American Buttercream Frosting

4.83 from 23 votes

American Buttercream Frosting

I love this recipe, because it is simple, very versatile and everyone always loves it. This recipe is a blank canvas with endless possibilities. I have listed some of my favorite variations in the notes at the end of the recipe.

Depending on what you add in for flavorings, it can range from very sweet to moderately sweet.

This recipe makes enough to frost one 2-layer cake, 24 cupcakes or one quarter-sheet cake (9x13).

Mixing the frosting for a full 10 minutes is key to its texture and mouth feel.

Prep Time5

Mix Time10

Total Time15

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Buttercream, Frosting

Servings: ounces

Calories: 150kcal

Author: Alina Eisenhauer

Equipment

Electric Mixer

Ingredients

4 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature ½ cup)
4 ounces shortening (½ cup)
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 pound confectioners' sugar (3¾ cups)
Flavorings or your choice*
3-4 tablespoons water

Instructions

In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the butter, shortening and vanilla. Mix on low speed until smooth and creamy.
Scrape down the bowl and add the confectioners' sugar. Mix approximately two minutes until well combined.
Increase mixer to medium speed, and mix for 10 minutes, scraping down the bowl at least once.
Add additional flavorings if using.
Add water, one tablespoon at a time, until frosting is your desired consistency. If you are using liquid flavorings such as pureed fruit, juice or liquor, add them before adding the water -- you may not need any.

Notes

Variations:

Add flavorings in after the full 10 minutes of mixing. Continue to mix, scraping down the bowl as needed, until well combined.

Chocolate Buttercream:

Add six ounces of dark chocolate, melted and cooled until barely warm to the touch.

Peanut Butter Buttercream:

Add six ounces of peanut butter.

Fruit Flavored Buttercream(s):

Omit the water, and add four ounces of pureed fruit -- frozen fruit works fine as long as you thaw it a bit before pureeing. My favorites are raspberry, blackberry and peach.

Lemon Buttercream:

Omit the water, and add two ounces fresh lemon juice.

Margarita Buttercream:

Omit the water, and add one ounce of gold tequila, one ounce of lime juice, the zest of a small lime and food coloring (if desired).

Other fun ideas....

Bailey's Irish Cream, coconut cream, mint extract, maple syrup and/or maple extract, champagne, red wine.... have fun and be creative.

Nutrition