Description
This Fresh Strawberry Buttercream recipe creates a luscious and creamy frosting made from real strawberries and smooth butter, perfect for adding a fruity twist to cakes and cupcakes. The process involves reducing fresh strawberries into a concentrated purée that infuses the buttercream with natural strawberry flavor and a subtle sweetness. This buttercream is silky, flavorful, and perfect for frosting your favorite desserts.
Ingredients
Scale
Fresh Strawberry Reduction
- 5 Oz (1 Cup) fresh strawberries, chopped (see notes for frozen berries)
Buttercream
- 1 Cup (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3 1/2 Cups (420g) powdered sugar
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Make the Reduced Strawberry Purée: Using a food processor, purée the chopped fresh strawberries until smooth, yielding about ½ cup of purée. Transfer this purée to a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring it to a boil, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes until it thickens to a jam-like consistency and reduces by half, resulting in approximately ¼ cup of reduced purée. Allow it to cool completely to room temperature, either on the counter or in the refrigerator.
- Make the Strawberry Buttercream: With a hand mixer or paddle attachment on a stand mixer, beat the room temperature unsalted butter on medium-high speed for about 5 minutes, until creamy and smooth.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, about 1 cup at a time, mixing on low speed to incorporate fully before adding the next addition. Scrap down the sides of the bowl and paddle as needed to ensure even mixing.
- Incorporate Strawberry Purée and Salt: Add the cooled reduced strawberry purée and a pinch of salt to the buttercream. Continue mixing on low speed for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and fully combined. Scrape down the bowl and paddle if necessary.
Notes
- If using frozen strawberries, thaw completely, drain excess liquid, and then proceed with puréeing and reducing.
- Ensure the strawberry purée is completely cooled to room temperature before incorporating to prevent melting the butter.
- For best results, use unsalted butter at room temperature to achieve a smooth and creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert Frosting
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: strawberry buttercream, fresh strawberry frosting, buttercream recipe, strawberry frosting, fresh berry frosting
