Find Your Favorite Frosting
The right frosting can change the whole feel of a dessert. This collection includes six dependable options, from easy American buttercream to smooth meringue buttercreams and lightly sweet ermine frosting.
You will also find rich French buttercream and tangy cream cheese buttercream, giving you plenty of choices for cakes, cupcakes, cookies, cinnamon rolls, and layer fillings.
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1. American Buttercream
No-cook · 20 min · 4 cups
This classic American buttercream uses five everyday ingredients and comes together without cooking. It is smooth enough for spreading, sturdy enough for piping, and easy to adjust for cakes, cupcakes, and cookies.
What you need
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2–4 tbsp heavy cream
- Pinch of salt
Best for: Cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and make-ahead frosting
2. Swiss Meringue Buttercream
Stovetop · 45 min · Serves 8
Swiss meringue buttercream is a smooth, lightly sweet frosting made with heated egg whites and sugar, softened butter, vanilla, and salt. It is sturdy enough for piping and versatile enough for cakes, cupcakes, and layer fillings.
What you need
- 4 large egg whites
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Best for: Smooth frosting for cakes, cupcakes, and piping
3. Italian Meringue Buttercream
Make-ahead · 35 min · Serves 8
This Italian meringue buttercream is made with hot sugar syrup, whipped egg whites, butter, vanilla, and salt. It is smooth, creamy, and reliable for filling, frosting, and piping cakes and cupcakes.
What you need
- 4 large egg whites
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Best for: Layer cakes, cupcakes, and smooth piped decorations.
4. French Buttercream
Rich · 40 min · Serves 8
French buttercream is a silky, yolk-based frosting with a rich custard flavor and a smooth finish. It is a thoughtful choice when you want something less sweet than traditional American buttercream.
What you need
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Best for: Layer cakes, cupcakes, and elegant piped finishes.
5. Ermine Buttercream
Cooked base · 1 hr · Serves 8
Ermine buttercream is a smooth, lightly sweet frosting made with a cooked flour-and-milk base, butter, granulated sugar, vanilla, and salt. It is a reliable choice for cakes and cupcakes when you want a fluffy frosting without powdered sugar.
What you need
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Best for: Layer cakes, cupcakes, and sandwich cookies
6. Cream Cheese Buttercream
No-cook · 20 min · Serves 8
Cream cheese buttercream combines softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt for a smooth frosting with a gentle tang. It is ready in about 20 minutes and works on cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and cinnamon rolls.
What you need
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Best for: Cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and cinnamon rolls
How To Choose A Frosting
Choose American buttercream when you want a simple, sturdy option that is easy to spread, pipe, and adjust. Swiss and Italian meringue buttercreams are smooth and versatile, while French buttercream brings a rich custard flavor with less sweetness.
Ermine buttercream is fluffy and made without powdered sugar. Cream cheese buttercream adds a gentle tang and works especially well on cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and cinnamon rolls.
Helpful Frosting Tips
For the smoothest results, use softened butter and follow each recipe's instructions closely. Meringue buttercreams need careful attention to the egg whites, sugar, and butter, while cooked frostings need time to cool before combining.
Final Thoughts
Whether you want a quick classic, a silky meringue frosting, or something with a little tang, these recipes make it easier to match the frosting to your dessert.
