Instructions

1. Lightly pack the brown sugar and add it to the mixing bowl. We usually use Light Brown sugar but if you are looking for a deeper, richer taste you can try Dark Brown Sugar.  One important trick, make sure you sift out all the tiny brown sugar stones before you add the brown sugar to the mixing bowl. They will clog a decorating tip and are unappetizing to eat.  Lightly pack the brown sugar and add it to the mixing bowl.
2. Add the butter, softened cream cheese, and vanilla extract to brown sugar in the mixing bowl. The butter needs to be what we call “slightly softened” which is somewhere between straight out of the refrigerator and room temperature.
3. Mix together on medium speed until thoroughly combined (at least 2 minutes.)  You really want the brown sugar to dissolve and meld with the butter to enhance the flavor of the frosting and get rid of any graininess in the frosting. The brown sugar does add a crystal-like texture to this frosting.  The frosting is definitely more like cookie dough than regular frosting but it is a pleasing taste.
4. Use a spatula to scrape the butter mixture down from the sides of the bowl before moving on to the next step.  
5. Add the Powdered Sugar to the mixing bowl.
6. Start your mixer (or electric beater) on the lowest setting and keep it on low until the butter and sugar are incorporated (about 30 seconds). Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl and then increase the speed to medium-high and mix for another 30-45 seconds so the frosting gets light and fluffy.
7. Taste the frosting. You are tasting to determine taste (does it need more vanilla or brown sugar?) and consistency (is it too thin or too thick?)  (Two Sisters note about Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting … it is a thin frosting.  It will never be a frosting that is pipeable or will crust up like buttercream. That being said, as you can see in our pictures, you can do a swirl.) The first thing you should do before using the frosting is put it in the refrigerator for an hour or so, that will help the butter and cream cheese firm up.  Another thing to try if the frosting is too thin is to add EITHER 1/2 cup of powdered sugar or 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.