Alton Brown American Buttercream Recipe

Alton Brown American Buttercream Recipe is made with unsalted butter, shortening, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, buttermilk, and sour cream. This recipe creates a rich, tangy, and smooth American-style buttercream frosting. It takes about 15 minutes to prepare and yields 4 cups.

Alton Brown American Buttercream Recipe Ingredients

• 1/4 cup low-fat buttermilk, cold
• 2 tablespoons full-fat sour cream, cold
• 18 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, at cool room temperature (about 65°F)
• 3 ounces unflavored shortening, at room temperature
• 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

How To Make Alton Brown American Buttercream Recipe

1. Chill Dairy Mixture: Combine the buttermilk and sour cream in a small bowl, stir well, and refrigerate until needed.
2. Mix Butter and Sugar: Place butter and shortening in a stand mixer bowl, sift in the sugar, and beat on low to incorporate.
3. Add Vanilla and Salt: Add vanilla extract and kosher salt, then increase speed to medium and beat until light and airy, about 5–6 minutes.
4. Incorporate Dairy: Add the chilled buttermilk-sour cream mixture and beat on low until integrated.
5. Final Mix: Scrape the bowl, then beat again on medium speed for 15 seconds until smooth.

Recipe Tips

• Use High-Quality Sugar: Opt for Domino powdered sugar to avoid a gritty texture.
• Chill Dairy Components: Cold buttermilk and sour cream help create a better texture.
• Room Temperature Butter: Ensure butter is soft but still cool for proper emulsification.
• Don’t Overmix: Stop mixing once the frosting is smooth to avoid breaking the emulsion.
• Store Properly: Refrigerate in an airtight container or freeze for extended storage.

What To Serve With Buttercream

This buttercream pairs well with vanilla cake, chocolate cupcakes, red velvet cake, sugar cookies, or as a filling for sandwich cookies. It also works great as a topping for brownies or layered cakes.

How To Store Buttercream

Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature and re-whip for best texture before using.
Freeze: Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and re-whip before using.

Buttercream Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 210 (per 2-tbsp serving)
• Total Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Sugar: 19g
• Protein: 0g
• Sodium: 90mg

FAQs

Can I use all butter instead of shortening?
Yes, but shortening helps with stability, especially in warmer conditions.

Why add sour cream and buttermilk?
They add a slight tang that balances the sweetness and enhances flavor complexity.

Can I make this without a stand mixer?
Yes, but it may require more effort and time to achieve the same fluffy texture.

Is this frosting suitable for piping?
Yes, it’s quite stable and smooth, ideal for piping onto cakes and cupcakes.

Can I color this buttercream?
Absolutely—use gel food coloring for vibrant hues without altering the texture.

Try More Recipes:

• Alton Brown Ambrosia Recipe
• Alton Brown 7 Minute Frosting Recipe
• Alton Brown Almond Recipe