This American buttercream recipe is straight up frosting goals, whipped up to absolute perfection. It’s got that fluffy, airy, light thing going on without being too sweet. It’s just sweet enough boos. Whether you pipe it on cupcakes or add a dollop to your fave cookie, this American buttercream frosting has got the ultimate versatility to be a hit!
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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
I have a ton of cake and cupcake recipes on this website so having a versatile frosting that works in a pinch but still taste unreal is necessary. When I don’t have a ton of time, I can whip up this American buttercream in a flash making folks weak in the knees. I like to call it my fave beginner frosting because literally anyone can nail it.
And the best part is its versatility ya dig? You can use it for any and everything whether you want to frost shortbread cookies, or whether you want to ice a simple birthday chocolate cake or yellow cake recipe. Make this frosting recipe your bff.
The Lowdown of The Best American Buttercream Frosting Recipe
Cuisine Inspiration: American Classic
Primary Cooking Method: Mixing
Dietary Info: Gluten-Free; Can be made Dairy-Free with ingredient swaps
Key Flavor: Creamy, Fluffy and Sweet
Skill Level: Easy y’all (No Sweat Fam!)
Straight Up No-Fuss
We whip up this buttercream with just five ingredients and the easiest instructions ever. It ain’t hard at all boos. Trust me, you can pull this off in mere minutes.
Light and Super Fluffy
Baby, this American buttercream frosting is like a cloud for your tastebuds. The smooth fluff factor is undefeated.
Versatility on Lock
Whether you whip up a bowl for hooking up your cake or cupcake recipes, this American butter cream goes with anything and everything y’all.
Ingredients You’ll Need to Make American Butter Cream
- Unsalted Butter: Y’all this is the most important ingredient so make sure you go with a high fat brand with high quality. Higher fat butter has less water content. Brands like Land O Lakes, KerryGold, and Plugra are some of my faves.
- Salt: We add just enough to balance flavors and enhance the sweetness.
- Confectioner’s Sugar: This fine sugar dissolves into the butter easily making sure it whips to perfection. You won’t taste the granules because of the fineness.
- Heavy Cream: Heavy whipping cream is my big secret when it comes to lightening the texture and flavor of the buttercream. Just a hint adds to this buttercream giving it lightness and texture like whipped cream.
- Flavoring: I rely on pure vanilla extract when I’m making my basic recipe because that aromatic essence is the truth!
How to Make American Buttercream
How to Use American Buttercream
- Cookies: Spread this American frosting on simple sugar cookies or tea cakes.
- Cakes: It works great on any cake you can think of! Try it with white cake, devil’s food cake, and even lemon cake.
- Cupcakes: Try it out on strawberry cupcakes, vanilla cupcakes, and chocolate cupcakes.
Recipe Substitutions
- Butter: If you don’t have unsalted butter, use salted butter instead. Just leave out the salt in the mix boos.
- Confectioner’s Sugar: You can make homemade powdered sugar with granulated sugar if you don’t any.
- Heavy Cream: Since it’s just a little used, you can leave out if you don’t have any around or use half-and-half for a similar vibe.
- Vanilla: Feel free to up the vanilla essence with vanilla bean paste or use another extract you prefer.
Recipe Variations and Additions
- Dairy-Free: Swap out the butter for your fave plant-based butter and use a creamy coconut milk or oat milk cream replacement for the heavy cream.
- Citrus: Add zest and extract with your favorite citrus flavors. Lemon and orange taste delish!
- Coconut It Up: Add coconut extract to your frosting then sprinkle sweetened shredded coconut lightly over the top of your frosting after adding it to your desserts.
- Switch Up the Color: Use your favorite food coloring to add some pops of colors. If you are trying to create bright, vibrant colors, grab the gel food coloring instead of liquid boos.
- Add some sprinkles: This is best after frosting your cupcakes or cake but it’s an easy way to make it a bit more festive.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Room Temp boos!! This will allow the butter to be whipped into a fluffy texture and will also allow the sugar to melt into it perfectly y’all.
- Don’t skimp on the mixing! Allow the mixing process to continue on high for a few minutes! It gives more lift and helps the sugar to truly dissolve into the butter allowing it to become one. It also airs more air making everything much more fluffy!
- Have fun with flavors and colors. After whipping cream is mixed into the frosting you can in extracts, flavorings, or food coloring.
- Fully cool cakes, cookies, and cupcakes before adding the frosting.
How to Store American Buttercream
You can keep American buttercream at room temp for about 2 days in a cool area. 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. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
It tastes sweet yet not too sweet and very light and fluffy.
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 of the Best Frosting Recipes
- Oreo Frosting
- Caramel Frosting Buttercream
- Swiss Meringue Buttercream
- Chocolate Frosting
- Seven Minute Frosting
- Cream Cheese Frosting
- Chocolate Buttercream
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
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 ❤️❤️❤️