Learn how to make perfect buttercream every time! This beginner-to-advanced guide teaches you how to achieve smooth finishes, vibrant colors, and decorative piping with confidence.
🎂 Introduction
Buttercream is the heart of cake decorating — smooth, sweet, and endlessly versatile. Whether you’re creating a sleek wedding cake or adding playful swirls to a birthday treat, mastering buttercream is a must.
At Dilovens House, buttercream is one of the first techniques we teach in our decorating courses. Here’s your complete guide to getting it right, every time.
🧈 What Is Buttercream?
Buttercream is a soft, spreadable frosting made mainly from butter and sugar, with variations based on flavor, texture, and use. It can be colored, piped, smoothed, and flavored to match any style or event.
🧾 Basic Buttercream Recipe (Sri Lankan Friendly)
Ingredients:
- 250g unsalted butter (softened)
- 500g icing sugar (sifted)
- 2 tbsp milk or cream
- 1 tsp vanilla essence
Instructions:
- Beat butter for 5–8 minutes until pale and fluffy.
- Slowly add sifted icing sugar.
- Add milk and vanilla. Beat until smooth and spreadable.
💡 Tip: For a whiter buttercream, beat longer to lighten the color naturally or use white gel coloring.
🎨 How to Color Buttercream
- Use gel or paste food coloring (not liquid).
- Add color gradually using a toothpick or small spoon.
- Mix well and allow it to sit — colors deepen over time.
- For deep reds/blacks: mix the day before and let it mature.
✋ Achieving a Smooth Buttercream Finish
Tools Needed:
- Turntable
- Offset spatula
- Bench scraper
- Warm water or hot towel
Steps:
- Apply a crumb coat and chill.
- Add your main layer of buttercream.
- Use the scraper while rotating the turntable.
- Dip the scraper in warm water, dry it, and use it for a final smoothing pass.
💡 Practice is everything — the more cakes you smooth, the better you’ll get.
🌹 Basic Piping Techniques to Try
Once your buttercream is smooth, it’s time to get creative with piping.
🧁 Tools:
- Piping bags (disposable or reusable)
- Piping tips (start with 1M, 2D, 104, and round tips)
🎨 Simple Piping Styles:
- Rosettes – Use a star tip, swirl in a circle.
- Ruffles – Use petal tip 104, wiggle side to side.
- Drop Flowers – Press and release using a star tip.
- Beads & Borders – Use a round tip for pearls or dots.
🧊 How to Store & Use Buttercream
- Room temp (cool weather): up to 2 days
- Fridge: up to 1 week (rewhip before using)
- Freezer: up to 3 months (thaw in fridge overnight, then rewhip)
❌ Common Buttercream Problems (and Fixes)
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Too runny | Butter too soft or added too much milk | Chill and beat again |
| Air bubbles | Overbeaten or fast mixing | Mix on low at the end |
| Yellow color | Using yellow butter | Whip longer or use a whitening agent |
| Greasy feel | Hot environment | Chill the butter first, or use shortening mix |
💬 Final Thoughts
Mastering buttercream takes time, but it’s the foundation for nearly every style of cake decorating. From rustic finishes to elegant floral piping, once you’ve mastered the buttercream, you can take your cakes from homemade to high-end.
🎓 Learn With Us at Dilovens House!
We offer:
- Buttercream masterclasses
- Wedding cake decorating courses
- Hands-on piping practice
- 1-on-1 feedback and guidance
📌 Explore More:
🔗 [Beginner’s Guide to Cake Decorating]
🔗 [Join Our Decorating Courses in Sri Lanka]
🔗 [Follow Us on Instagram @DilovensHouse for Buttercream Tips & Videos]