Deliciously Easy Apple Buttercream Icing for Home Baking Recipe
This Deliciously Easy Apple Buttercream Icing is a creamy, smooth, and flavorful frosting perfect for enhancing your favorite baked goods. Made with creamy butter, powdered sugar, and the warm sweetness of apple butter, this icing is lightly spiced with cinnamon and vanilla. It’s simple to prepare using an electric mixer and can be adjusted for your preferred consistency, making it an ideal choice for cakes, cupcakes, and cookies.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: Enough to frost one 9-inch two-layer cake or 24 cupcakes
- Category: Frosting/Icing
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Icing
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- ½ cup apple butter
- 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream (for adjusting thickness)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- a pinch of salt (to balance sweetness)
Instructions
- Beat the butter: Beat the unsalted butter on medium speed for 2-3 minutes using an electric mixer until it becomes light and fluffy, providing a smooth base for the icing.
- Add powdered sugar gradually: Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing on low to medium speed until just combined to avoid a sugar cloud and ensure smooth texture.
- Scrape the bowl: Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides and bottom of the mixing bowl to ensure all ingredients are fully incorporated and there are no lumps.
- Mix in apple butter: Add the apple butter and beat on medium speed for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is well combined and the icing takes on a gentle apple flavor.
- Add milk and vanilla: Incorporate the milk (or heavy cream) and vanilla extract, mixing until the icing becomes light and fluffy, which improves spreadability.
- Add cinnamon and salt: Mix in the optional ground cinnamon and a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness while adding warm spice notes.
- Adjust consistency: Adjust the icing’s thickness by adding more milk or powdered sugar as needed to reach your desired spreadable consistency.
- Whip until fluffy: Whip the icing on medium-high speed for another 1-2 minutes to achieve a light, airy texture ready for decorating your baked goods.
- Taste and adjust: Give the icing a final taste and adjust flavor components like cinnamon, salt, or sweetness as preferred before use.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easy beating and smooth texture.
- Sift powdered sugar to avoid lumps in the icing.
- Adjust milk quantity carefully to prevent the icing from becoming too runny.
- This icing pairs wonderfully with spiced cakes, apple-flavored cupcakes, or simple vanilla cakes.
- Store leftover icing in an airtight container in the refrigerator and re-whip before use.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter and heavy cream with vegan alternatives.
Keywords: apple buttercream, apple butter icing, buttercream frosting, easy icing recipe, apple flavored frosting, creamy apple icing, apple cinnamon frosting
