Strawberry Buttercream Frosting – Eating Bird Food

Here’s how to make the best strawberry buttercream frosting with fresh strawberry puree. It’s creamy, fluffy, super easy to make and tastes delicious on your favorite dessert.

If you’ve never made homemade frosting before, stop what you’re doing and make this creamy strawberry buttercream frosting recipe asap!

I don’t make buttercream frosting that often, but when testing this frosting for my strawberry cake (coming tomorrow!) it was too easy and delicious to not share as a separate blog post because there are endless ways to use this frosting (see some ideas below). I’m already drooling thinking about pairing my healthy chocolate cupcakes with this strawberry frosting! Chocolate + strawberry = chef’s kiss!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s made with fresh real strawberries, resulting in the most beautiful pink color and a fresh strawberry flavor.
• You only need 4 simple ingredients.
• It’s thick, creamy and silky smooth!
• The strawberry buttercream frosting will instantly elevate your favorite cupcake or cake recipe!

Ingredients Needed

• butter – make sure you’re using butter that has been softened to room temperature. You can use salted or unsalted butter.
• strawberry puree – this is what gives the frosting its beautiful pink color and real strawberry flavor. There are a few ways you can make strawberry puree, but I typically just add fresh berries to a blender, blend until smooth and viola you’ve got strawberry puree!
• vanilla extract – a flavor enhancer.
• powdered sugar – provides the right level of sweetness and texture, ensuring a smooth and creamy consistency that’s easy to work with.

How to Make

Before you start making your frosting, make sure your butter has been softened to room temperature. It will take about an hour for your butter to soften fully to room temp on the counter. Alternatively, you can soften your butter in the microwave on a plate for about 10-20 seconds. Just make sure to unwrap the butter from the packaging before placing it in the microwave and don’t heat too long otherwise your butter will fully melt!

Add the strawberry puree, softened butter and vanilla to a large mixing bowl and use a hand mixer to whip the ingredients together on medium speed until combined. Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, whipping on medium speed until fully combined and fluffy and you reach your desired consistency. Scrape down the sides as needed to make sure everything is combined. You can also use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or whisk attachment for this if you have one!

How to Make Strawberry Puree

1. Wash and dry about 1 cup of fresh strawberries. Hull (remove green stems) with a knife.
2. Add strawberries to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. If the seeds are bothersome you can put the puree through a fine mesh strainer, but I don’t find it necessary.

Can I Use Frozen Strawberries?

Yes! You can totally use frozen strawberries to make strawberry puree. Just make sure to thaw the frozen strawberries fully before making the strawberry frosting.

Substitutions & Notes

• Dairy-free: To make this strawberry frosting dairy-free, simply substitute regular butter with vegan butter.
• Low-sugar: I haven’t tried it, but for a lower sugar option, you should be able to replace some of the powdered sugar with a sugar substitute like powdered erythritol or Swerve confectioners’ sugar. Adjust the amount to taste.

How to Frost

You can frost this in a variety of different ways! I usually just use a knife or spatula to spread the frosting on cake or cupcakes but you could also pipe it! Scoop the frosting into a piping bag or a plastic baggie. Cut the corner of the baggie and pipe out the frosting on your treats.

Ways to Use Strawberry Buttercream Frosting

This homemade strawberry buttercream frosting recipe makes enough to frost 15-18 cupcakes or an 8 or 6-inch layer cake. Here are some recipes that would be delicious with this frosting:

How to Store Leftovers

If you don’t use all of this frosting right away, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to use, bring it to room temperature and then re-whip with a handheld mixer or stand mixer before using.

Can I Freeze This Frosting?

Yes, you can freeze this strawberry buttercream frosting. Just place it in an airtight container or a freezer-safe plastic bag and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to use it, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then let it come to room temperature and give it a good stir or mix with a hand mixer before using.

More Frosting Recipes

Dessert Recipes to Try

Be sure to check out all of the dessert recipes here on EBF!