Description
Learn how to make sweet and creamy white chocolate buttercream frosting with this easy recipe. Although it looks plain, the frosting is made with melted white chocolate, so there’s extra flavor hiding in each creamy swirl. Be sure to use real white chocolate, and not white chocolate morsels. See recipe Notes.
Ingredients
- 6 ounces (170g) white chocolate, coarsely chopped
- 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 2 cups (240g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1/4 cup (60ml) heavy cream or half-and-half*
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Melt the white chocolate: Chop the white chocolate, then melt in a double boiler on the stove, or simply use the microwave: Place chopped white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl (I usually use a glass liquid measuring cup), and microwave in 20-second increments, stirring after every 20 seconds until completely smooth. Set it aside to cool at room temperature for 20 minutes. (Be sure the melted white chocolate has cooled for 20 minutes, so it’s still melted but not scorching hot, which would melt the butter.)
- In a medium bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed for 1 minute. Switch the mixer to low speed and slowly add the confectioners’ sugar.
- Stir the cooled white chocolate so that it is smooth, and then add it to the butter/sugar mixture. Switch the mixer to medium speed and beat for 2 minutes until combined and creamy.
- Add the cream, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat for 1 minute until combined. Taste. Add 1 more Tablespoon of heavy cream/milk if needed to thin out, if desired. Add another pinch of salt if frosting is too sweet.
- Use immediately or cover tightly and store for up to 1 week in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer. After freezing, thaw in the refrigerator, then beat the frosting on medium speed for a few seconds so it’s creamy again. After thawing or refrigerating, beating in a splash of heavy cream or milk will help thin the frosting out again, if needed. (It stiffens in the refrigerator.)
Notes
- Special Tools (affiliate links): Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand Mixer) | Glass Liquid Measuring Cup
- White Chocolate: Do NOT use white chocolate morsels in this frosting. Use pure white chocolate, which typically comes in 4-ounce bars, and can be found in the baking aisle near the chocolate chips. I like Baker’s or Ghirardelli brands.
- Cream: For the frosting, milk is OK to use instead of heavy cream or half-and-half. However, cream is preferred for creamiest texture.
- Quantity: This recipe is enough to frost 12–16 cupcakes, a 3-layer 6-inch cake, or a thin layer on a 9×13-inch quarter sheet cake. 1.5x the recipe for a 2-layer cake. (Doubling the recipe would be far too much.)
- Decorating Tips: Be sure to check out my Piping Tips 101 post (with video tutorial!), and my recommendations for essential cake baking & decorating tools.
Keywords: white chocolate buttercream frosting