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Homemade Buttercream Recipe

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This amazing homemade buttercream recipe is the perfect frosting for cakes, bars, and cupcakes for the most delicious treat topping. You will love how easy this is to make and how tasty it is.

If you aren’t sure what to put this on, try it out on my homemade funfetti cake, or even swap out my cream cheese frosting for this one on my Carrot Cake Recipe.

piped buttercream in a jar

Buttercream

Buttercream is a light and creamy frosting made with softened butter, powdered sugar, and cream. Classically egg yolks would be used to help make it lighter and fluffier as well as add structure. There are many ways to flavor this frosting and can be used as a filling or frosting for cakes and pastries.

The simplicity of this recipe that can greatly enhance and sweet treat cannot be understated. This will not only help add some sweetness, but it can also add fat which means flavor to the treat.

Ingredients and Substitutions

  • Butter – Use softened unsalted butter for this recipe.
  • Sugar – Powdered sugar is what you’ll need.
  • Vanilla – Use good vanilla for this.
  • Cream – Cold heavy whipping cream will help to thin out of it gets too thick.
ingredients to make buttercream

How to Make Buttercream from Scratch

Use these simple-to-prepare instructions for making this delicious buttercream frosting:

Add the softened butter to a stand mixer with the paddle attachment and whip on medium to high speed for 2 to 3 minutes.

whipping butter in a stand mixer

Next, turn the speed to low and slowly add the powdered sugar, then turn the speed to high and whip for 5-7 minutes or until it becomes light and fluffy.

adding powdered sugar to buttercream

Add in vanilla and mix until combined.

adding vanilla to whipped buttercream

Ice a cake, pipe it onto some cupcakes, or chill until ready to serve.

icing a cake with buttercream

Make-Ahead and Storage

Make-Ahead: You can make this up to 3 days ahead of time.

How to Store: Cover and keep in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.  You can freeze this covered for up to 3 months.  When thawing you may need to re-whip.

Chef Billy Parisi

Chef Notes + Tips

  • You can use salted butter, just be sure not to add any more to it.
  • If the frosting is too thin, add more powdered sugar. If it is too thick, thin with a small amount of whipping cream.

More Dessert Topping Recipes

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Let's Cook - Chef Billy Parisi

Homemade Buttercream Recipe

5 from 1 vote
This amazing homemade buttercream recipe is the perfect frosting for cakes, bars, and cupcakes for the most delicious treat topping.
Servings: 12
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 2 ½ sticks softened unsalted butter
  • 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
  • optional heavy cream

Instructions

  • Add the softened butter to a stand mixer with the paddle attachment and whip on medium to high speed for 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Next, turn the speed to low and slowly add in the powdered sugar.
  • Turn the speed to high and whip for 5-7 minutes or until it becomes light and fluffy.
  • Add in vanilla and mix until combined. See chef notes on thinning or thickening it.
  • Ice a cake, pipe onto some cupcakes, or chill until ready to serve.

Notes

Make-Ahead: You can make this up to 3 days ahead of time.
How to Store: Cover and keep in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.  You can freeze this covered for up to 3 months.  When thawing you may need to re-whip.
You can use salted butter, just be sure not to add any more to it.
If the frosting is too thin, add more powdered sugar. If it is too thick, thin with a small amount of whipping cream.

Nutrition

Calories: 100kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 0.002gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.04gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 0.4mgSodium: 1mgPotassium: 1mgSugar: 25gVitamin A: 5IUCalcium: 0.4mgIron: 0.02mg
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, French

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