Cream Cheese Icing

 

Ingredients

• 8 ounces vegan cream cheese*, bring to room temperature
• ½ cup vegan butter sticks, bring to room temperature (4 ounces)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla paste
• pinch of sea salt
• 3 cups to 4 cups of powdered sugar, sifted (480g for 4 cups)
• 1/4 cup cornstarch, sifted (32g)

Directions

1. In the bowl of a mixer, beat the butter and cream cheese together for about 2 minutes until fully incorporated.
2. Add in the vanilla extract or paste and the pinch of salt. 
3. Add in a cup of sifted powdered sugar and all of the sifted cornstarch. Mix for about 1 minute or until incorporated. Add in the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time until the frosting has reached the desired thickness.
4. Place the frosting wrapped or covered into the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight, until being used. You can enjoy it right away, but it will thicken up beautifully in the fridge.
5. You can apply it immediately to a cooled cake, then place in the fridge, or place the frosting itself, then apply to the cake later. Enjoy!

Notes

• For the best results, ensuring you're using vegan cream cheese, not cream cheese spread. A brand like Tofutti or Violife will give you the best results, but don't panic if all you can find is cream cheese spread! You can still use it and it will still taste delicious, and it will still get very thick in the fridge but it will not be as thick outside of the fridge. I tested both and to be honest, the easy fix is to just keep it in the fridge and whatever Cake you're using in the fridge too! If you're making my pumpkin sheet cake, it tastes deliciously moist in the fridge for days anyway! 
• Ensure that you let the frosting thicken up in the fridge either before or right after applying it to your fully cooled cake or treat. The frosting really thickens up nicely in the fridge and you can either make it ahead or make it, apply it, then let it all sit together to meld together nicely. 
• Start with vegan cream cheese and vegan butter at the same temperature. I like to set them both out of the fridge for at least 20 minutes to come to room temperature around the same temperature.
• Taste test your frosting along the way! Start with the 3 cups and cornstarch, then see if you want the extra cup of powdered sugar. It does help to thicken up the end result more, but it's up to your taste based on how tangy you want it.

Credit: https://jessicainthekitchen.com/vegan-cream-cheese-frosting-recipe/