Everybody loves frosting. It’s the icing on the cake, literally, and frankly sometimes I could take or leave the cake itself. At Taste of Home, we’ve shared dozens of recipes for frosting from scratch, and one of my absolute favorites (and one of the easiest of the bunch) is strawberry buttercream frosting. It’s rich yet fluffy and not too sweet, with a delightfully creamy butter base. Here’s how to make it yourself.
(In a rush? We tasted store-bought frostings to find the best.)
How to Make Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
You’ll need:
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 3-1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1/4 cup seedless strawberry jam
- 2 tablespoons 2% milk
- Hand-held mixer
Step 1: Whip the Butter
Place the butter in a deep bowl. (Didn’t have time to soften the butter? Here’s how to do it, quick.) With your mixer, beat the butter until it becomes fluffy and pale yellow.
Test Kitchen tip: Beating the butter on its own allows you to achieve a smooth, creamy consistency that’ll make it easier to incorporate the rest of your ingredients.
Step 2: Add the Sugar
Carefully pour the confectioners’ sugar into the bowl (if you dump it too fast, it may create a very sweet mushroom cloud over your countertop, according to a friend of mine). If the sugar is clumping together, you can sift it over the bowl; if not, don’t bother with the extra dish.
Beat the sugar into the butter.
Step 3: Add Jam and Milk
Pour in the jam and milk and beat until smooth. If the frosting is too thick, add a bit more milk.
Test Kitchen tip: You can use other types of jam to flavor the frosting. We love strawberries, but raspberry, blueberry, cherry…you can’t lose.
Step 4: Enjoy!
We doubt you’ll have trouble finding ways to eat strawberry buttercream frosting. But just in case, it’s marvelous on this strawberry cake. And may we point out that lemon cupcakes are a natural pair for strawberry buttercream?
Top the frosting with sliced fresh strawberries for a delicious and decorative touch.
Test Kitchen tip: Need to make the frosting in advance? Pop your covered bowl in the fridge, and simply beat the frosting again before using.
Love frosting? These cakes are basically excuses to eat it by the plateful.
You'll spend less than a half hour whipping up this cure-all cake that starts with a mix. Sour cream and chocolate pudding make it rich and moist, and chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate make it decadent comfort food at its finest. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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After trying a few buttercream frosting recipes, this easy buttercream frosting takes the cake with its unmatchable homemade taste. With a few simple variations, you can come up with different colors and flavors. —Diana Wilson, Denver, Colorado
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My husband loved his Mamaw's strawberry cake recipe. He thought no one could duplicate it. I made it, and it’s just as scrumptious as he remembers. —Jennifer Bruce, Manitou, Kentucky
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For every occasion that calls for chocolate frosting, keep this fudgy recipe close by. With just five ingredients from the pantry, you’ve got magic in minutes. —Linda Schend, Kenosha, Wisconsin
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This is a wonderful recipe I discovered and changed a bit to suit my taste. I love the flavor of pumpkin and the cinnamon makes ordinary cream cheese frosting extra special. When I made a batch for my husband to take to work, he said they disappeared in record time. —Debbie Wiggins, Longmont, Colorado
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Filled with a homemade cranberry curd and smothered with one of the fluffiest frostings you've ever had, this tall cake will make a memorable impression at any gathering. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington
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Whenever I take this eye-catching torte to a potluck, I get so many requests for the recipe. —Edith Holmstrom, Madison, Wisconsin
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This maple-flavored cake with candied walnuts honors my grandpa, who made maple syrup. —Lori Fee, Middlesex, New York
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Cherry cola and marshmallows make a zippy chocolate dessert that is scrumptious topped with vanilla ice cream. — Cheri Mason, Harmony, North Carolina
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This dark, moist cake is perfect for birthdays. The basic buttery frosting has an unmatchable homemade taste. With a few simple variations, you can come up with different colors and flavors.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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A luscious, chocolate-studded cannoli filling separates the tender vanilla layers of this rich cake, which starts with a package mix. It’s best when served well chilled.—Antoinette Owens, Ridgefield, Connecticut
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If you love a moist and creamy cake, this is it. Lemon juice and lemonade give the layers a tangy touch, and the cream cheese frosting with sprinkles makes it pretty. —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Guests just love these yummy white cupcakes that are topped with a cream cheese frosting. The strawberry-blueberry garnish makes them the perfect treat for a patriotic-themed party on Memorial Day or Fourth of July. —Judy Kenninger, Brownsburg, Indiana
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Pound cake and chocolate make the best marble cake. — Ellen Riley, Birmingham, Alabama
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Catch your honey red-handed this Valentine's Day with a batch of these confections. Our family loves these filled cupcakes. They disappear in a day. —Betty B. Claycomb, Alverton, Pennsylvania
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I look forward to August because our family reunion means fun and great food, like this classic cake with the special flair it gets from pineapple. My great-aunt gave me this recipe, and I always make it for the reunion. —Victoria Casey, Enterprise, Oregon
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For a distinctive dessert with unforgettable flavor, I recommend this cake. Feel free to substitute your favorite jam and lend your own touch to this signature treat. —Lisa Bogar, Coventry, Vermont
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A few simple ingredients make a creamy frosting that finishes cakes, cupcakes and cookies. If you love making desserts, keep this frosting recipe handy. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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My mother made this cake for my brothers and me when we were kids. It's an excellent choice for potlucks any time of year. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
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To say this cake is elegant would be an understatement. It’s worthy of special occasions, but so easy to whip together you can enjoy it any day of the week. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Simple vanilla frosting is a great topper for any cupcake. I frosted 300 cupcakes with this recipe for my wedding in lieu of a traditional cake. It made for a delicious bridal twist. — Annie Rundle, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Our family has enjoyed this pretty layered cake for years. It's a favorite for many occasions. —Barbara Humiston, Tampa, Florida
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My husband adores coconut but not so much cake. When I take this beauty to family potlucks, he gets his coconut, too. —Sharon Rehm, New Blaine, Arkansas
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Put the crowning touch on cupcakes with this rich and buttery Amaretto topper. —Anette Stevens, Olds, Alberta
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Coffee mixed into the batter makes this moist layer cake even more special. Garnished with fresh berries and chocolate curls and this chocolate raspberry cake looks like it came from a bakery. —Tammy Bollman, Minatare, Nebraska
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The post How to Make Strawberry Buttercream Frosting appeared first on Taste of Home.
Kelsey Rae Dimberg
