what is the best cream cheese to buy for cakes?

[Roseannie]

I have never used cream cheese so have no idea which brand to buy to make a frosting for a carrot cake.Is it 'Philadelphia' I need to get or something different?

Philly works fine - full fat, not light.
So does Co-op own brand.

(NB I have been known to replace the butter in biscuit recipes with Philly when the butter ran out. That worked as well....)

I've used waitrose and tesco full fat as well as philadelphia. All worked well.

Mascarpone.

Philadelphia contains guar gum to give it an extended shelf life. I like mature cheese, but cream cheese doesn't need a a nuclear half life.

Thanks all of you.I know feel equipped to go and buy and some cream cheese.Mmm, now whether to go for philly type ones or mascarpone...a lot of recipes seem to suggest mascarpone-I wonder what is the difference in taste between the two?

Mascarpone is less dense than Philadelphia and I find it spreads better, especially on sponge cakes. You can also use it in a piping bag if you're looking for pretty effects.

It is slightly sweet though, so you don't get that nice sharp but sour contrast that you get with a Philly frosting.

Just buy one with the highest fat content you can. As soon as you add icing sugar the cheese softens. Low fat ones liquefy.

Thanks so much...so helpful