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.
Love frosting? These cakes are basically excuses to eat it by the plateful.
How to Make Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
You’ll need:
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. You could even use one of these homemade jam recipes!
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.
Up Next: Recipes to Make with Fresh Strawberries
Best Strawberry Shortcake
For a dazzling summer dessert, you can’t beat juicy strawberries and fresh whipped cream over homemade shortcake. My father added even more indulgence to this recipe by buttering the shortcake. This is at the top of my list of favorite recipes with fresh strawberries. —Shirley Joan Helfenbein, Lapeer, Michigan
Go to Recipe
Strawberry TartA simple tart is one of the best recipes with fresh strawberries I know. What makes it special: There's a crunchy chocolate layer tucked next to the crust. Try making individual tartlets instead of one big dessert. —Dawn Tringali, Hamilton Square, New Jersey
Strawberry Lemon TrifleThis refreshingly fruity dessert is one of our favorites. It looks so beautiful layered in a glass bowl that people will think it took ages to make. The secret is starting with a purchased angel food cake. —Lynn Marie Frucci, Pullman, Washington
P.S. Have you ever seen
strawberry sprouts?
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Updated: Nov. 08, 2021
