Buttercream Frosting Without Heavy Cream

Sweet and creamy buttercream frosting recipe and no heavy cream needed! This frosting is great for piping or spreading on cakes, cupcakes, cookies and more.

If you enjoy a sweet buttercream frosting, this just may be your new all time favorite recipe! The flavor works with any of your favorite desserts and is super simple to make.

Make sure to bookmark or pin this recipe for the next time you need frosting!

Not only is this frosting tasty and easy to make, you only need a handful of common ingredients. So you probably already have everything you need on hand.

How to Make Homemade Buttercream Frosting without using Heavy Cream

So, heavy cream is a great addition to buttercream, and most of my recipes use it. It provides a rich creaminess and fluffy texture that is just plain tasty.

But just because you’re all out of heavy cream doesn’t mean you can’t make a wonderful frosting. In fact, this recipe tastes incredibly good and I doubt anyone will even notice you didn’t use heavy cream.

Prep time is right around ten minutes and the only equipment you need is a mixing bowl and a hand mixer or stand mixer.

This recipe yields enough frosting for most standard recipes. This recipe provides enough frosting for the following sizes of desserts.

• 13″x9″ sheet cake
• 24 cookies
• 24 cupcakes
• 2 layer 8″ of 9″ cake
• 3 layer 6″cake

Related Recipe: Buttercream frosting with shortening

Ingredients

Since this recipe calls for common ingredients, you most likely already have everything you need. That also means this is an inexpensive recipe, so it’s a great style of buttercream to use on all sorts of quick family desserts.

And while we will be making a vanilla flavored buttercream, you can replace your vanilla extract with any other favorite flavoring making this a versatile recipe too!

No Heavy Cream Buttercream Ingredients

• Powdered Sugar
• Unsalted Butter
• Whole Milk
• Pure Vanilla Extract
• Salt

I am often asked if granulated sugar can be used instead of powdered sugar. And you definitely can, but keep in mind that your frosting will be a bit grainier in texture. You can improve the texture by mixing your frosting a minute or two longer than you would with powdered sugar.

For a sweeter frosting, add another quarter cup of powdered sugar, and for a less sweet frosting, use two cups of powdered sugar and an extra tablespoon of butter.

Related Frosting: Buttercream with meringue powder

Instructions

I like to keep my milk chilled right up until it’s time to add it to my mixing bowl. I also recommend softening (not melting) your butter for a smoother consistency without overmixing.

So, once you have all your ingredients gathered, it’s time to make your frosting!

Step 1: In your mixing bowl, add your powdered sugar, and softened butter.

Note: For best results, sift your powdered sugar

Step 2: Mix on medium speed until well combined and creamy.

Step 3: Add your pure vanilla extract and about two tablespoons of milk.

Step 4: Mix on low until well combined.

Step 5: While mixing, gradually add the rest of your milk. Mix until buttercream is smooth and creamy.

Step 6: Use immediately, serve and enjoy!

Note: For a thinner frosting, add another tablespoon of milk and mix until well combined. For a thicker frosting, slowly mix in small amounts of powdered sugar until desired thickness is achieved.

Related Recipe: Buttercream with heavy cream

Recipe Tips

• Adjusting sweetness level is simple. For a sweeter frosting, add about 1/4 cup more powdered sugar. For a less sweet buttercream, use two cups powdered sugar total and add an additional tablespoon of butter.
• To thin your frosting, slowly mix in more milk. Add small amount of milk at a time.
• For a thicker frosting, slowly add small amounts of powdered sugar while mixing until the desired texture is achieved.
• Gel based food coloring can be added for colored frosting. Stir your food coloring in at the very end.
• Add a teaspoon of lemon juice for a different finished flavor.

Related: How long does buttercream last