My American buttercream recipe has got that fluffy, airy, light thing going on without being too sweet. When I don’t have a ton of time, I can whip it up and pipe on cupcakes or dollop on cookies. I like to call it my fave beginner frosting because literally anyone can nail it. Let me show you how.
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American Buttercream Ingredient Notes
- Unsalted Butter: Go with a high fat brand with high quality.Brands like Land O Lakes, KerryGold, and Plugra are my faves. You can also use salted. Just leave the salt out.
- Confectioner’s Sugar: You can make homemade powdered sugar with granulated sugar if you don’t any.
- Heavy Cream: Half-and-half also works.
- Flavoring: Pick what you want. I used vanilla here.
How to Make American Buttercream
Step 1: Add your softened butter and salt to the mixer and beat on medium-low speed. Turn the mixer down to low and slowly add the confectioner’s sugar in small portions. Once it’s all added, turn the speed to medium-high and beat until fully combined.
Step 2: Add the heavy cream and vanilla. Mix until the buttercream is nice and fluffy. If you are adding food coloring you can do it now.
Perfect American Buttercream Frosting Recipe
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 3 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 2 tbsp heavy whipping cream
- 1 ½ t pure vanilla extract
- Optional: Food coloring
Instructions
- In your stand mixer, add butter and salt at medium low speed.
- Next turn the mixer down to low and slowly add confectioner’s sugar in small portions until all is added then turn the speed to medium high to combine.
- Add heavy cream and vanilla extract and mix until nice and fluffy. Add in food coloring at this point if desired.
- Pipe buttercream on room temperature cupcakes, cake, cookies or whatever you desire and serve it up.
Video
Notes
How to Store American Buttercream
You can keep American buttercream at room temp for about 2 days. Just make sure you keep it covered or stored in an airtight container to keep it from drying out.How long will it last in the refrigerator?
It should be all good in the fridge for up to 6-7 days.Can I freeze ?
Absolutely boos. Just transfer the buttercream to an airtight container removing all air and freeze for about 3 months. Don’t forget to add a label with the date you froze to the packaging. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using again. I like to give it a whip when it comes to room temp in the mixer before piping.Nutrition
Recipe Tips
- Room Temp boos!! Make sure the butter is soft so it can whip until fluffy.
- Don’t skimp on the mixing! Allow the mixing process to continue on high for a few minutes so the buttercream is fluffy!
- Fully cool cakes, cookies, and cupcakes before adding the frosting.
Serving Suggestions
- Cookies: Spread on simple sugar cookies, tea cakes or shortbread cookies.
- Cakes: Try it with white cake, devil’s food cake, simple birthday chocolate cake, yellow cake recipe and even lemon cake.
- Cupcakes: Try it out on strawberry cupcakes, vanilla cupcakes, and chocolate cupcakes.
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I'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
They’re Lovin’ It! Here’s what They’re Sayin’:
“This is a wonderful buttercream! Thank you so much for sharing. It has been one of the most delicious – not too sweet, not too greasy- frostings. The texture is amazing and is incredibly easy to decorate with.”
—ELLEN
Recipe Help
It is best to keep it somewhere cool until you’re ready to serve. If you know the cake will be out and exposed to sun or heat such as on a warm day you are better off using a different type of buttercream with more stability.
Absolutely boos! It will last at room temp for a couple of days and in the fridge for up to a week. Just whip a little before using if it is super cold to get it nice and fluffy.
More Frosting Recipes
- Oreo Frosting
- Caramel Frosting Buttercream
- Swiss Meringue Buttercream
- Chocolate Frosting
- Seven Minute Frosting
- Cream Cheese Frosting
- Chocolate Buttercream
This recipe was originally published January 2018. It has been updated with new images and content.
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The best buttercream frosting ever and easy.
So glad you enjoyed this!
This might be one of the best buttercream / icing recipes I’ve tried!! It was creamy, sweet and had the best consistency. I used it to top cupcakes I made for my kids this week!
I love this classic and versatile frosting for cakes, cupcakes, and other baked goods. Yours looks wonderful!
wow this buttercream Recipe looks so delicious! pinned for later for all my baking needs! Your pictures are so gorgeous!
Sounds easy quick and yummy too. Perfect recipe for my next celebration cupcakes. Kids to feast on it for sure.
This buttercream is so easy to make and is perfect for all my cakes and cupcakes.
Your recipes have been the perfect base to my vision. I just recently started my home bakery and I want to give the feel of deserts our grandmas use to make! Thank you thank you thank you ❤️❤️❤️