I am using the decorators cr. cheese frosting recipe for the first time. I got it here on cc. My question is it does not call for meringue powder. I always use this to help frosting crust over. Do I need it with this frosting. Please help!

The cream cheese icing recipe I have doesn't call for it either and it crusts just fine. It does seem to take a little longer to me than regular butter cream. I did add the powder once and it was fine you just might have to add a little more of whatever liquid you use. I use heavy whipping cream.

thanks I guess I will add - can't hurt.

thats the recipe I use too and it always crusts fine w/out merengue powder

Meringue powder does NOT cause crusting in icing. Crusting is caused by the ratio of powdered sugar to fat in the icing. Meringue powder is a new addition to the Wilton buttercream recipe. It was added when Crisco and other vegetable shortening manufacturers began to remove the transfats from their product. The meringue powder helps the other ingredients emulsify, which, without the transfats in the shortening, was not working.

In short, cream cheese frosting does not need meringue powder.

Wow, that's really good to know. Thanks for the info