Once you start making your own frosting, you will never want to go back to store bought frosting!
This is the best buttercream recipe you will find, and it is simple and easy to follow. This buttercream is also known as “American Buttercream.” I recommended a stand mixer, but if you only have a hand mixer, that is fine; just be prepared for a bit of an arm workout!
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This is the latest cake I decorated with this best buttercream recipe:
Check out my vanilla cake recipe here.
Best Buttercream Recipe
This is the best tutortial and recipe you will find for American Buttercream! I use this recipe for all of my cakes and cupcakes. I highly recommended using a stand mixer, but if you only have a hand mixer, that is fine; just be prepared for a bit of an arm workout!
Ingredients
- 2 Cups (4 Sticks) Unsalted Butter - Room Temp (454 g)
- 1 TSP Vanilla Extract (6 g)
- Pinch of Salt
- 4-6 Cups of sifted Powdered Sugar (480 g - 720 g)
- 2 TBSP Milk (30 g)
- Optional: Gel Food Coloring
Instructions
- Let the butter sit out for 1-2 hours to become softened and room temp. If your kitchen is warm, you can shorten this time to probably 30 minutes to an hour.
- Let the milk sit out for about 10-15 minutes, depending on the temp of your kitchen.
- When the butter is softened and room temp, add it to your stand mixer, and mix it on low for 10 minutes to get it fluffy and white. This step is crucial if you want your buttercream to be white and not have a yellow tint from the butter.
- While the butter is being mixed, start sifting your powdered sugar, so there won’t be any lumps in your final product.
- After the butter has mixed for 10 minutes, if it’s the desired white, continue to the next step. If not, you can mix it for 2 more minutes.
- Gradually add in the 4 cups of sifted powdered sugar and mix on medium. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure everything is incorporated.
- Add in the milk, vanilla extract, and pinch of salt.
- Once powdered sugar and other ingredient are fully mixed together, taste it to see if it’s to your liking. 4 cups of plenty sweet for many people, but if you want it sweeter, gradually mix in the additional powdered sugar in half-cup increments.
- Taste as you go, and be sure to make note of how much sugar you used, so you can reuse that measurement next time.
- Optional: Add in your food coloring now. If this is your first time using food coloring, check out the notes for tips.
- Once the buttercream taste is to your liking, set your mixer to the lowest setting, and let it run for 10-15 minutes to get it smooth.
Notes
Food coloring tips: I recommended gel food coloring because it will not alter the buttercream consistency like liquid-based food coloring would. If this is your first time using food coloring, gel food coloring is usually concentrated; so add one or two drops at first, then mix to see how it comes out before adding more. Or if it’s a container: I like to dip in a toothpick, get the coloring half-way up the toothpick, then dip the toothpick into the buttercream. Mix and repeat until you get your desired color.
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