Nope, cream cheese frosting and buttercream are NOT the same thing. They may both be popular for jazzing up cakes and cupcakes, but they've got their own unique qualities. Buttercream is all about the butter, plus some powdered sugar and tasty flavorings like vanilla extract. It's smooth, buttery, and sweet, adding a rich layer of decadence to your treats. You've got two main types: American buttercream, which is quick and easy, and Swiss meringue buttercream, which is decidedly fussier on account of needing to temper egg whites. Cream cheese frosting is a different beast altogether, especially if you make this no-butter recipe. While the method is similar to making American buttercream, this 3-ingredient cream cheese frosting is entirely butter-free, leaving it with a slightly different (though still dreamy) consistency.