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Home » Frosting » Lemon Buttercream

Published: May 20, 2017 · Modified: Jun 30, 2020 by Kathy · This post may contain affiliate links

Lemon Buttercream

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A cupcake with a swirl of frosting on top.

Lemony buttercream frosting is perfect for cakes or cupcakes. This lemon frosting is bursting with fresh lemon flavor and compliments lemon cake perfectly. 

Cupcakes topped with a swirl of frosting.

Last week I posted my recipe for lemon curd. This week lemon buttercream frosting. There is definitely lemon in the air around my house! This frosting is the perfect topping for lemon cupcakes.

Table of Contents
Tips for making lemon frosting
Will this buttercream hold up in warm temperatures?
Other buttercream frostings
Lemon Buttercream Frosting
Tips for making lemon buttercream frosting

Tips for making lemon frosting

  • Make certain your butter is at room temperature. I usually let mine sit out on the counter for at least one hour before I will use it.
  • Begin whipping your butter first, before adding other ingredients. This helps make certain your butter is nice and creamy.
  • If your powdered sugar is lumpy, sift it through a sieve before using. The lumps don't disappear when you add the powdered sugar to the butter.
  • Always add the lesser amount of recommended liquid. Sometimes you won't need to add any additional liquid or your buttercream will be too runny.
  • If buttercream is too thick, just add a bit more lemon juice.
  • If it's too runny, add a bit more powdered sugar.
  • This buttercream recipe does not hold up well in the heat. If it's too warm for a stick of butter to hold its shape, the buttercream won't hold its shape either.
  • Refrigerate buttercream as needed. Just let it come back to room temperature before using.
  • Use fresh squeezed lemon juice and don't skimp on the zest.

A platter filled with lemon cupcakes topped with frosting.

Will this buttercream hold up in warm temperatures?

This buttercream is made with all butter and it holds up best at room temperature. If the temperature turns too warm this frosting will begin to soften and sag. You can store buttercream in the refrigerator to help keep it's shape.

If you need a firmer buttercream, you can use ½ butter and ½ Crisco. The flavor will change slightly, but your frosting will be a bit more stable. 

This lemon frosting is perfect for cupcakes or  a yellow cake. The burst of lemon will keep your taste buds happy. 

Other buttercream frostings

In addition to this lemony buttercream frosting, I also make chocolate buttercream  pumpkin spice butter cream and regular buttercream frostings.

 

Don't forget to PIN for later!A row of cupcakes topped with lemon swirled frosting.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop

Check out all my dessert recipes!

Lemon Buttercream Frosting

Lemon Buttercream Frosting

Kathy
Lemony buttercream frosting perfect for adding to cupcakes or cakes.
4.88 from 16 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 10 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 2 cups
Calories 283 kcal

Equipment

  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Stand Mixer
  • Zester
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup butter (salted) (softened)
  • 2 Tablespoons lemon zest
  • 1 pound powdered sugar (about 4 cups)
  • 2-4 Tablespoons lemon juice (fresh squeezed)

Instructions
 

  • Place butter in bowl of a stand mixer. Mix until soft and creamy. 
    1 cup butter (salted)
  • Mix in lemon zest. 
    2 Tablespoons lemon zest
  • Mix powdered sugar into butter one cup at a time. 
    1 pound powdered sugar
  • Mix in lemon juice 1 tablespoon at a time. 
    2-4 Tablespoons lemon juice

Notes

Keep leftover frosting covered in fridge for up to a week. Bring to room temperature and stir before using.
If you need a firmer buttercream, you can use ½ butter and ½ Crisco. The flavor will change slightly, but your frosting will be a bit more stable. 
 

