• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Mama Loves to Eat
  • About Me
  • Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About Me
  • Recipes
    • Facebook
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About Me
    • Recipes
    • Facebook
  • ×

    Easiest American Buttercream Frosting

    May 2, 2022 · Leave a Comment

    Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This site also accepts sponsored content

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This frosting is a key to all things delicious! This American Buttercream Frosting is sweet, creamy, and smooth. It is also the simplest and easiest way to make frosting in minutes to use for any cakes, cookies, or desserts that you have.

    American Buttercream Frosting cake on a white plate.

    The Best American Buttercream Frosting

    If you are needing a quick and easy frosting, this deliciously sweet buttercream is perfect for you. Buttercream is one of the creamiest frostings out there and it is super simple to make. It is even easier to use on whatever desserts you may have, whether you need to frost, decorate, or fill.

    What Is Buttercream?

    Buttercream is a soft and delectable combination of powdered sugar and butter to make the perfect filling or frosting for any kind of dessert that fits.

    Mama Loves to Eat Group

    Have you joined the Mama Loves to Eat Facebook Group yet? Get loads of delicious recipes. Share you favorites and find new ones.

    Join Mama Loves to Eat on Facebook

    American Buttercream Frosting On A Cake

    This frosting is a great choice for using as a filling or to coat a cake. Use this to make a thin or thick layer of frosting around your cakes as well as for decorating. If you want a thicker layer of cake, I recommend increasing the amount of frosting by a half.

    Buttercream Frosting On Sugar Cookies

    Buttercream on sugar cookies is super good and it's a great frosting for when you need to add detailed decorations to your cookies because it firms up very well.

    The Best Buttercream Recipe Variations:

    One of my favorite things about buttercream is that it can be transformed into almost any flavor for whatever your baking needs are. Here is a list of some great flavors that can be added to flavor your buttercream for cakes, cookies, etc.

    • Vanilla - Add an additional teaspoon of vanilla for a more vanilla flavor.
    • Chocolate - Add in ½ sifted cup of unsweetened cocoa powder. For a thicker
    • Caramel - Add ⅓ to ½ cups of homemade caramel sauce or store-bought.
    • Strawberry - Add a 1-ounce bag of freeze-dried strawberries to a blender and crush into a powder.
    • Orange - Add 2-3 tablespoons of orange juices with 1 teaspoon of orange zest.
    • Coconut - Add 2-3 teaspoons of coconut extract.
    • Mocha - Add in ½ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder with ½ cup of instant coffee.
    • Maple - Add ⅓ cup of maple syrup with 1 teaspoon of maple extract.
    • Lemon - Add ½ cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice with 1 tablespoon of lemon zest.
    • Mint - Add ½ teaspoon of mint extract.

    Can American Buttercream Frosting Be Made Into Almond Buttercream Frosting?

    Yes! you can turn this delicious white buttercream frosting into almond buttercream by replacing just one ingredient. Instead of using vanilla for this recipe, I will have you replace it with almond extract.

    How To Make A Less Sweet American Buttercream Frosting:

    American Buttercream tends to be a quick and easy recipe that many people know how to make. However, for some people, it can be too sweet. So, here is a few tips I have for you to make this buttercream less sweet.

    Lemon Juice: Adding just a bit of lemon juice to replace some of the milk can cut that sweet flavor in half.

    Less Sugar: This may seem like an obvious choice, but using less sugar can help. If you are worried that your frosting may end up tasting too much like butter, you can substitute it with some shortening.

    Heavy Cream: Whip up some heavy cream and add it to the frosting. This can help to dilute the sugar a bit.

    Salt: Adding a pinch of salt to the buttercream can help cut the flavor, but be sure to not add too much. You want just enough to balance the flavors out.

    Cream Cheese: Substitute a tablespoon or 2 of the butter with cream cheese and adjust it to your liking. Keep in mind that this can change the texture of the frosting to a much softer version.

    The cake with American Buttercream Frosting on a table.

    Why Is My American Buttercream Frosting Grainy?

    Grainy buttercream is a no-no! Your frosting might come out grainy if you have used the wrong kind of sugar. I make sure to use a cane sugar confectioner's sugar because it melts faster when it's beaten. Another reason is that you forgot to sift your sugar. When baking, it is always important to do so.

    How To Fix Grainy Buttercream?

