Definition: a tangy frosting of cream cheese, butter and icing sugar — the classic partner to red velvet and carrot bakes.
Cream cheese frosting is all about balance: the tang of the cheese against the sweetness of the sugar, with butter for body. The one thing to know is that it loosens easily, so treat it gently. Usefull-fat cream cheese (cold), beat the butter smooth first, then add the cream cheese and icing sugar and mix only until pipeable — overbeating, or warm ingredients, turn it soupy. Chill it briefly if it softens while you work.
In practice: cold, full-fat, and minimal mixing keep it thick enough to pipe.
Related:creaming,crumb coat.