Go Back
–+ servings
Not-Too-Sweet Vegetarian Buttercream Frosting – vegetarian recipe
Stav Kogan

Not-Too-Sweet Vegetarian Buttercream Frosting

A rich, buttery, and incredibly flavorful frosting with a perfectly balanced sweetness. This easy-to-make buttercream is less sweet than traditional recipes, making it the perfect topping for cakes, pancakes, waffles, and more.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 8 Enough for one 8 or 9-inch layer cake
Calories: 155
Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients
  

  • 12 tablespoons (180 ml / 6.1 fl oz) / 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 1/2 cups (300 g / 10.6 oz) confectioners' sugar
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons / 90ml heavy cream or whole milk
  • 2 teaspoons (10 ml / 0.3 fl oz) pure vanilla extract
  • & Variations
  • For the smoothest, lump-free frosting, always sift your confectioners' sugar before adding it to the butter.
  • Your butter must be at room temperature—soft enough to indent with a finger, but not melted. This is the key to a light and fluffy texture.
  • Chocolate Variation: Add 2 ounces of melted and cooled unsweetened chocolate after adding about half the sugar. You may need slightly less cream.
  • Maple Variation: Substitute 1/2 cup (480 ml) of pure maple syrup for 1 cup (240 ml) of the confectioners' sugar and omit the vanilla. This is incredible on spice cakes and pancakes.
  • Honey Variation: Substitute 1/2 cup (480 ml) of honey for 1 cup (240 ml) of the confectioners' sugar and omit the vanilla. Perfect for a honey-spice cake.

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer or a fork to cream the softened butter until it's light and fluffy.
  2. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar and salt, alternating with the cream.
  3. Beat well after each addition until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
  4. Stir in the vanilla extract until just incorporated.
  5. If the buttercream seems too thin, refrigerate it for 15-20 minutes. It will thicken as the butter hardens. If it's too thick, add another splash of cream until you reach the desired consistency.

Nutrition

Calories: 155kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 0.2gFat: 10g

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!