So, I've run across a Paula Deen cream cheese frosting recipe and it sounds yummy. I'm making a cake for a friend's birthday this weekend and she loves cream cheese. I was seriously thinking about trying this icing out, but I still want to decorate the cake and was wondering how well cream cheese frosting holds up for working on. Can I color it just like buttercream frosting? Does it crust any?

You can color it just like buttercream. You can do some decorating with it, but when you manipulate cream cheese in a piping bag, the temperature from your hands will cause it to soften even more so you have to work quick and refrigerate often. I wouldn't do a lot of elaborate tips, the detail won't be as crisp, but for a scalloped edge, definitely.

All my cakes are buttercream that have cream cheese in it.
I decorate with it and pipe with it and it tastes great.
I don't know what Paula Deen's recipe is but mine is 2 sticks of real butter,
1- 8 ounce box of cream cheese (both softened and creamed well in mixer)
Slowly add 2 lbs powdered sugar. Add a touch of salt if needed.

I get rave reviews from customers for this frosting and it's easy to work with.
Crusts great too.

@akaivyleaf- that's what I was wondering. I figured it might get a little too soft.

@carmijok- your recipe is pretty similar. Her's uses a little less sugar. I think 2lbs comes out to 8 cups and her recipe uses the same amount of butter but only 6 cups of sugar.
Thank you both soo much for the input.

This is my favorite cream cheese frosting recipe to decorate with and it does crust.

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
16 ounces cream cheese, softened
3 1/2 pounds powdered sugar
1 tablespoon pure vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt