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Home » Fillings & Frostings

Published: Aug 6, 2021 · Modified: Feb 20, 2024 by Blair Braz · This post may contain affiliate links · 3 Comments

American Buttercream Frosting

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I have used this American Buttercream Frosting on so many cakes, cupcakes, and other sweet treats that I have lost count. #ProfessionalBakerProblems. It's usually tucked into a recipe card with the cake it belongs to, but today is the day that this classic recipe gets its own post!

American Buttercream Frosting swirled on top of a chocolate chip cookie
American Buttercream Frosting swirled on top of a chocolate chip cookie

Why You'll Love American Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

  • Easy to make with a stand mixer.
  • Easy to work with and the flavour and colour possibilities are endless!
  • It's sweeter than Swiss Merinque Buttercream and forms a crust that is perfect for decorative techniques (just like the flowers below).
  • It's a favourite among bakers due to the simplicity of the recipe and the process.
American Buttercream Frosting was used to decorate this cake, which has frosted daisies, roses, and puffs.
American Buttercream Frosting was used to decorate this cake, which has frosted daisies, roses, and puffs.

American Buttercream Frosting Ingredients:

You can make this simple, yet classic frosting with only five ingredients.

  • Unsalted Butter (you can use unsalted plant based butter to make it vegan)
  • Powdered Sugar
  • Salt
  • Pure Vanilla Extract*
  • Heavy Cream (omit for vegan buttercream)

*I use Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extract from Vanilla Blossom Flavours for all my baking now – you can use the code BBB2021 to receive 15% off of your order!

How To Make American Buttercream Frosting:

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer or using a medium bowl and an electric hand mixer, beat butter on high speed until smooth and light in colour (3-5 minutes). Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  • With the mixer on low speed, add powered sugar one cup at a time. Mix until combined. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl. Add in salt.
  • Next add in the vanilla and heavy cream. Mix until combined. Scrape down the sides.
  • Mix on medium to high for 4-5 more minutes until buttercream is light and fluffy.

See? This is a piece of cake! 😉

American Buttercream Frosting is the base for this lemon buttercream topped lavender cupcake.
American Buttercream Frosting is the base for this lemon buttercream topped lavender cupcake.

FAQs and Other Great Questions

My buttercream seems really firm, how do I fix it?

Whip your buttercream using the paddle attachment for longer. You can also add in a touch more heavy cream to soften it up.

My buttercream looks yellow, why?

This can occur when you don't whip your butter long enough. It's important to whip your butter until it is light and fluffy before adding in your powdered sugar. As the butter whips, it will become lighter in color. Make sure to use butter that is light in color. Depending on the brand of butter, some are more or less yellow.

Does this buttercream crust?

Yes, American buttercream does crust over. Once you apply the buttercream to your cake or cupcakes it will firm up and create an outer crust. Once the crust has formed it is difficult to make changes to the buttercram.

How do you store American buttercream?

You can store it at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days. You can store it in the freezer for up to 3 months if you keep it in an airtight container.

If I've made it in advance, how do I prepare it to use?

Remove your buttercream from the freezer and place on the counter to thaw. Once it has thawed, whip it using the paddle attachment on high until light and fluffy. Turn your mixer to low speed and mix for 5-6 minutes with the paddle attachment to remove any air bubbles.

More Recipes You'll Love

  • Luscious Lavender Lemon Cupcakes
  • Creamy Biscoff Cookie Butter Frosting
  • Icing Cakes For Beginners Made Easy!
  • Fresh Mango Cupcakes

When you make this recipe, take a photo and tag BAKED by Blair on social media – don’t forget to add #bakedbyblair! I would love to hear how you enjoyed the recipe, so comment below! If you want to pin this recipe and save it for later, go ahead and click the pin button above and save it to your favourite desserts board on Pinterest! ENJOY!

American Buttercream Frosting

Blair Braz
This classic American Buttercream Frosting can be used to decorate cakes, cupcakes, and other sweet treats!
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 1 batch

Equipment

  • Stand Mixer
  • Rubber Spatula
  • Measuring Utensils

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups unsalted butter, at room temperature, use plant based unsalted vegan butter to make vegan
  • 5½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 3 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, from Vanillablossoms, Inc.
  • 2 tablespoon heavy cream omit if making vegan buttercream

Instructions
 

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer or using a medium bowl and an electric hand mixer, beat butter on high speed until smooth and light in colour (3-5 minutes). Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  • With the mixer on low speed, add powered sugar one cup at a time. Mix until combined. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl. Add in salt.
  • Next add in the vanilla and heavy cream. Mix until combined. Scrape down the sides.
  • Mix on medium to high for 4-5 more minutes until buttercream is light and fluffy.

Notes

To make this American buttercream frosting vegan, simply omit the heavy cream and use a plant based unsalted butter. 
Keyword American Buttercream

More Fillings & Frostings

  • Gingerbread Dip
  • Ultimate Recipe for Cinnamon Cupcakes
  • 8 Ideas for an Easy Marshmallow Fluff Dessert
  • Almond Raspberry Cupcakes

Reader Interactions

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Carey says

    January 19, 2022 at 3:01 am

    5 stars
    Fabulous ABC!
    It is light, fluffy and adds the perfect pairing with the chocolate cake! It is a great base to create new buttercream flavors. My husband said I nailed buttercream after making Blairs recipe.

    Reply
    • Blair Braz says

      January 19, 2022 at 5:01 pm

      Wahoo!!!

      Reply

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