10+ Frosting Recipes You’ll Love for Every Sweet Treat

Frosting can turn any baked good into something memorable. You get flavor, texture, and color, all in one swoop.

Whether you want something easy or a little more decorative, frosting recipes give you loads of options. From creamy buttercreams to tangy cream cheese frostings, there’s a style for every mood.

Frosting recipes help you create a delicious finish that matches your taste and style. If you know a few basic recipes, you can decorate and enjoy cakes, cupcakes, or cookies whenever you like.

Getting comfortable with frosting makes baking more fun, honestly. There’s a certain satisfaction in swirling that last bit on top.

1) Classic Vanilla Buttercream

Classic vanilla buttercream is about as dependable as it gets. It’s smooth, creamy, and packed with sweet vanilla flavor.

To make it, cream softened butter with powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Add a splash of heavy cream or milk to keep it fluffy.

Spread it or pipe it—either way, it looks pretty and holds up well at room temp. It’s a favorite for parties and casual bakes alike.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 to 4 cups (340-454 g) powdered sugar, sifted
• 2 teaspoons (9 g) vanilla extract
• 2 to 4 tablespoons heavy cream or milk

Cooking Instructions

1. Beat the softened butter until creamy.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing well after each cup.
3. Stir in vanilla extract.
4. Add heavy cream or milk one tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
5. Beat on high for 3 to 5 minutes for a fluffy texture.

2) Cream Cheese Frosting

Cream cheese frosting is smooth, creamy, and brings a slight tang. It’s a must for carrot cake and red velvet, honestly.

You’ll find it easy to whip up with basic ingredients. It isn’t overly sweet and has a gentle vanilla note.

You can make it ahead and stash it in the fridge. Just let it warm up before using.

It feels rich but not heavy, and it spreads like a dream.

Ingredients

• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups powdered sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. Beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
2. Add the vanilla and mix well.
3. Gradually add powdered sugar while mixing.
4. Beat until fluffy and creamy.
5. Use immediately, or chill and bring to room temperature before spreading.

3) Chocolate Ganache

Chocolate ganache is as simple as it gets—just chocolate and warm cream. Stir them together until you get a glossy, silky mixture.

You can use dark, milk, or white chocolate. Pour it over cakes or whip it for a fluffy, spreadable frosting.

Change the cream amount to adjust the thickness. It’s super versatile.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces (225 grams) chocolate, chopped
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat until it begins to simmer.
2. Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate in a bowl.
3. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes.
4. Stir gently until smooth and glossy.
5. Let cool before spreading or whipping for frosting.

For whipped ganache, chill it, then beat until creamy and fluffy.

More tips on making ganache can be found here.

4) Italian Meringue Buttercream

Italian Meringue Buttercream feels light and smooth on cakes. You whip egg whites and pour in hot sugar syrup for a silky, less-sweet result.

Once the meringue cools, add softened butter and keep mixing. You get a creamy frosting that pipes beautifully.

It’s a bit more stable in warm weather, thanks to the hot syrup. Great for cakes that need to look extra polished.

Ingredients

• 4 large egg whites
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup water
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine sugar and water in a saucepan and heat to 240°F (115°C).
2. Begin whipping egg whites in a mixer until soft peaks form.
3. Slowly pour the hot syrup into the egg whites while mixing.
4. Continue whipping until the mixture is glossy and cool.
5. Add softened butter a little at a time, mixing well after each addition.
6. Stir in vanilla extract.
7. Use immediately or store in the fridge until ready to frost.

Learn more about making Italian Meringue Buttercream here.

5) Peanut Butter Frosting

Peanut butter frosting is creamy, rich, and seriously good with chocolate or vanilla. It spreads easily and brings that nutty flavor everyone seems to crave.

Just a handful of ingredients and you’re set. It’s quick to whip up and you can make it as fluffy or as thick as you like.

Mix everything well and you’ll get a light, smooth frosting that holds its shape.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons milk

Cooking Instructions

1. Beat the softened butter until creamy.
2. Add the peanut butter and mix well.
3. Slowly add powdered sugar, mixing after each cup.
4. Add milk one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency.
5. Beat for 2-3 minutes until smooth and fluffy.

6) Salted Caramel Sauce Frosting

Salted caramel sauce frosting brings that sweet-salty combo to cakes and cupcakes. It’s smooth, creamy, and has a deep caramel flavor.

