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.
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.
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.
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.
After the first cup is mixed, add the second cup of sifted powdered sugar. Again, it will be very crumbly.
After about 5 minutes of mixing time, you'll end up with a fully incorporated frosting.
Add the vanilla extract and then some milk and watch as it turns into something amazing.
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!
Best Gluten Free Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 3 Tbsp. 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 Tbsp. 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.
Nutrition
fyfalina
can i use coconut sugar instead of normal powdered sugar?
Christine
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
Jessica
How much does this cover? Could it do 24 cupcakes or should I double it?
Christine
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