Tessa’s Recipe Rundown
TASTE: Perfect level of sweetness without being cloyingly sweet.
TEXTURE: I love how creamy this frosting is! It has a velvety, silky texture that can’t be beat.
EASE: Super easy. This frosting comes together in just a few minutes.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE: With so many customization options, your cakes and cupcakes are about to be more delicious than ever.
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This is my go-to best buttercream recipe for layer cakes and cupcakes: smooth, creamy, and easy to pipe without being overly sweet or gritty.
It’s a classic American buttercream frosting recipe made with simple ingredients, a carefully balanced ratio, and kitchen tested troubleshooting tips so it works every single time.
American buttercream gets a bad reputation for being too cloying or hard to pipe. But that’s usually a ratio or technique problem.
After testing multiple batches with different butters, brands of sugar, and mixing methods, my version consistently produces a smooth, pipeable frosting that tastes balanced instead of sugary.
Reader Love
Made this buttercream for my niece’s fifth birthday–it was perfect. Tripled it and was able to frost 50 cupcakes! Didn’t realize how important sifting the powdered sugar was–texture was so smooth! Definitely my go-to recipe!
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Sprinkle of Science
Buttercream Types: Which One Should You Use?
Before diving in, it helps to know not all buttercream is the same.
- American Buttercream (this recipe): Made with butter and powdered sugar. Sweet, quick, and sturdy. Best for beginners and decorative piping.
- Swiss Meringue Buttercream: Egg whites + sugar cooked and whipped, then butter added. Silky and less sweet, but more technical.
- Italian Buttercream: Hot sugar syrup whipped into egg whites, then butter. Very stable, great for warm conditions.
- French Buttercream: Uses egg yolks for richness. Softer and custard-like.
- Cream Cheese Frosting: Not exactly a buttercream, but made of rich dairy product and sugar all the same.
If you want the easiest, fastest option, American buttercream is the best place to start.
Ingredient Notes
There’s only a handful of ingredients, so each one matters!
Powdered sugar: Also called confectioners’ sugar. For the smoothest texture, choose an organic powdered sugar with tapioca starch instead of cornstarch, which can add a gritty texture. Sifting is essential for a smooth texture!
Unsalted butter: Use butter that’s cool but pliable (about 67°F). Too warm = greasy frosting; too cold = dense instead of fluffy. If using salted butter, cut the salt in the recipe in half.
Salt: Don’t skip! It balances flavor.
Vanilla extract: Use real vanilla for the best flavor. For an upgrade, try using vanilla bean paste!
Heavy cream or milk: Cream creates a richer mouthfeel, while milk makes a slightly lighter frosting. Either will help smooth out the buttercream for easier spreadability.
How to Make the Best Buttercream (Step-by-Step)
- Cream the butter. Beat the butter on medium speed with the paddle attachment (not the whisk — that’ll create more air bubbles!) until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. It should look pale and spreadable, not shiny or greasy.
- Add the powdered sugar gradually. Add the sugar on low speed in batches to prevent is from making a mess.
- Adjust the consistency. Add cream or milk a tablespoon at a time until the frosting is smooth and pipeable. The frosting should form soft peaks that hold their shape.
- Flavor and finish. Add vanilla and salt, then beat on low to medium speed until fluffy.
Storage & Make Ahead
Room temperature:
Buttercream can sit out safely for up to a day, if your kitchen is cold.
Refrigerator:
Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Bring to room temperature and re-whip before using.
Freezer:
Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then beat until smooth.
Flavor Variations
You may need to adjust the powdered sugar ratio depending on your flavor preferences and adjust the cream ratio depending on your texture preferences.
- Chocolate: Add 1/2 cup sifted unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Strawberry: Add 1/3 cup seedless strawberry preserves and a few drops of red food coloring.
- Raspberry: Add 1/3 cup seedless raspberry preserves and a few drops of red food coloring.
- Mocha: Add 1/2 cup sifted unsweetened cocoa powder and 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder.
- Chocolate Malt: Add 1/2 cup sifted unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 cup malted milk powder, and use 1/4 cup milk, plus more if needed.
- Peanut Butter: Add 1 cup creamy peanut butter and reduce the powdered sugar to 2 1/2 cups.
- Irish Cream Buttercream: Use Bailey’s Irish Cream instead of cream.
- Kahlua: Add 1/2 cup sifted unsweetened cocoa powder and 1/2 cup Kahlua in place of the cream.
