American Buttercream
American Buttercream is a basic buttercream that is made of butter and powdered sugar. This is the most easiest way to make a frosting at home with simple ingredients. I have to be honest, this is my least favorite frosting as it is very sweet for my taste. However, this buttercream is very stable and used in many desserts. I love to use this cream to make flowers. More detailes how to make buttercream flowers you can check in Hydrangea flowers post.
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How to make American Buttercream
In the mixing bowl of stand mixer using pedal attachment, beat the butter on medium high speed for a few minutes or until smooth. Scape the sides and bottom of the bowl with the spatula half way through. Add sifted powdered sugar and mix on low speed until sugar is incorporated. I like to sift powdered sugar before using in my dessert to avoid any clumps.
Tips from Marina: place a kitchen towel over your stand mixer as you add powdered sugar to prevent it from splattering out.
Then add vanilla extract or paste and pinch of salt. Increase speed to medium-high and continue beating until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
If the buttercream is too dry add some heavy cram or milk and whip again. If buttercream is too soft, add more powdered sugar. Transfer buttercream into piping or keep covered at all the times because it can start to dry and form crust very fast.
Tips for making American Buttercream
- add large pinch of salt to balance the sweetness of the buttercream.
- use good quality butter. Salted or unsalted butter is your personal preference.
- butter should be room temperature, then buttercream will be light and fluffy.
- heavy cream or milk can be substituted with hot boiled water in this recipe.
How to store
Store American Buttercream in air-tight container in refrigerator for up to 1 week. You can also freeze this buttercream in air-tight container for up to 3 months. Thaw the frozen buttercream in the fridge overnight, bring to room temperature and whip it again until fluffy.
Can I flavor American Buttercream
Yes, add about 1-2 tablespoon additional ingredient such as fruit puree, juice, peanut butter, etc. Strawberry Buttercream, for example, is perfect for cupcake for macarons. Brown Butter Buttercream is very delicious to eat with the spoon. Check Camila’s blog with many buttercream recipes for macarons.
Can I color American Buttercream
Absolutely. Add gel food coloring or oil based. This cream is perfect to pipe flowers. Wilton has many amazing food coloring for that.
If you make this American Buttercream, please tag me on social media and make sure to leave a rating down below. I would love to see your creations! Check also other recipes:
- Fourth of July Macarons
- Lemon Macarons
- Brown Butter Buttercream Macarons
- Swiss Meringue Buttercream
- Flowers Macarons
American Buttercream
Equipment
- 1 stand mixer or electric hand mixer
- 1 Fine mesh sieve
- 1 spatula
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter 226 gr
- 2 cups powdered sugar 400 gr sifted
- 2 tsp heavy cream or milk if needed
- 1 tsp vanilla extract or paste
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- In the mixing bowl of stand mixer using pedal attachment, beat the butter on medium high speed for a few minutes or until smooth.
- Scape the sides and bottom of the bowl with the spatula half way through.
- Add sifted powdered sugar and mix on low speed until sugar is incorporated.
- Then add vanilla extract or paste and pinch of salt.
- Increase speed to medium-high and continue beating until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
- You can add food coloring if you like.
- If the buttercream is too dry add some heavy cram or milk and whip again. If buttercream is too soft, add more powdered sugar.
- Transfer buttercream into piping or keep covered at all the times because it can start to dry and form crust very fast.