowly because too much can make your frosting runny.
- Now for the fun part! Spread the frosting over your favorite cake or pipe it onto completely cooled pumpkin cupcakes. If you're not ready to use it just yet, pop it in the fridge until it's time to decorate.
Planning to pipe your frosting? Test a small swirl on a plate first. If it doesn't hold its shape, the frosting may need to firm up before you start decorating your cupcakes.
Madison's Tips for Success:
I've tested this recipe and have successfully made it many times. Use my tips to ensure that it turns out perfectly for you, too!
- Don't overbeat the frosting. Once everything is smooth and combined, stop mixing. Too much beating can make cream cheese frosting loose.
- Let your cakes cool completely. Even a slightly warm cake can soften the frosting and make decorating difficult.
- Use an offset spatula for a smooth finish. It makes spreading frosting over a sheet cake much easier, especially when you want an even layer without pulling up crumbs.
Uses for Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
I originally made this frosting for pumpkin cake, but it's also delicious on cupcakes and cookies! Try spreading it over cinnamon cookies or sandwiching it between two pumpkin snickerdoodles.
Want those pretty bakery-style swirls on your cupcakes? A piping bag fitted with a star tip makes decorating easy!
Storing and Freezing
To store: Keep leftover frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To freeze: Transfer the frosting to a freezer-safe airtight container and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and stir gently before using. The texture may change slightly after freezing.
Maple Cream Cheese Frosting FAQs
This recipe makes about 2 cups of frosting, enough for 12 to 18 cupcakes, a 9×13-inch sheet cake, or a single-layer cake. For a fully frosted two-layer cake, I'd recommend making 1½ batches or doubling the recipe.
Absolutely! Make it ahead and keep it refrigerated until you're ready to decorate. Let it soften slightly before spreading or piping.
If your frosting is too thin, try adding a little more powdered sugar, keeping in mind that it will also make the frosting sweeter. Avoid adding too much maple syrup, since the extra liquid can affect the consistency.
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Maple Frosting
Ingredients
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup butter softened
- 1 - 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat together 4 oz cream cheese, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, and ¼ cup butter.
- Add 1 - 1 ½ cups powdered sugar (½ cup at a time) until you reach the desired consistency and sweetness.
- Add the 1 tablespoon maple syrup and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon to the frosting and mix.
- Taste for sweetness and the potency of the maple flavor. If you want the maple stronger, add more syrup combine with mixer.
- Frost cake immediately or place frosting in fridge until ready to frost.
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
More Dessert Topping Recipes
I'll teach you how to make simple from-scratch recipes, like seasonings, sauces, dinners and even desserts, that make cooking from home less overwhelming and more enjoyable.
My recipes have been featured on publications like South Your Mouth, Fun.com, Her Campus, Mental Floss, and the TastingTable.
This worked exactly as written, thanks for sharing!
Maple frosting goes on EVERYTHING!
Could I use this frosting on cinnamon rolls?
I've never tried but I don't see why not! It might be a little different than traditional cream cheese icing, but probably delicious either way!
Looking to make this frosting for a chocolate cake. Do you have a recommended serving size for a two layer round cake? Thanks!
Thank you for asking! I would recommend doubling this recipe so that you have 4 cups of frosting to generously frost your two layer cake 😃 It sounds delicious! Would love to see a photo when you are done. You can tag us on Instagram @joyfullymad or email it to [email protected]