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If you’re looking for an Almond Buttercream Frosting recipe that’s smooth, creamy, and packed with almond flavor, you’ve come to the right place. Made with simple ingredients like softened butter, powdered sugar, and almond extract, this frosting comes together quickly and easily in just a few minutes of your time. Whether you’re topping a layer cake, cupcakes, or cookies, this delicious almond buttercream frosting will be your go-to for any occasion. The hardest part? Resisting the urge to grab a spoon and dig in before you’ve even frosted your dessert.
Why You’ll Love this Frosting Recipe
This frosting is everything you want in an almond buttercream: light, fluffy, and full of almond flavor. It’s easy to make, forgiving for beginners, and versatile enough to pair with chocolate cake, almond sugar cookies, or even carrot cake. Plus, the consistency of the frosting is just right—it holds its shape beautifully for piping but spreads effortlessly for a smooth finish on cakes. With just a handful of ingredients and tools like a stand mixer or electric hand mixer, you’ll have a frosting that tastes like it came from a bakery.
Ingredients Needed for Almond Buttercream Frosting
Just 4 simple ingredients are needed to make this amazing almond buttercream frosting!
- Softened butter: room temperature is best to avoid lumps. Unsalted butter is best for frosting so you can control the amount of salt.
- Powdered sugar: This gives the frosting its sweetness and smooth texture.
- Almond extract: Use pure extract for the best almond flavoring.
- Milk: Start with whole milk, but almond milk or heavy cream works too.
Variations
- Vanilla Almond Buttercream: Swap half the almond extract for vanilla extract.
- Cream Cheese Almond Frosting: Replace some of the butter with cream cheese for a tangy twist.
- Chocolate Almond Frosting: Add a few tablespoons of cocoa powder for a rich chocolate flavor.
- Dairy-Free: Use almond milk and a plant-based butter substitute.
- Extra Fluffy: Incorporate a tablespoon of heavy whipping cream and beat on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes.
How to Make Almond Buttercream Frosting
For full recipe details, including ingredient measurements, see the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here are my step by step directions for making this buttercream frosting:
1. Combine Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, mix the butter, powdered sugar, and almond extract on low speed until combined.
A note about Almond paste: While almond paste adds a rich almond flavor, it’s not ideal for this recipe as it affects the smooth texture. Stick with pure extract for the best results.
2. Add Milk
Slowly stream in milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting starts to come together.
3. Beat to Perfection
Increase to medium speed and beat for 2-3 minutes until you achieve a fluffy texture with the perfect consistency.
Pro Tip: If your frosting is looking too runny, add more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until the consistency of the frosting thickens.
4. Use as Desired
Spread or pipe onto your favorite cakes, cupcakes, or cookies. One frosting recipe will frost:
- 12 cupcakes using a piping bag OR
- 24 cupcakes using a butter knife OR
- (1) 2-layer 8-inch cake OR
- (1) 9×13 cake
Storage + Make Ahead Directions
Place leftover frosting in an airtight container or cover tightly with plastic wrap. It will keep in the fridge for about a week.
To Make Ahead: Prepare the frosting up to 3 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Let it come to room temperature and give it a quick mix before using.
To Freeze: Great news! You can freeze almond buttercream frosting. Store it in a freezer bag or airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator, then rewhip to restore its fluffy consistency.
More Frosting Recipes to Try!
- Chocolate Frosting – my most popular frosting recipe!
- Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
- Brown Butter Frosting
- Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting
- Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
This almond buttercream frosting is the best way to add a rich almond flavor and fluffy texture to all your baked goods. From birthday cakes to buttercream cookies, this recipe will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen. The printable recipe is below! Have a good day, friends! 🙂
If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.
Almond Buttercream Frosting Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 2 teaspoons almond extract
- 1 pound powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk or more, as needed
Instructions
- In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, add butter, powdered sugar and almond extract.
- Using the paddle attachment (or electric hand mixer), start to combine those ingredients.
- With the mixer on, slowly stream in your milk tablespoon by tablespoon until it starts to come together and look creamy.
- If it hasn’t come together, add another tablespoon, mix and wait it out. After about 2 or 3 tablespoons, your frosting should be thick enough to hold its shape, but light enough to have a butter knife or rubber scraper run through it with ease.
- Once you reach this point, the buttercream is ready to use as desired.
Notes
- 1 2-layer 8-inch cake OR
- 1 9×13 cake OR
- 12 cupcakes using a piping bag OR
- 24 cupcakes using a butter knife
