Home » Homemade Ingredients » Crazy Frosting Recipe: The Best Buttercream Frosting with Endless Flavor Variations
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Go crazy and make your own bold flavors with my light and airy buttercream frosting recipe.
By Gemma Stafford | | 392
Last updated on April 19, 2023
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By now you might know that one of my favorite ways to make bold baking accessible is by creating recipes that allow you to be creative and make my recipes your own. My favorite way to do this is through my “Crazy” Series. From Crazy Cookie Dough to Crazy Bread Dough, I share with you one master recipe that can be transformed into all of your favorite flavors. This Crazy Buttercream Frosting recipe is the “icing on the cake” (haha) to my crazy series.
Imagine a fool-proof recipe for the most decadent buttercream. The master recipe for my Crazy Frosting is just that. This creamy base unlocks all the secrets to smooth and creamy buttercream frosting. Light as air yet beyond rich, my buttercream frosting is the perfect consistency for icing a 3 Layer Neapolitan Cake or topping off your favorite variations ofCrazy Cupcakes.
How to Make Buttercream Frosting
The secret ingredient in this buttercream frosting is time. Most people whip their butter for a few minutes then start adding in sugar and expect a light and airy result, but it’s never achieved. This frosting recipe takes its literal sweet time to really incorporate as much air as possible into the butter. This means allowing it your butter to whip to perfection for a full 7-8 minutes. Only then do I add in sifted powdered sugar one spoon-full at a time. While this takes a bit of patience, it is SO worth the wait –this method will give you the best buttercream frosting.
The best part of my Crazy Frosting is that it’s completely versatile! I’ve included all the mix-ins I add to my buttercream frosting recipe – from classic vanilla to peanut butter, chocolate, strawberry and more. All seven of these crazy frosting flavors are next-level, allowing you to create all kinds of lovely flavor combinations. My Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake is a perfect example! I know you guys will love all of these flavors. I encourage you to also experiment and make up your own crazy frostings. After all – that’s what Bold Baking is all about!
Mint Chocolate Chip Frosting
Not just a popular ice cream flavor, this frosting is the topping for a rich chocolate cake.
Lemon Frosting
Spring has sprung! Spread this frosting over a vanilla cake for your Easter celebration or anytime inspiration strikes.
Peanut Butter Frosting
Peanut Butter and jelly are not the only flavors that go well together! Peanut Butter Frosting spread over a chocolate cake is guaranteed to be a fan favorite.
Coffee Frosting
The hint of coffee in this frosting will compliment and enhance any cake it is piped on.
Chocolate Fudge Frosting
This Fudge Frosting is not only rich but fluffy and light at the same time. Pipe this chocolate buttercream frosting on top of a chocolate cake for ultimate decadence.
Strawberry Frosting
Although summer is short, keep the season going with this sweet Strawberry Frosting spread onto cakes and cupcakes.
Get more of my one-baseCrazy Recipes including Crazy Cookie Dough, Crazy Cupcakes, Crazy Bread Dough and more!
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Crazy Frosting Recipe
4.59 from 199 votes
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Go crazy and make your own bold flavors with my light and airy buttercream frosting recipe.Go crazy and make your own bold flavors with my light and airy buttercream frosting recipe.
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 4 cups
- Less than 30 Minutes
- Limited Ingredients
- Electric Mixer
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Go crazy and make your own bold flavors with my light and airy buttercream frosting recipe.Go crazy and make your own bold flavors with my light and airy buttercream frosting recipe.
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 4 cups
Ingredients
- 1½ cups (340g/12oz) butter, at room temperature
- 5⅔ cups (680g/1lb 8oz) confectioners' sugar, sifted*
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-3 tablespoons milk or cream
- pinch of salt
- Add Ins:
Strawberry Frosting: - 1/2 cup (21/2oz/75g) fresh or frozen strawberries, pureed and strained
Chocolate Frosting: - 1 1/3 cups (51/3oz/160g) cocoa powder
Coffee Frosting: - 1 tablespoon instant espresso dissolved in 2 tablespoons of water
Mint Chocolate Chip Frosting: - 3 teaspoons mint extract
- 1/2 cup (3oz/90g) chocolate, finely chopped
- 1 drop green food coloring (optional)
Peanut butter Frosting: - 3/4 cup (6oz/180g) smooth peanut butter
Vanilla Frosting: - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract , total for the batch.
