Food & Cooking Recipes Dessert & Treats Recipes Cream Cheese Frosting for Carrot Cake 5.0 (1) Close All you need are four ingredients (cream cheese, butter, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla) to make this irresistible frosting for a carrot cake. It's a classic cream cheese topping that takes just a few minutes of mixing—then it's ready to spread. You can also make it up to three days ahead; refrigerate until you need it. Directions With an electric mixer, beat butter and bar cream cheese, both at room temperature, until smooth. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla extract; beat until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Use immediately, or cover and refrigerate up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before using.