How to Make Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Icing

Cream cheese icing can be delicious, but vanilla bean cream cheese icing adds a new layer of flavor to the old standard. You will can see and taste the tiny flecks of vanilla beans, which gives this icing an extra dimension.

Things You'll Need

• 2 (8-oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups confectioner's sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 tsp. vanilla bean paste
• 1 tbsp. milk (optional)

Instructions

1. Place the softened cream cheese in a medium-sized mixing bowl.

2. Add the softened butter to the cream cheese and turn the mixer on high to blend.

3. Turn the mixer on low and carefully add the sifted powdered sugar. Once the powdered sugar is mixed in, turn the mixer back on high and blend the mixture until it's smooth and creamy.

4. Mix in a spoonful of vanilla bean paste, blending it in thoroughly.

5. Add a teaspoon of milk if the vanilla bean cream cheese frosting is too thick.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the cupcakes are done baking and have had time to cool before you frost them. Check their readiness by inserting a wooden chopstick into the center of one cupcake. If the chopstick comes out clean, the cupcakes are done.

• Remove the cupcakes from the oven and place them on a rack to cool. Don't remove them from from the cupcake tin while they are hot, of they will stick to the pan.