Tips for making lemon buttercream frosting

  • Make certain your butter is at room temperature. I usually let mine sit out on the counter for at least one hour before I will use it.
  • Begin whipping your butter first, before adding other ingredients. This helps make certain your butter is nice and creamy.
  • If your powdered sugar is lumpy, sift it through a sieve before using. The lumps don't disappear when you add the powdered sugar to the butter.
  • Always add the lesser amount of recommended liquid. Sometimes you won't need to add any additional liquid or your buttercream will be too runny.
  • If buttercream is too thick, just add a bit more lemon juice.
  • If it's too runny, add a bit more powdered sugar.
  • This buttercream recipe does not hold up well in the heat. If it's too warm for a stick of butter to hold its shape, the buttercream won't hold its shape either.
  • Refrigerate buttercream as needed. Just let it come back to room temperature before using.
  • Use fresh squeezed lemon juice and don't skimp on the zest.

Nutritional Disclaimer:

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Calories: 283kcalCarbohydrates: 38gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 135mgPotassium: 4mgSugar: 37gVitamin A: 475IUVitamin C: 2.2mgCalcium: 6mg
Keyword buttercream, buttercream frosting with lemon, lemon buttercream, lemon buttercream frosting
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @BeyondTheChickenCoop or tag #beyondthechickencoop!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Swathi says

    June 27, 2019 at 8:11 pm

    5 stars
    I too like lemony buttercream rather vanilla cream. It is not only delicious but it gives me summery feel. That is perfect frosting recipe.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      June 28, 2019 at 4:34 am

      The lemon really is summery! Thanks 🙂

      Reply
  2. Ramona says

    June 26, 2019 at 1:38 pm

    5 stars
    Both myself and my daughter love anything lemon. She is such a good little baker, she will love making these this weekend!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      June 26, 2019 at 7:45 pm

      I love that your daughter loves to bake! And I agree - I love everything lemon!

      Reply
  3. Leslie says

    June 26, 2019 at 8:17 am

    5 stars
    Oh my gosh! This recipe is so perfect! My BFF LOVES lemon buttercream and her bday is in two weeks! She's gonna love this! Thanks so much!!!

    Reply
  4. Heidy L. McCallum says

    June 26, 2019 at 7:39 am

    5 stars
    You have made me one happy girl! I made this the other day and it turned out perfect. I have been looking for a Buttercream frost like my great grandmother made and yours is the closest I have found. So thrilled!

    Reply
  5. Fred G says

    December 05, 2018 at 6:14 am

    5 stars
    Hmmmm, good

    Reply
  6. Pamela (BrooklynFarmGirl) says

    May 26, 2017 at 2:16 pm

    Yum! It looks so good!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 31, 2017 at 4:41 am

      Super buttery and lemony! It just doesn't get any better. 🙂

      Reply
  7. stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cottage says

    May 25, 2017 at 4:46 pm

    Wow, first lemon curd, now lemon buttercream? Just fine by me, I could eat lemon all day long. This buttercream looks indulgent! Take care.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 31, 2017 at 4:44 am

      It gets even better....lemon cupcakes! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Ashley@CookNourishBliss says

    May 25, 2017 at 12:04 pm

    haha lemon in the air is always a good thing!! This buttercream sounds sooo good! And such a perfect flavor for warmer weather!

    Reply
  9. Jessica @ Citrus Blossom Bliss says

    May 25, 2017 at 11:12 am

    5 stars
    I love love love this lemon buttercream & that it's made with just a few ingredients. I love making chocolate buttercream with just powdered sugar, milk and cocoa powder. Sometimes simple is just the BEST! This buttercream would be amazing on a cupcake I'm sure!

    Reply
  10. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    May 25, 2017 at 7:31 am

    YES! Gimme all the lemon flavored everything! Especially buttercream frosting! This looks absolutely delicious! I could honestly eat this frosting with a spoon! Cheers, friend!

    Reply
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A cupcake with a swirl of frosting on top.
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I'm Kathy, a busy working mom who loves to cook from scratch, grow a garden, and raise farm animals. Take a look around and find all my recipes, gardening tips, and country living antics.

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