Honey Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook:
🍽 Serves: 16
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This Honey Vanilla Buttercream Frosting is a rich, smooth, and slightly sweet topping that elevates any cake or cupcake it graces. It's perfect for adding a touch of elegance to your desserts with its creamy texture and delightful flavor combination.

Ingredients for Honey Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

The base of our frosting is unsalted butter, which provides a creamy texture and rich flavor. We use powdered sugar to sweeten and thicken the frosting, ensuring it’s perfectly smooth. Honey adds a natural sweetness and subtle floral note that sets this frosting apart. The pure vanilla extract brings depth and a warm, inviting aroma. Heavy cream helps achieve that light, fluffy consistency, while a pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.

Tips & Tricks

  • For best results, ensure your butter is at room temperature before starting.
  • If your frosting is too sweet, a tiny pinch more of salt can help balance the flavor.
  • Chill the frosting for 15 minutes if it's too soft to pipe or spread.

Serving Suggestions

This frosting pairs beautifully with a classic vanilla or chocolate cake. It also works well on cupcakes with a hint of citrus or spice, like lemon or cinnamon. For a special touch, sprinkle a little sea salt on top just before serving for a delightful contrast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use salted butter?
Yes, but be sure to omit the added salt to avoid an overly salty frosting.
How do I store leftover frosting?
Keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Allow it to come to room temperature before using.

Honey Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Recipe Walkthrough

Start by placing your softened butter in a large mixing bowl. You want it to be soft enough to beat easily but not melting. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the butter until it’s creamy and smooth, which should take about two minutes.

Next, gradually add the powdered sugar to the bowl, one cup at a time. Make sure to mix well after each addition so the sugar is fully integrated before adding more. This gradual approach helps prevent a sugar cloud in your kitchen and ensures a smooth frosting.

Once all your sugar is mixed in, it’s time to add the honey and vanilla extract. Drizzle them into the bowl and continue to beat on medium speed until everything is well combined. The mixture should start to look glossy and smooth.

Add the heavy cream and salt to the bowl. Now, increase the mixer speed to high and beat the mixture for 3 to 4 minutes. This step is crucial for achieving that light and fluffy texture we’re aiming for.

Finally, check the consistency. If your frosting is too thick, add a bit more cream, a teaspoon at a time. If it’s too soft, mix in a bit more powdered sugar until you reach the desired consistency.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy to make with just a few ingredients.
  • Smooth and creamy texture that spreads effortlessly.
  • Perfect balance of sweetness with a hint of honey.
  • Versatile enough for cakes, cupcakes, or even cookies.

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
2 tbsp honey
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 tbsp heavy cream
1/8 tsp salt

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy and smooth.
2. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.
3. Drizzle in the honey and pour in the vanilla extract, beating on medium speed until fully incorporated.
4. Add the heavy cream and salt, then increase the speed to high and beat for an additional 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
5. Adjust the consistency, if necessary, by adding more powdered sugar for thickness or more cream for a softer texture.

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