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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Frosting Recipes

    Brown Sugar Buttercream

    Published: Jan 22, 2025 by Lisa Killian ยท This post may contain affiliate links. Please read myย  disclosure policy.

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    This is an easy and delicious brown sugar buttercream that will have everyone raving! Smooth and delicious every time!

    brown sugar frosting in bowl with spatula

    I've shared my favorite chocolate fudge frosting recipe, my classic buttercream frosting, this amazing caramel frosting, and now there is this beauty! Brown Sugar Buttercream Frosting!

    It is an easy spin off of my classic buttercream and perfect for those fall desserts that need a little more sweetness!

    Brown Sugar Frosting Ingredients

    With only a handful of ingredients, you can make this delicious frosting!

    • Butter- Unsalted, if you use salted don't add salt later in the recipe
    • Brown Sugar- Light or Dark
    • Powdered Sugar
    • Heavy Cream
    • Salt
    • Vanilla
    brown sugar frosting on spatula

    How to make brown sugar buttercream:

    • Whip butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy
    • Mix in powdered sugar 1 cup at a time and heavy cream 1tbs at a time
    • Mix in a pinch of salt and vanilla
    • Mix on high until fluffy and everything is fully incorporated!
    • Enjoy!
    butter in bowl
    brown sugar and butter in bowl
    brown sugar and butter whipped
    adding powdered sugar to bowl
    adding heavy cream to bowl
    frosting whipped in bowl

    This is the frosting I always use on my sweet potato cupcakes. It is so good and the perfect baring for all your favorite fall recipes.

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    sweet potato cupcake with frosting and cupcakes in background

    How to incorporate brown sugar into frosting?

    Mix your butter and brown sugar on low at first, then increase to medium speed. When incorporating your powdered sugar and heavy cream keep speed on medium-low for 1 minute or 2 until the texture is smooth and not gritty.

    Can you use brown sugar instead of confectioner sugar in frosting?

    You can use all brown sugar but the structure/stability and the texture of the frosting will be different. Powdered sugar (confectioners sugar) typically has additives that help with stabilization.

    How to get air bubbles out of frosting for icing cakes?

    When you are looking for a really smooth icing for frosting cakes (like my pink and gold cake, or my german chocolate cake), you will want to beat the frosting on low for 30 seconds after mixing on high to activate the heavy cream.

    Beating on low gets the large air bubbles out.

    If you like this recipe make sure to check out my other desserts! Youโ€™ll find delicious recipes like my award-winning white chocolate cheesecake, the best homemade chocolate cake, and my favorite caramel corn!

    brown sugar frosting Pinterest image

    Video

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    brown sugar frosting on spatula featured image

    Brown Sugar Buttercream

    A delicious brown sugar buttercream that is smooth and easy to make!
    4.41 from 22 votes
    Print Pin
    Author: Lisa Killian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 24 cupcakes (makes 2.5 cups)

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup unsalted butter slightly softened and cut into chunks
    • 1 cup brown sugar lightly packed
    • 5 cups powdered sugar
    • 5 tbs heavy cream
    • 1 tbs vanilla*
    • Pinch of salt

    Instructions

    • In a stand mixer, whip your butter chunks and brown sugar on medium low speed until the butter is light and fluffy and the brown sugar is incorporated.
      1 cup unsalted butter, 1 cup brown sugar
      brown sugar and butter whipped
    • Add in the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time and the heavy cream 1 tbs at a time, letting it mix into the butter completely.
      5 cups powdered sugar, 5 tbs heavy cream
      adding heavy cream to bowl
    • Add in the vanilla and a pinch of salt, allowing the ingredients to incorporate fully on medium low speed.
      1 tbs vanilla*, Pinch of salt
      frosting whipped in bowl

    Notes

    Tips and Tricks
    • Gritty frosting: to avoid gritty frosting from the brown sugar, mix the butter and brown sugar on medium-low until full incorporated. Then mix in the powdered sugar and heavy cream on medium until smooth.ย 
    • Check out my sweet potato cupcakes to see how to frost the cupcakes!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 18mg | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 282IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg

    Post updated on 8/14/2021

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    Comments

      4.41 from 22 votes (20 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Kristin says

      October 19, 2019 at 8:35 am

      Is it still supposed to be a little grainy?

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        October 21, 2019 at 12:16 pm

        It might be slightly only because you are using the brown sugar.

        Reply
    2. Deepti says

      August 19, 2019 at 5:52 am

      Hello do you think this will go well with a Dark Chocolate Cake?

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        August 19, 2019 at 1:57 pm

        I think it would be delicious- but you can also try my dark chocolate frosting or vanilla buttercream too!

        Reply
    3. Alexis says

      February 18, 2019 at 2:29 pm

      5 stars
      This was the best brown sugar buttercream!

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        February 19, 2019 at 12:03 pm

        5 stars
        Thanks! I'm so glad you liked it!

        Reply
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    Hey, I'm Lisa!

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