Nothing compares to homemade frosting! Find all the best frosting recipes in this collection, including buttercream, chocolate, cream cheese and more.
38 Homemade Frosting Recipes to Top Any Dessert
Updated on Sep. 17, 2024
Chocolate Ganache
This smooth, satin chocolate ganache recipe will bring a touch of elegance to even the most basic cake. A simple garnish, like fresh fruit, adds the finishing touch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Learn how to decorate a cake like a pro!
1/38
2/38
Italian Meringue Buttercream
Total Time
45 min
Servings
4 cups.
From the Recipe Creator:
I use this creamy Italian meringue buttercream on my lemon-raspberry cupcakes. It's not as sweet as American buttercream, so it really complements the sweetness of the cupcakes. —Katelyn Craft, Stamford, New York
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 63 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 1mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
3/38
Peanut Butter Frosting
Total Time
10 min
Servings
4 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
This simple peanut butter buttercream frosting makes enough to frost a three- or four-layer cake. For peanut butter-lovers, this is the only frosting they need in their recipe boxes. —Iola Egle, Bella Vista, Arkansas
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 318 calories, 20g fat (9g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 162mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (31g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
Get tips from our Test Kitchen on how to frost a cake so it looks fresh from the bakery.
4/38
French Buttercream
Total Time
40 min
Servings
4 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
French buttercream has a custard-like texture and is great if you're going to be piping shapes or decorations. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 72 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 44mg cholesterol, 47mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
5/38
Best Vanilla Buttercream
Total Time
30 min
Servings
5 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Why is this recipe crowned the best vanilla buttercream frosting? With its powerfully decadent vanilla bean flavor and delightfully creamy texture, your family and friends will scrape every last bit of this frosting off their plates. —Margaret Knoebel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 144 calories, 11g fat (7g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 43mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
Here are different types of buttercream frostings.
6/38
Coconut Pecan Frosting
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2-1/2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
This sweet and textured frosting pairs well with a number of cakes, including German chocolate cake. It has minimal, pantry-ready ingredients and unlike most frostings, it's cooked. —Jane Uphoff, Cunningham, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 173 calories, 13g fat (7g saturated fat), 44mg cholesterol, 50mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
7/38
Chocolate Peanut Butter Frosting
Total Time
10 min
Servings
1-2/3 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Chocolate and peanut butter are such an enjoyable combination. This delicious chocolate peanut butter frosting makes a satisfying topping to these moist chocolate cupcakes.—Ruthe Stevenson, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Check out our collection of the best types of frosting.
Nutrition Facts:
1 tablespoon: 90 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 57mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
8/38
German Buttercream
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
This German buttercream frosting is super silky and buttery. It's pleasantly sweet, but not overly sweet like some American buttercreams can be. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 51 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 36mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
9/38
Cream Cheese Frosting
Total Time
10 min
Servings
about 3 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
This smooth, versatile cream cheese frosting has a delicate vanilla flavor. The woman who made the wedding cake for our daughter, Leanne, and her groom, Billy, used this recipe. It's also excellent on carrot cake. —Sharon Lugdon, Greenbush, Maine
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 234 calories, 9g fat (6g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 109mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
10/38
Rich Chocolate Frosting
Total Time
15 min
Servings
about 8 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband, Doug, loved his groom's cake that was topped with this smooth, rich chocolate buttercream frosting and accented with chocolate-covered strawberries. —Amy Via, North Richland, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 257 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 95mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (33g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
11/38
Blackberry Buttercream
Total Time
10 min
Servings
5 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Juicy blackberry buttercream frosting has a stunning color and sophisticated flavor. This frosting works especially well on rich, decadent chocolate cake. —Jocelyn Delk Adams, GrandBaby-Cakes.com
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 165 calories, 9g fat (6g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 5mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
12/38
Vanilla Frosting
Total Time
10 min
Servings
About 3 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
After trying a few buttercream frosting recipes, this easy vanilla buttercream frosting takes the cake with its unmatchable homemade taste. With a few simple variations, you can come up with different colors and flavors. —Diana Wilson, Denver, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 124 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 40mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
