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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Best Gluten Free Buttercream Frosting

    Published: Jan 2, 2019 · Modified: Sep 9, 2022 by Christine · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    delicious gluten free buttercream frosting in a glass bowl

    If you're looking for the most delicious, sweetest and easy-to-make frosting, perfect for all your cookies, cakes and even brownies... look no further!

    This gluten free buttercream frosting is the absolutely best.

    frosting on a metal spatula in a glass bowl

    Think homemade frosting is difficult or requires some advanced baking certification to make? At one time, I did too!

    But it's actually soooo easy to make, it's basically mixing and more mixing. That's it.

    And once you've got it mixed, add different colors to make any color to fit your mood.

    Tips on Making the Best Gluten Free Buttercream Frosting

    Room temperature ingredients

    This first step is the easiest, but also the most important. The butter needs to be soft enough to be easily dented, but not runny or melted. Powdered sugar needs to be be room temperature.

    frosting ingredients on a white countertop

    Mixing techniques

    Mixing this frosting is where the most work comes in - well, it's the most work for the mixer! Start with a deep bowl and mix the butter until fully blended.

    butter mixed in a glassbowl on a countertop

    Then start by adding 1 cup of sifted powdered sugar at a time. It will look very powdery and not like frosting at all, but just keep mixing.

    Note: if powdered sugar is still flying out of the bowl, try draping a paper towel over the bowl and continue mixing. It will lessen as you go.

    mixing frosting in a glass bowl

    After the first cup is mixed, add the second cup of sifted powdered sugar. Again, it will be very crumbly.

    frosting mixing in a glass bowl on a countertop

    After about 5 minutes of mixing time, you'll end up with a fully incorporated frosting.

    fully mixed frosting on the beaters in a glass bowl

    Add the vanilla extract and then some milk and watch as it turns into something amazing.

    adding milk to frosting in a glass bowl to make it fluffy

    Storage

    If you are using it right away: just drape a wet paper towel over the bowl.

    If using it later on: Scrape it into a plastic container and store it in the refrigerator until needed.

    A note about coloring the frosting...

    Beautiful shades of pinks, violets and blues are easy to achieve with this buttercream frosting. I recommend using a gel based food coloring like Wilton colors. They don't impact the consistency as food coloring can and the color is easier to control. Start with just a small dot of color and mix it into the frosting. Wait a few minutes to check the color before adding more. (The color will intensify.)

    Tools Needed to Make Gluten Free Buttercream Frosting

    Hand held mixer - for mixing up the frosting

    Spatula - a rubber one that has a firm handle

    Sifter - this hand crank version is one of the best investments you'll make!

     

    Recipe

    frosting on a metal spatula in a glass bowl

    Best Gluten Free Buttercream Frosting

    For the very best, versatile gluten free buttercream frosting, this is your recipe! Use it to frost any baked good!
    4.80 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
    0 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 2 cups
    Calories: 890kcal
    Author: Christine

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup unsalted butter or use vegan butter, softened
    • 210 grams powdered sugar about 2 cups
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 3 Tablespoons milk divided

    Instructions

    • In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter until fully mixed.
    • Sift 1 cup of the powdered sugar into the butter mix and mix until fully incorporated.
    • Sift another cup of powdered sugar into the bowl and mix again. Mixture will be crumbly, but keep mixing.
    • Once all sugar is incorporated, add vanilla extract and 2 Tablespoons milk. Mix. 
    • Check consistency and if needed, add another Tbsp. of milk and mix again.
    • Use as desired.

    Notes

    • Use a deep bowl to prevent powdered sugar from dusting up over the bowl. Use a paper towel to block any remaining powdered sugar.
    • For thinner consistency, add more milk. A bit thicker, use less.
    • Food coloring can be added to create different colors, however, it can make the frosting too thin. Look for coloring that is gel-based like Wilton food coloring.
    • For a cinnamon buttercream, add 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon after adding the vanilla and milk.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 890kcal | Carbohydrates: 121g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 29g | Cholesterol: 123mg | Sodium: 19mg | Potassium: 33mg | Sugar: 119g | Vitamin A: 1460IU | Calcium: 41mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @zest_for_baking or tag #zestforbaking!

     

     

     

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. fyfalina

      May 25, 2020 at 10:43 am

      can i use coconut sugar instead of normal powdered sugar?

      Reply
      • Christine

        May 25, 2020 at 11:43 am

        Hi Fyfalina,

        Not with just coconut sugar out of the bag - you'd have to blend it until it's very fine. Keep in mind that it will have that light beige tint to it as well - it won't be a white buttercream.

        Hope that helps!

        Christine

        Reply
    2. Jessica

      April 06, 2022 at 9:42 am

      How much does this cover? Could it do 24 cupcakes or should I double it?

      Reply
      • Christine

        April 06, 2022 at 12:47 pm

        Hi Jessica,

        Great question - so it depends how you frost the cupcakes - a smear on top, then yep, this will cover 24 cupcakes. But a swirl from a piping bag - definitely double the recipe!

        Christine

        Reply

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    Christine Brady.

    Hi, I'm Christine, a gluten free baker living in sunny Texas! I love baking breads and sharing best practices so that everyone can bake tasty treats too. Zest For Baking (est. 2013) is where you'll find gluten free (and dairy free) recipes, tips for substituting ingredients and help navigating the world of gluten free baking.

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