For decades, our family has been making this amazing 5-minute cream cheese frosting. It is our go-to easy frosting recipe. Every time we make pumpkin bars or carrot cake, this is our frosting of choice.
In mixing bowl, use a mixer to mix together softened butter and cream cheese. 2-3 minutes. Make sure to scrape the bowl occasionally.
Add the vanilla, 1-2 teaspoons of the milk or heavy cream, then add half of the powdered sugar, mix. Add the rest of the powdered sugar and mix again, until smooth and creamy. 2-3 minutes.
This frosting is enough to spread on 24 cup cakes, frost an 8 or 9-inch layered cake, or frost a half sheet pan of bars. See the recipe notes for adjusting the frosting for a thicker or thinner texture. Also, if using this in hot weather, there is a trick to help this frosting keep its shape.