Lemon Frosting:- Zest of 2 lemons
Instructions
In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment or using an electric hand mixer whip the butter until light and creamy for about 7-8 minutes on medium/high speed.
Once the butter is pale in color and light slowly add in the sifted confectioners' sugar one spoon at a time on medium speed. Let the sugar fully incorporate before adding in more sugar.
Add the vanilla extract, salt and milk or cream.
Whip on high speed for another 3-4 minutes until very light, creamy, and fluffy.
Add in the flavorings of your choice to create your desired flavor.
Recipe Notes
Sift the sugar AFTER you have measured it.
Use the buttercream straight away or keep it refrigerated for up to 4 weeks. Before use make sure it comes to room temperature.
If you want a little bit of extra color add a bit of food dye until you've reached your desired color.
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Riz
4 years ago
Hey Gemma, why my buttercream is grainy???
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Rhonda
4 years ago
Gemma,
I am new to your site but love it. I have a question about the crazy frosting. I may have missed this instruction but if making several flavors out of one batch, what is the frosting/add in ratio. In the cupcake video you illustrated with 1/4 cub of batter with add ins for one cupcake but I didn’t notice a frosting/flavor ratio in the frosting video. I hope this makes sense. Thank you!!
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Lisa
4 years ago
Hey Gramma. My child has do bake cupcakes ,but add twist to them. How can I do that with store bought cake mix and icing. Thank you for you help. Mother who wants to help her child up. My email is [emailprotected] .
BakerBug
3 years ago
Delicious buttercream. I made the chocolate to ice a chocolate cake (made with a mix = cheat) and it is fudgy yummy. I did have to add a little more milk as the buttercream was too thick to spread. Worked out perfectly.
There was more than enough for my simple, double layer cake, so I’ve frozen the remainder for the future (bet it tastes good frozen from a spoon 🙂
Thanks for another great recipe Gemma!
Last edited 3 years ago by BakerBug
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Maya
3 years ago
Hello! For the regular buttercream frosting (no add-ins), what would be better: milk or cream?
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Christie
5 years ago
Hi Gemma! You are a pleasure to learn from and I cant get enough of your recipes! I do however have a quick question on the crazy frosting recipe for the strawberry frosting. When it says to puree and strain. so the 1/2 cup strawberries i will add to the recipe is this the puree or the strained strawberries I’m adding in?
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Akosua Ofewaa Opoku
3 years ago
Hi Gemma. Thanks a lot for this recipe. Do you have some tips on what to do if your butter is falling apart as a result of over-whipping? I find that my butter gets watery at some point but I somehow feel that it’s as a result of excess whipping. I use vegetable margarine by the way. Thanks.
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Ree
3 years ago
Hi Gemma.. Haven’t tried making this buttercream recipebof yours.. but I’m sure it’s best ever
Got a question.. can i store this buttercream frosting for future use? Storage and container tips please. And How long does it last in the fridge?
Many thanks. – Ree
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Mia
4 years ago
Hi! Can I make a batch of this and split it 4 ways and then add 4 different flavors? Or is each batch for 1 flavor with the measurements given? Thanks!
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Steve61
21 days ago
Hi gamma, just made the frosting per the ingredients and method, but the frosting seems too runny to top the cakes, what have I done wrong!
Cheers steve 🙈
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About Us
Meet Gemma
About Us
Meet Gemma
Hi Bold Bakers! I’m Gemma Stafford, a professional chef originally from Ireland, a cookbook author, and the creator of Bigger Bolder Baking. I want to help you bake with confidence anytime, anywhere with my trusted and tested recipes and baking tips. You may have seen one of my 500+ videos on YouTube & TikTok or as a guest judge on Nailed It! on Netflix or the Best Baker in America on Food Network. No matter your skills, my Bold Baking Team & I want to be your #1 go-to baking authority.
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