American Buttercream
The classic American Buttercream. Whipping cream adds a luscious creamy flavor to this easy to make frosting, making a perfect topping to use with any cake or cupcake recipe. You can substitute other flavors such as almond or mint in place of the vanilla for a delicious variation. This recipe makes about 3½ cups frosting.
Recipe type: Dessert | Cake Frosting
Prep time:
Total time:
Recipe Notes
Equipment: Electric Mixer Method: Electric Mixer or By Hand Yield: 3½ Cups Storage: Refrigerate or Freeze
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TheBakingPan Recommends: The BEST instant read thermometer I’ve used for cooking and baking; the ThermoWorks Splash-Proof Super-Fast Thermapen Thermometer is incredibly fast,
accurate, and well worth the investment. I use my Thermapen Thermometer for checking room temperature ingredients, tempering chocolate, baking bread, making pastry creams, sugar syrup, caramel, and candy, cooking meats and fish, and deep frying. Thermapen Thermometer available here.Ingredients
Frosting:
- ¾ cup (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup whipping (heavy) cream
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 4¼ to 4½ cups confectioners (powdered) sugar
Instructions
Frosting:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine butter, whipping cream, vanilla, and salt. Use an electric mixer and beat together until mixture is combined, don’t worry if the mixture looks curdled. Add 4¼ cups powdered sugar; beat 2 to 4 minutes or until frosting is thick and fluffy. Add additional ¼ cup powdered sugar if necessary to make a good spreading consistency.
- Use an offset spatula, or use a pastry bag and decorating tip to pipe the frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake.
- Cover unused frosting tightly or place in an airtight container. Frosting can be stored in the refrigerator up to two weeks. Rewhip frosting when ready to use to bring it back to a fluffy texture, adding a small amount of milk or cream if necessary.
Republished 9-9-2018 to update recipe name. Old name: Sweet Cream Frosting. New name: American Buttercream.