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    Home » How To (Cooking Techniques) » How to Make Buttercream

    How to Make Buttercream

    Jan 30, 2013 · by Valentina · 6 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Let's learn how to make buttercream! If you're a person who loves to bake, learning how to make buttercream is essential. This quick and easy buttercream recipe is tried and true, quick and easy, and incredibly delicious!Vanilla Buttercream in a pretty pink and white painted ceramic coffee mug.

    Are you a frosting person?  Or a cake person?  Both, perhaps?

    I'm both -- but, when it comes down to it, I'm going to be quite disappointed if I'm served a slice of cake that is absent of frosting. Or, even a slice of cake with too much cake and not enough frosting.

    I think everyone who's ever going to be baking cupcakes or cakes should know how to make buttercream.

    partially mixed buttercream in bowl with beaters

    Vanilla Buttercream is a Great Base for Other Flavors

    Here's the deal: once you have a good buttercream recipe -- it's not only delicious as is, but can also be a base for a plethora of other flavors.

    This super quick and easy buttercream recipe is as smooth as velvet and will absolutely melt in your mouth!

    Make it today! It only takes five minutes.

    I try to always have some of this quick and easy buttercream recipe in the freezer because I use it for just about every cake or cupcake I make.

    And learning how to make buttercream is simple!  And after you've made it a first time, every time thereafter will be second nature.

    whipped buttercream in bowl with beaters

    Changing the Flavor of  Vanilla Buttercream

    • Milk Chocolate - Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder while adding the powdered sugar.
    • Dark Chocolate - Fold in about ¼ cup of melted and cooled, dark chocolate at the end of the mixing process.
    • Nutella - Add ¼ cup mid-way through adding the powdered sugar.
    • Citrus - Add 1 tablespoon of finely grated zest at the end of the mixing process.
    • Berry - Add about ¼ cup macerated berries at the end of the mixing process.
    • Espresso - Add 1½ tablespoons instant espresso powder when you add the powdered sugar.

    The possibilities are endless.

    The above measurements are approximate -- you can experiment with them, adding more or less, depending on how strong you want the flavors to be. Be careful though, adding just a bit at a time, as the additions will change the consistency of the buttercream.

    buttercream in a spretty painted mug

    This Fresh Raspberry Cupcake recipe (pictured below) is fantastic with the vanilla buttercream.

    raspberry cupcake with buttercream and fresh raspberries

    Enjoy!

    vanilla buttercream in a ceramic mug with flowers

    Buttercream Recipe

    Valentina K. Wein
    Let's learn how to make buttercream! If you're a person who loves to bake, learning how to make buttercream is essential. This quick and easy buttercream recipe is tried and true, quick and easy, and incredibly delicious!
    Makes 4 cups / serving size: about 2 tablespoons per person
    Print
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 32

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
    • 6 cups powdered sugar
    • ½ cup half and half
    • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

    Instructions
     

    • Place butter in a very large mixing bowl, and add about half of the powdered sugar. Use an electric mixer to mix until smooth. Add the remaining sugar and blend until smooth.
    • Pour in the half and half and vanilla and beat for about 30 seconds -- it should be very smooth and spreadable.
    • At this point you can add color if desired.

    Notes

    If you want to add different flavors to the buttercream, you should add them along with the first round of powdered sugar.
    Calorie count is only an estimate.
    Keywords great for cakes, frosting recipes for cupcakes
    Have you tried this recipe?I'd love to see it on Instagram! Tag me at @cookingontheweekends or leave a comment & rating below.

    Save

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Judy at Two Broads Abroad

      January 30, 2013 at 7:19 pm

      Half and half nice addition. I would have never thought to add that. Can't wait for Friday.

      Reply
      • valentina

        January 31, 2013 at 10:55 pm

        Hope Friday meets your expectations! 😉

        Reply
    2. Colette

      January 31, 2013 at 8:34 am

      What a beaute!
      Love the mug, too.

      Reply
      • valentina

        January 31, 2013 at 10:56 pm

        Colette, I always love hearing from you! Thanks for the compliment on the mug -- I bought that in Sevilla, Spain in 1991! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Leanne

      February 11, 2014 at 3:19 am

      What is half and half?

      Reply
      • valentina

        February 11, 2014 at 6:31 am

        Hi Leanne -- Half & Half is a mixture of half cream and half milk. Thanks for visiting my site! 🙂

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Valentina, certified chef, owner, recipe developer and photographer at Cooking on the Weekends. I'm also a mom of two boys and a Los Angeleno. I use seasonal whole foods to create unique and comforting recipes for casual entertaining.

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