    You can fix your grainy frosting by first, mixing a bit longer. This may help to break up those small lumps or pieces of sugar. Another option could be to add some more milk and let it sit overnight if you can to allow the sugar crystals to melt.

    How To Make Buttercream Frosting For A Cake

    You can thicken the American Buttercream by keeping it in the fridge for a bit without having to add any more of the ingredients. If you are fine with a sweeter frosting, you can add additional powdered sugar to help thicken it right away.

    A piece of the American Buttercream Frosting taken out of the cake.

    Does White Buttercream Need To Be Refrigerated?

    No, this buttercream frosting doesn't need to be put into the fridge. You may think that because it contains milk it would need to be. But, the powdered sugar helps stabilize the small about of milk.

    Can You Freeze White Buttercream Frosting?

    Yes! You can freeze your American Buttercream. Not only is this a lifesaver for when you need some frosting or a filling, but it's also great for extending the shelf life of the recipe.

    How To Store American Buttercream Frosting?

    You can keep your buttercream in an airtight container or Ziploc bag for the best storage method. This recipe can be kept at room temperature, in the fridge, or freezer depending on how long you need it.

    A fork lifting up an American Buttercream Frosting coated cake.

    Key Ingredients You'll Need

    Get the full list of ingredients, with measurements, and step-by-step directions at the bottom of the post in the printable recipe card.

    Butter

    Powdered Sugar

    Vanilla Extract

    Milk

    How To Make Buttercream Frosting

    This is the easiest and most simple way to get the best frosting you will ever have. Follow these quick steps to get you the perfect frosting in minutes.

    Step 1. Beat the butter in a mixing bowl.

    Beating the butter.

    Step 2. Sift the sugar, add to the butter, and combine.

    Sifting in the sugar.
    Combining the ingredients.

    Step 3. Pour in the vanilla and combine.

    Adding in the vanilla.

    Step 4. Add the milk and combine until smooth.

    Adding in the milk.

    More Incredible Recipes:

    • Slow Cooker Lava Cake
    • Caramel Apple Dip
    • Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake
    • Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Dip
    • Creamsicle Fluff Dip
    • Cherry Cheesecake Dip
    • Old Fashioned Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
    A cake with American Buttercream Frosting.
    Print
    Easiest American Buttercream Frosting
    Prep Time
    10 mins
     

    This frosting is a key to all things delicious! This American Buttercream Frosting is sweet, creamy, and smooth. It is also the simplest and easiest way to make frosting in minutes to use for any cakes, cookies, or desserts that you have.

    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: American Buttercream Frosting
    Servings: 2 cups
    Ingredients
    • 1 cup butter unsalted, room temperature
    • 4 cup powdered sugar sifted
    • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¼ cup milk whole
    Instructions
    1. In a large mixing bowl, add in the butter and beat it using a handmixer until smooth and creamy.
    2. Using a sifter, sift your powdered sugar into the beaten butter and combine until smooth.
    3. Pour in the vanilla extract and combine again until fully incorporated.
    4. One tablespoon at a time, gradually add in the milk and combine again until you reach your desired consistency.

    More Recipes

    • Apple Pie on a white plate.
      Easy Apple Pie
    • Dessert topped with sprinkles.
      Summer Cupcakes
    • up close of caramel apple dip
      Caramel Apple Dip
    • Classic Yellow Cake topped with chocolate frosting.
      Classic Yellow Cake Recipe

    Recipes

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Tips for Picky Eaters
    • Your Instant Pot is for a LOT more than just getting dinner on the table FAST! It can make moist cakes and delicious desserts, like this Instant Pot Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake! Just dump, stir, dump, stir, pour, and GO!
      Instant Pot Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake
    • The cake recipe with a red and white striped cloth.
      Lemon Poppy Seed Coffee Cake
    • A cake layered with chocolate buttercream frosting.
      Decadent Chocolate Cake

    Latest Posts

    • Apple Pie on a white plate.
      Easy Apple Pie
    • Tips for Picky Eaters
    • Your Instant Pot is for a LOT more than just getting dinner on the table FAST! It can make moist cakes and delicious desserts, like this Instant Pot Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake! Just dump, stir, dump, stir, pour, and GO!
      Instant Pot Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake
    • Dessert topped with sprinkles.
      Summer Cupcakes

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Media Kit
    • FAQ

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Mama Loves to Eat

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkNoRead more
    Revoke Cookies