Perfect Russian Buttercream

If you’ve been dreaming of a frosting that’s rich, creamy, and perfectly sweet without being overly sugary, then look no further! Perfect Russian Buttercream is the answer to all your frosting woes. Unlike traditional buttercream, this one’s made with sweetened condensed milk, giving it a silky, smooth texture and a more subtle sweetness. It’s incredibly versatile, too—perfect for cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and even as a filling for pastries. Once you try it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t make this sooner. Trust me, it’s a total game-changer in the world of frostings!

Why You’ll Love Perfect Russian Buttercream

• Silky Smooth Texture: It’s the creamiest frosting you’ll ever taste, and it holds its shape beautifully for decorating cakes or cupcakes.
• Less Sweet: Compared to traditional buttercream, it’s much less sweet, thanks to the sweetened condensed milk. The result? A balanced, smooth, and luscious frosting that enhances the flavor of your baked goods rather than overwhelming them.
• Quick and Easy: There’s no complicated process here! You just need a few ingredients and a stand mixer to whip up this perfect frosting.
• Stays Firm: Perfect Russian Buttercream holds up beautifully at room temperature, making it ideal for cakes that need to be displayed for hours.
• Versatile: It can be flavored in countless ways—add vanilla, chocolate, citrus, or even fruit puree to make it your own.

Ingredients

• Unsalted Butter: The base of this frosting. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: This is the key to the frosting’s smooth texture and more delicate sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract: For that classic flavor that pairs perfectly with cakes and cupcakes.
• Powdered Sugar: Just a little to help thicken up the frosting and give it that perfect consistency.
• Pinch of Salt: To balance out the sweetness and bring out the flavors.
• Optional Flavorings: Feel free to experiment with different flavors like lemon zest, cocoa powder, or fruit purees to make it your own.

(Note: Full ingredient measurements are provided in the recipe card below.)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

Start by making sure your butter is softened to room temperature. You want it to be soft enough to cream easily, but not melted.

Step 2: Mix the Butter and Sweetened Condensed Milk

In a stand mixer bowl (or using a hand mixer), beat the butter on medium speed for about 3-4 minutes until it’s light and fluffy. This step helps create that silky texture you’re after. Once the butter is light and fluffy, slowly add in the sweetened condensed milk and mix until fully combined.

Step 3: Add Powdered Sugar and Salt

Next, gradually add in the powdered sugar a little at a time, mixing on low speed until it’s all incorporated. Add a pinch of salt to balance out the sweetness, and mix again. Keep scraping the sides of the bowl as needed to make sure everything is well combined.

Step 4: Add Flavoring

Once the frosting is nice and smooth, add vanilla extract or any other flavorings you’d like, and beat for another minute until everything is incorporated. If you’re adding any additional flavors like cocoa powder or citrus zest, make sure to add it in this step.

Step 5: Adjust the Consistency

If your frosting is too thick, add a small amount of milk (a teaspoon at a time) until you reach the perfect spreading consistency. If it’s too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar until you get the desired thickness.

Step 6: Frost Your Cakes

Now comes the fun part—use your Perfect Russian Buttercream to frost cakes, cupcakes, or any baked goods you desire! Smooth it out with a spatula for a sleek finish, or pipe it onto cupcakes for a beautiful swirl.

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 12
Calories per serving: 200
Total Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 45mg
Sodium: 20mg
Total Carbohydrate: 18g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Sugars: 18g
Protein: 1g
Vitamin A: 10%
Vitamin C: 0%
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 0%

Preparation Time

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes

How to Serve Perfect Russian Buttercream

• On Cakes: This frosting is perfect for any cake, from classic vanilla to rich chocolate. It’s especially lovely on layered cakes where its smooth texture can really shine.
• Cupcakes: Pipe a generous swirl on top of cupcakes for a beautifully decorated treat that’s both creamy and not overly sweet.
• As a Filling: Use it as a filling between layers of cakes or in pastries like cream puffs or Danish.
• With Cookies: It’s great on cookies, especially soft ones like sugar or shortbread cookies. Sandwich it between two cookies for an extra special treat!

Additional Tips

• Flavor Variations: You can add a variety of flavors to your Russian buttercream. Try adding cocoa powder for a chocolate twist, or lemon zest for a refreshing citrusy note.
• Storage: Store leftover buttercream in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you need to store it for longer, keep it in the fridge for up to a week or freeze it for up to 3 months.
• Make it Vegan: To make this frosting vegan, swap the butter for vegan butter and use a dairy-free condensed milk alternative.
• Piping Tips: For a clean, smooth finish when piping, use a large star tip or round tip to get beautiful, swirled peaks or a classic smooth design.

FAQ Section

Q1: Can I make this frosting ahead of time?
A1: Yes! You can make the frosting in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. When you’re ready to use it, let it come to room temperature and rewhip it to get that fluffy texture back.

Q2: Can I use regular milk instead of sweetened condensed milk?
A2: The sweetened condensed milk is essential for the texture and sweetness of this buttercream. You can try making a homemade version of condensed milk if you don’t have any, but regular milk won’t give you the same result.

Q3: Can I use this frosting for piping intricate designs?
A3: Yes! This frosting holds up really well for piping intricate designs like rosettes, swirls, or flowers. Just make sure your frosting is the right consistency before piping.

Q4: Can I make this frosting chocolate?
A4: Absolutely! Simply sift in cocoa powder to taste, starting with 2-3 tablespoons. Add more for a richer chocolate flavor.

Q5: How can I make the frosting less sweet?
A5: If you prefer a less sweet frosting, reduce the amount of powdered sugar by half, or use unsweetened condensed milk if you can find it.

Q6: How do I store leftover frosting?
A6: Store leftover frosting in an airtight container. It can sit at room temperature for up to 2 days, but for longer storage, keep it in the fridge or freeze it for future use.

Q7: Can I use this frosting on a warm cake?
A7: It’s best to frost a cake that has cooled to room temperature, as warm cake can cause the frosting to melt.

Q8: Can I use dairy-free butter for this recipe?
A8: Yes, you can substitute the unsalted butter with dairy-free butter to make this recipe vegan.

Q9: How long will this frosting stay fresh at room temperature?
A9: This frosting will stay fresh for about 2 days at room temperature, as long as it’s kept covered.

Q10: Can I add food coloring to this frosting?
A10: Yes, you can add food coloring to the frosting to match any occasion or theme. Gel food coloring works best, as it won’t affect the consistency.

Conclusion

With Perfect Russian Buttercream, you’ll have a smooth, creamy frosting that’s less sweet, perfectly textured, and incredibly versatile. Whether you’re frosting a cake, topping cupcakes, or just eating it straight from the spoon (no judgment here!), this frosting is a must-try. Once you taste it, you’ll never want to go back to regular buttercream again!

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