Start by making caramel with sugar, butter, and heavy cream. Add a pinch of salt for balance, then mix the caramel into butter and powdered sugar until fluffy.

It spreads nicely and stays soft. The subtle saltiness really makes it pop.

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat sugar in a pan over medium heat until it melts and turns amber.
2. Add butter and stir until melted.
3. Slowly pour in heavy cream, stirring constantly.
4. Remove from heat, add salt, and let cool.
5. Beat softened butter until creamy.
6. Gradually mix powdered sugar and caramel sauce into butter until smooth.

For a detailed recipe, see Salted Caramel Frosting Recipe.

7) Mascarpone Whipped Cream Frosting

Mascarpone whipped cream frosting is rich and smooth. You get mascarpone cheese mixed with whipped cream for a lighter touch than buttercream.

It’s great when you want something creamy but not overly sweet. You only need heavy cream, mascarpone, powdered sugar, and vanilla.

The slight tang from mascarpone balances the sweetness. Chill it a bit to firm up before spreading or piping.

Ingredients

• 8 oz mascarpone cheese
• 1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Chill the mascarpone and heavy cream before starting.
2. Beat mascarpone on medium-low until smooth.
3. Slowly add heavy cream while mixing.
4. Add powdered sugar and vanilla.
5. Whip on medium-high until soft peaks form.
6. Chill frosting for 15 minutes before using if needed.

8) Whipped Cream Frosting

Whipped cream frosting is light, fluffy, and not too sweet. It’s a nice match for rich cakes.

You can make it stable for piping by adding cream cheese or a stabilizer. That way, it won’t melt or weep all over your dessert.

It’s quick to make with just a few ingredients. The result is a creamy topping that tastes fresh and clean.

Ingredients

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream, cold
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional: 4 oz cream cheese (for stability)

Cooking Instructions

1. Chill your mixing bowl and beaters in the fridge for 10 minutes.
2. Pour the cold heavy cream into the bowl.
3. Whip on medium speed until soft peaks form.
4. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
5. Whip again until stiff peaks form but don’t overbeat.
6. For more stable frosting, beat in cream cheese before adding sugar.
7. Use immediately or chill until ready to frost.

For more tips, check this stabilized whipped cream frosting.

9) Cereal Milk Whipped Cream

Cereal milk whipped cream tastes just like the sweet milk at the bottom of your cereal bowl. It’s light, fluffy, and has a playful, nostalgic flavor.

Soak your favorite cereal in heavy cream overnight in the fridge. The cream picks up all the cereal’s flavor.

Whip the flavored cream with powdered sugar until it forms soft peaks. Use it on cakes, cupcakes, or even pancakes for something a little unexpected.

Cereals like Fruity Pebbles or Lucky Charms add color and fun.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 to 1 cup of your favorite cereal
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine heavy cream and cereal in a sealed container.
2. Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Stir a few times.
3. Strain out the cereal, keeping the flavored cream.
4. Whip the cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form.
5. Use immediately or keep chilled until ready to serve.

10) French Buttercream

French buttercream’s that rich, smooth frosting you get when you whip up egg yolks, sugar syrup, and butter. It’s creamy, a little custardy, and honestly, you can tweak it with vanilla or maybe a splash of brandy if you’re feeling fancy.

I love it on cakes and cupcakes. It holds its shape, but it’s not overly sweet—just flavorful enough to make you go back for another bite.

To make it, I cook sugar and water into a syrup. Then, I slowly whisk that hot syrup into egg yolks until the mixture gets thick and warm.

After that, I beat in soft, cubed butter until everything turns light and fluffy. That’s when you really know it’s done.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
• 3 tbsp water (45 mL)
• 5 large egg yolks
• 1 cup unsalted butter (227g), room temperature and cubed

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine sugar and water in a saucepan. Heat the mixture until it hits 240°F (115°C).

2. Whisk egg yolks in a bowl. Slowly pour in the hot syrup, whisking the whole time.

3. Keep whisking until the mixture thickens up and feels cool enough to touch.

4. Beat in the softened butter, adding a few pieces at a time. Mix until it’s smooth and fluffy.

5. Toss in any flavorings you like, then spread it on your cake.

For more details, check out this French Buttercream recipe.