Buttercream Frosting

A perfect buttercream frosting for cakes or cupcakes.

I do a lot of baking and bake a lot of cakes and cupcakes. Having a great buttercream frosting is a key element to any great cake or cupcake.  This is my go-to buttercream frosting recipe. This is for frosting a cake or piping swirls on cupcakes.

This buttercream is buttery and creamy.  It is perfect for piping and holds up under most circumstances. If I am making a cake in really hot or humid weather or if my cake has to be showcased outside, like in my sister’s wedding, I adjust this recipe with less butter and more shortening.

This recipe makes a fairly large amount of buttercream frosting. You can easily halve the recipe. I don’t like to run out midway through decorating so I usually make a full batch. Extra frosting can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to one week.  Bring to room temperature and stir before using.

Tips for Buttercream Frosting

• If your powdered sugar has lumps, sift before using.
• Do not over whip the frosting or you may get little air bubbles.
• Food coloring may be added after the frosting is completely mixed. I use gel food coloring rather than liquid food coloring. The colors are more vibrant and it won’t thin your frosting.
• This recipe may be doubled.
• For warmer weather use, decrease the amount of butter and replace with shortening.

I really prefer making my own frostings. I also have a Lemon Buttercream, a Chocolate Buttercream,  and a  Pumpkin Spice Buttercream. Having a variety of recipes makes it easy to match to your favorite cake or cupcake.

Here is a site that provides easy piping techniques. It’s fun to create your own designs. 

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Buttercream Frosting

Prep Time

15 mins

Total Time

10 mins

 

Buttercream frosting rich in taste and perfect for piping. 

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: buttercream frosting, buttercream recipe, cake decorating frosting, icing recipe

Servings: 2 cups

Calories: 584 kcal

Author: Kathy

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup shortening
• 2 pounds powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 3-4 Tablespoons milk

Instructions

1. In a stand mixer, cream butter and shortening together.
2. Mix in powdered sugar. I add half at a time, mix and then add remaining sugar. Mixture will be thick.
3. Add vanilla and 2 tablespoons of milk. Mix
4. Continue adding milk until desired consistency.

Recipe Notes

To make a frosting that will stand up to warmer weather, use 1/2 cup butter and 1 1/2 cups shortening.
If frosting is too thick, stir in a bit more milk. Just add a little at a time.
Coloring can be added after frosting is made. Just stir in amount of coloring you desire.
Keep left over frosting covered in fridge for up to a week. Bring to room temperature and stir before using.

Nutrition Facts

Buttercream Frosting

Amount Per Serving

Calories 584 Calories from Fat 288

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 32g 49%

Saturated Fat 14g 70%

Cholesterol 41mg 14%

Sodium 138mg 6%

Potassium 9mg 0%

Total Carbohydrates 75g 25%

Sugars 74g

Vitamin A 9.6%

Calcium 0.9%

Iron 0.3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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