A Tangy-Sweet Goat Cheese Frosting for All Your Favorite Bakes

We've teamed up with Vermont Creamery to share a customizable formula for fluffy, tangy-sweet frosting using their lineup of award-winning Goat Cheese Log flavors. When mixed with powdered sugar and a pinch of salt, these smooth, fresh-tasting goat cheeses become your dessert’s ultimate plus-one—perfect for frosting cakes of all kinds.

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By now it’s no secret that goat cheese is so much more than just a charcuterie board staple; it works wonders in savory dishes and even baked goods, like these salty-sweet snacking cookies and this flaky pastry for berry galettes. But I’ll admit that goat cheese frosting, an idea I first came across in Emma Laperruque’s Big Little Recipes cookbook, took me by surprise—when I tried it myself, I realized I had definitely been missing out. Goat cheese frosting’s tangy, distinct flavor adds a pizzaz and oomph that buttercream and cream cheese frosting lack. Plus, its smooth, creamy texture is perfect for spreading on cake.

The frosting works best when you use a quality goat cheese, like the ones from Vermont Creamery, which are mild and milky-rich with just the right amount of tang. The biggest game changer, though, is this frosting's riff-ability—thanks to Vermont Creamery’s line of unique goat cheese logs. That means that with one base recipe, you have access to an entire roster of exciting frosting flavors (strawberry goat cheese frosting, anyone?).

The formula for this frosting is as simple as it gets. Just be sure that the goat cheese is at room temperature and that you sift any clumps of powdered sugar before whipping for the smoothest results. Here’s how to make it:

*Note: If making frosting with unflavored goat cheese, increase the powdered sugar to 2 cups (227 grams).

From this point, you can make small tweaks as needed: If the frosting is too thick, add ½ teaspoon whole milk at a time until you reach your desired consistency; if the frosting isn’t firm enough, stick it in the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes before using (you can even thin out the frosting with milk to make a goat cheese glaze). The recipe will yield about 1 cup of frosting—enough to lightly frost the top of a 9- by 5-inch loaf cake, an 8- by 8-inch snacking cake, or an 8-inch round cake. If you’re working with a 9- by 13-inch cake (or if you prefer to have more frosting on hand), double the recipe.

The best part about this frosting formula is that it works not only with classic goat cheese, but also with flavored goat cheese logs, as well. Vermont Creamery has plenty to choose from, like their Wild Blueberry, Lemon, and Thyme and (my personal favorite) the new Strawberry Spritz, a creamy, lightly sweet goat cheese studded with strawberry chunks. Simply follow the recipe above using a 4-ounce log in the flavor of your choice and—voilà—you have goat cheese frosting with built-in flavor that can be used on an array of cakes. (For an even more pronounced flavor and eye-catching color, you can whip in fresh ingredients that are featured on the label, like blueberries for an extra-blue, extra-pretty frosting.) Speaking of cake, the mix-and-match possibilities are endless, but these pairing ideas are sure to get you started.

Pound Cake + Cranberry-Orange Goat Cheese Frosting

The yogurt in this moist pound cake beautifully complements the tang of the goat cheese in the frosting, while the cake’s maple undertones go hand-in-hand with the zesty, spiced notes of cranberry, orange, and cinnamon. Both homey and festive, this cake-and-frosting pairing is the best of both worlds.

The cake: Maple Yogurt Pound Cake
The goat cheese flavor: Cranberry, Orange & Cinnamon

Herbed Ricotta Cake + Lemony Blueberry Goat Cheese Frosting

Substitute thyme for rosemary (and omit the figs) in this delightful ricotta cake and you’ll make good use of this blueberry, lemon, and thyme-flavored frosting that’s perfect for spring. Thyme sugar and a dash of lemon zest in the cake echo the goat cheese without veering into sensory overload, and a handful of fresh blueberries sprinkled on top rounds out the dessert.

The cake: Ricotta-Rosemary Cake
The goat cheese flavor: Wild Blueberry, Lemon & Thyme

Pistachio Cake + Honey Goat Cheese Frosting

Goat cheese and honey is always a winning combo, making this frosting extremely versatile—though its sweet, tangy simplicity pairs especially well with cakes that have a more complex flavor profile. Case in point: this moist, aromatic cake featuring pistachios, Meyer lemon, ground cardamom, and a splash of rose water.

The cake: Pistachio Cake With Lemon, Cardamom & Rose Water
The goat cheese flavor: Clover Blossom Honey

Chocolate Cake + Strawberry Goat Cheese Frosting

Whether it’s a special occasion or not, this ultra-chocolaty cake with strawberry-spiked goat cheese frosting will give you reason to celebrate. The rich, decadent cake features a double-dose of chocolate, making it the ideal complement to the fruity, sweet-tart frosting (think: chocolate-covered strawberries, but even better). To take it over the top, garnish slices of the frosted cake with fresh strawberries or a shower of colorful sprinkles.

The cake: World’s Best Chocolate Cake
The goat cheese flavor: Strawberry Spritz

Customize It

To add your own flair to goat cheese frosting, make the recipe using classic goat cheese and whip in spices, zests, or extracts of your choice—just be sure to begin with a small amount of flavoring and add more to taste. Finely grated lime zest (pair with Pineapple-Coconut Cake), espresso powder (perfect for Banana Cake), and chocolate malted milk powder (try it with Double-Vanilla Butter Cake) are only a few options to get the ball rolling.

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What’s your favorite frosting-and-cake combo? Tell us in the comments below!

Our friends at Vermont Creamery know a thing or two about producing the very best goat cheese. They've been making it since 1984, when a special dinner featuring Vermont-made products brought together cheese-maker Allison Hooper and Bob Reese, who was working for the Vermont Department of Agriculture. All of Vermont Creamery's goat cheese products—from their creamy Classic Goat Cheese to the brand-new Strawberry Spritz Goat Cheese Log—begin with fresh goat's milk cheese, distinguished by its bright taste, mild flavor, and smooth texture. Ready to stock up? Find your nearest retailer, right this way.