I HAVE ICED CUPCAKES USING CREAM CHEESE ICING FOR THE FIRST TIME, HENCE MY IGNORANCE ON THE TOPIC.THE RECIPE I USED WAS QUITE RUNNY AND NOT FIRM ENOUGH FOR ME TO MAKE DECORATIVE SWIRLS ON THE CUPCAKES.IS CREAM CHEESE ICING ALWAYS LIKE THIS? OR CAN SOMEONE SUGGEST A GOOD RECIPE TO USE.ALSO DO I NEED TO REFRIGERATE THE CUPCAKES?I DON'T WANT THEM (CAKES)TO DRY OUT.

. . . if you're wanting a cream cheese icing . . . you may want to try this one . . . . http://www.earlenescakes.com/icings.htm . . . as far a refrigerating your current cuppies . . . probably a good idea, as it is unlikely your icing is shelf stable based on your description of the consistency (better to error on the side of caution) . . . HTH

Thanks for posting, I was just about to ask this question. Just wondering if anyone has had any luck with the other cream cheese frosting recipes that do not require the Butavan? Has anyone used the crusting cream cheese recipe? Thanks for any info, as I am quite the newbie and have to make 100 cupcakes with cream cheese frosting for a friend's wedding.

I love the cream cheese icing I found on this site. Just type in Decorator's Cream Cheese under the recipe tab. It is great and since it has shortening and lots of sugar it can sit out for a long time. I use it for wedding cupcakes. If you are just looking for a basic cream cheese and your not worried about leaving it out for a long time my favorite recipe is this: 1 stick butter, 1 block cream cheese, 1 C. powdered sugar and 1 tsp. vanilla. Mix the fats and vanilla until soft (they should be at room temp) Sift the powdered sugar in and mix until combined. It is so good. It's a little soft at first so I stiffen it in the fridge and then pipe it on my cupcakes. HTH

My cream cheese recipe is

2 packages of cream cheese
2 sticks of butter
2 lb powdered sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
pinch of salt

I mix the cc and butter until smooth, add the vanilla and sugar, and then slowly add the sugar. I mix until nice and fluffy.

It is soft, but will give you a nice swirl.

i love the icing from the food network, bobby flay cupcake challenge, just go to www.foodnetwork.com and search bobby flay and the recipies should be there it is wonderful my family loves it

I used the crusting cream cheese frosting for a flag cake for the 4th of July. It was very tasty and worked quite well.

I love the crusting cream cheese recipe from here.