Whipped Buttercream Frosting

Whipped buttercream frosting is a light and fluffy version of the traditional buttercream you know and love. This sweet, whipped buttercream is the perfect frosting for cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and brownies.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 7 minutes

Total Time 7 minutes

Servings or more cupcakes

Calories 237kcal

Author Heather

Equipment

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
4 cups confectioner's sugar sifted to remove lumps
⅓ cup heavy cream cold
⅛ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon almond extract * optional, see note below

Instructions

In a large bowl, add room temperature butter and beat with a hand mixer (or stand mixer) until creamy, about 1 minute.
Add confectioner's sugar and slowly mix until ingredients are fully combined. Then, whip at high speed for 2-3 minutes, or until light and fluffy.
Add heavy cream, salt, and vanilla extract (and optional almond extract) and whip for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Add additional heavy cream as needed to reach desired consistency.
Pipe or spread frosting with a knife onto cupcakes and serve.

Video

Notes

*Almond extract is optional. It gives your frosting a slightly elevated flavor, which I like to call 'fancy buttercream.' Great for wedding cakes and cupcakes.
Frosting will keep for 1 week in a sealed container in the refrigerator, or up to 3 months in the freezer. Bring to room temperature before spreading onto baked goods.
Recipe will make enough to frost up to 18 cupcakes with piped frosting, 24 cupcakes spread with a knife, a 9x13 sheet cake, a 13x18 sheet cake, or the top and middle of a round 8 or 9 inch 2-layer cake (leaving the sides bare). To frost the sides of a 2-layer cake, make an additional half batch of frosting.
Baked goods can be frosted the day before an event and left at room temperature in a sealed container. If you have a fully decorated cake or cupcakes with a fruit filling, I'd recommend refrigerating them overnight so they stay fresh longer.
Butter melts around 90 to 95 degrees, and so will your frosting. If your location is nearing this temperature, I'd recommend refrigerating your baked goods until an hour before you're ready to serve them. Refrigerating your frosted baked goods will not hurt them, but you will want to give them some time to come to room temperature before serving.

Nutrition