Lemon Buttercream Frosting

5 from 9 votes

Lemon Buttercream Frosting is silky smooth with a sweet lemony flavor. Real lemon juice and lemon zest give this frosting the best flavor for all of your baking needs that call for a bright, fresh lemon taste.

Prep Time10

Total Time10

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 85kcal

Author: Lauren Harris

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
2-3 tablespoons whole milk (or heavy cream)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon lemon juice (fresh squeezed)
1 tablespoon lemon zest
4 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

Cream the butter in the bowl of an electric mixture fitted with a paddle on medium speed until smooth.
1/2 cup unsalted butter
Lower the speed and add 2 tablespoons of the milk, vanilla extract, lemon juice, lemon zest and powdered sugar.
2-3 tablespoons whole milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, 4 cups powdered sugar
Increase the speed and mix until well combined and smooth. Add additional milk, if needed. The frosting should be thick, smooth, and spreadable.

Notes

Tips and Techniques

Use fresh squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor. Bottled lemon juice just doesn’t have the same taste and lemon extract is also not going to result in the same, fresh lemon flavor.
You can add yellow gel food color, if a more colorful frosting is desired.
Store extra buttercream in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When properly store, buttercream frosting can last up to one month in the refrigerator.

** Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary. This recipe makes about 2 cups of frosting. Each serving is approximately 1 tablespoon.

Nutrition