- Mint: Add 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract and a few drops of green food coloring.
- Nutella: Add 2/3 cup Nutella and reduce powdered sugar to 2 cups.
- Lemon (or any other citrus): Add 2 tablespoons lemon zest and 3 tablespoons lemon juice and increase powdered sugar to 3 1/2 cups.
- Pumpkin: Add 1/2 cup pure pumpkin puree and 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, remove cream.
- Salted Caramel: Add 1/3 cup caramel sauce, remove cream, and increase salt to 1 teaspoon (if your caramel sauce isn’t salted).
The Best Buttercream
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Ingredients
- 3 cups (375 grams) powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 sticks (227 grams) unsalted butter, at a cool room temperature
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 to 2 tablespoons heavy or whipping cream
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the sugar and butter. Mix on low speed until well blended and then increase the speed to medium and beat for another 3 minutes.
- Add the salt, vanilla, and cream and beat on medium speed for 1 minute, adding more cream if needed.
STORAGE:
- Transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let come to room temperature and re-whip in the stand mixer until light and fluffy again. Add a tablespoon or 2 of powdered sugar if it needs to thicken.
Recipe Notes
More Recipes You’ll Love:
This post was published in 2021 and updated in 2023 with new photos and recipe improvements. Photos by Joanie Simon.
Hi Tessa, I just tried your frosting recipe and it was great! Ive tried another one that required to cook sugar,flour,cornstarch, over stovetop and it was also very good. I love both recipes and will use these ones all the time. Will have to try the different flavors as well. For your recipe I used vanilla bean paste and it turned out just as good as extract. I love that you can see the little specks of bean in it. You can buy this online or I bought it at a bulk store in Canada. I have yet to try the REAL vanilla bean. Next time. Thanks for the recipe and video.
Hi Tessa love love you buttercream, plus all the ideas you can do with is I am love to bake even though I have no training I just take the recipes and follow the instructions correctly. I have a question in your comment on the buttercream recipe you stated that this recipes can be double for an 8 and 9 in cake when it comes to doubling recipes I am NOT good at it. could you please help how to double this for a cake without me making to separate buttercream. Oh also for a 10 in cake. Thanks and keep it up.
Hi. Enjoyed watching your video. I will be trying to make regular buttercream hopefully it comes out. Can I substitute the whipping cream for something else?
Hi Tessa love love you buttercream, plus all the ideas you can do with is I am love to bake even though I have no training I just take the recipes and follow the instructions correctly. I have a question in your comment on the buttercream recipe you stated that this recipes can be double for an 8 and 9 in cake when it comes to doubling recipes I am NOT good at it. could you please help how to double this for a cake without me making to separate buttercream. Oh also for a 10 in cake. Thanks and keep it up.
What if you don’t have a paddle attachment.
Loved watching the Valentine’s cake video and this one on the buttercream frosting too.
Can’t wait to make them both!
You do a fantastic job with this site.
Keep up the good work!
Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed!
Tessa, you have the patience of a saint ;). AND a great recipe. Thank you!
My only question is regarding refrigeration after icing your cake/cupcakes because of the cream. If I’m making a cake for a party chances are it’s not going to be able to fit in the fridge until it’s served. I’ve always been concerned about this. And my buttercream has always turned out sickeningly sweet based on general BC recipes I’ve tried. I’ll try this one with less sugar and hope for the best.
Tessa God Bless my question is what could I use instead of heavy whipping cream cause I hate to throw the rest away if I only use a few tablespoon of I how good will this hold up in very hot weather after making cupcakes can they be left on the kitchen counter ?
I loved watching you Demonstrate how to simply make your frosting. I look forward to more Info and amazing recipes. I love to bake but get frustrated when things don’t turn out the way you think they should etc… I feel as though all that’s about to change with watching your video.
I was up in the wee hours of the morning very sick with cough and cold. Now I’m glad I was. I found you, your video, and many lovely ideas of how to make my baking much more rewarding.
Thanks again,
Kim
hi,
just wondering if this taste like super butter? and is it too sweet? i want icing with less buttery and sweet. please help. thanks
Well since butter and sugar are the primary ingredients, yes it will taste sweet and buttery. You can always reduce the amount of sugar and use shortening instead of butter if you prefer.
Hello I wanted to know if this recipe melts. I make an awesome buttercream but i add shortening and it doesnt taste greasy it has a wonderful taste (per my customers) in the past i have tried making buttercream with out shortening but it eventually melts