Easy Lime Buttercream Frosting
This lime buttercream frosting has fresh lime juice and zest. It is a light, bright frosting that pairs perfectly with desserts featuring produce that’s in season during the spring and summer.
How To Make This Lime Frosting Recipe
My favorite way to enjoy this buttercream is on a lime cake. Before serving, a dash of fresh lime zest can go a long way. Here are the step-by-step instructions to help you recreate this luscious lime buttercream frosting at home.
Step 1: Cream The Butter
Cream the butter with a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until it becomes a smooth consistency.
Step 2: Add The Powdered Sugar
After beating the butter, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. There should be no dry streaks of powdered sugar in the mixture.
Pro Tip
Use a kitchen towel to prevent powdered sugar from spilling out of the bowl.
Step 3: Add The Other Ingredients to the Buttercream Frosting
Finally, add zest, lime juice, vanilla extract, and salt. Next, set the mixer to low speed. Beat until combined and the lime buttercream is smooth.
Sometimes, I freeze buttercream in an airtight container for later use. However, this buttercream frosting is best if used fresh. The lime flavor comes through after adding the freshly squeezed lime juice.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Here are the ingredients needed and substitutions for this lime frosting recipe.
Unsalted butter – This buttercream frosting uses room temperature unsalted butter. You can substitute it with salted butter. When using salted butter, don’t add salt.
Lime zest – This frosting recipe uses limes, but you can substitute lime with key limes.
Lime juice – The juice adds flavor and helps the ingredients get fully incorporated.
What Desserts Can I Make With This Frosting
Use this buttercream to frost single-layer cakes, cupcakes, or sandwich cookies.
Here are a few other desserts you can use this frosting with:
- Matcha cake
- Strawberry cake
- Lemon blueberry cupcakes
Store frosted desserts in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Leave a star rating and review if you try this lime buttercream frosting recipe!
Lime Buttercream Frosting
Equipment
- 1 stand mixer or electric mixer
- Spatula
- 1 dry measuring cup set
- 1 measuring spoon set
Ingredients
- 1 ½ sticks (169 grams) unsalted butter room temperature
- 3 cups (336 grams) powdered sugar or confectioners sugar
- ¾ teaspoon lime zest
- 2-5 tablespoons lime juice
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Add unsalted butter to a bowl. Use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment to cream the butter. Set the mixer to medium speed and beat for at least 2 minutes or until smooth and light in color.
- Add the powdered sugar to the creamed butter. Mix on medium-high speed for about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides.
- Add the sea salt, vanilla, lime juice, milk, and lime zest. Mix for another minute. Add salt to taste if necessary.