13/38
Old-Fashioned Ermine Frosting
Total Time
20 min
Servings
5 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Ermine frosting brings back memories of being in the kitchen with my grandmother. This old-timey frosting was her go-to for cakes when she didn't have cornstarch or cream cheese. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 60 calories, 4g fat (3g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 50mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
14/38
Cupcake Frosting
Total Time
15 min
Servings
5-1/2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Simple vanilla frosting is a great topper for any cupcake. I frosted 300 cupcakes with this recipe for my wedding in lieu of a traditional cake. It made for a delicious bridal twist. — Annie Rundle, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
15/38
Peanut Butter Whipped Cream Frosting
Total Time
10 min
Servings
2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
A luscious peanut butter whipped cream frosting is just a few ingredients away. Try it piped over your favorite chocolate cupcakes or dolloped onto hot chocolate. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 68 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 13mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
16/38
Royal Icing
Total Time
10 min
Servings
about 1 cup
From the Recipe Creator:
Curious to learn how to make royal icing? Our Test Kitchen experts have mastered this royal icing recipe for this stunning cookie decoration. Royal icing is different from other types of icing because it dries quickly and has a super-smooth finish—perfect for decorating! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 teaspoon: 24 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 3mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
17/38
Fluffy White Frosting
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
For a heavenly light and fluffy frosting, you can't top this variation of the classic seven-minute frosting. —Georgia Bohmann, West Allis, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 35 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 7mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
Also, check how to make canned frosting taste like homemade.
18/38
Amaretto Butter Frosting
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2-1/4 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Put the crowning touch on cupcakes with this rich and buttery Amaretto topper. —Anette Stevens, Olds, Alberta
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 86 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 20mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
19/38
Bakery Frosting
Total Time
10 min
Servings
8 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe makes it easy to capture the fabulous flavor of cakes from the best bakeries. A big batch of this sweet frosting keeps for 3 months in the refrigerator. —Barbara Jones, Tower Hill, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1/3 cup: 305 calories, 17g fat (5g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 0 sodium, 39g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
20/38
Creamy Fudge Frosting
Total Time
15 min
Servings
1-1/2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
For every occasion that calls for chocolate frosting, keep this fudgy recipe close by. With just five ingredients from the pantry, you’ve got magic in minutes. —Linda Schend, Kenosha, Wisconsin
21/38
Strawberry Cupcakes with Whipped Cream Frosting
Total Time
40 min
Servings
16 cupcakes
From the Recipe Creator:
Fresh strawberries are full of water, so they have a tendency to weigh down cake batters and make soggy cakes. That’s why these strawberry cupcakes rely on strawberry jam or preserves. The concentrated flavor is just right for light and tender cupcakes. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cupcake: 353 calories, 21g fat (13g saturated fat), 60mg cholesterol, 184mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
22/38
Winter White Filling or Frosting
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2 cups filling or 6 cups frosting
From the Recipe Creator:
How versatile! Prepare this recipe for use as a cake filling, frosting or both. —Sarah Thompson, Greenfield, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 83 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 44mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
23/38
Buttercream Frosting
Total Time
10 min
Servings
5 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
A few simple ingredients make a creamy frosting that finishes cakes, cupcakes and cookies. If you love making desserts, keep this buttercream frosting recipe handy. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 136 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 38mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
24/38
Apple Pie Cupcakes
Total Time
40 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These apple pie cupcakes are always a hit! They are so easy to make and the flavor just screams fall. Of course, they're equally delicious any other time of year. —Jennifer Stowell, Deep River, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 cupcake: 300 calories, 15g fat (7g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 221mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (32g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
25/38
Emily's Strawberry Cake with Strawberry Buttercream
Total Time
40 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband loved his mamaw's strawberry cake recipe. He thought no one could duplicate it. I made it, and it’s just as scrumptious as he remembers. —Jennifer Bruce, Manitou, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 532 calories, 21g fat (7g saturated fat), 51mg cholesterol, 340mg sodium, 85g carbohydrate (69g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
26/38
Powdered Sugar Glaze
Total Time
5 min
Servings
3/4 cup
From the Recipe Creator:
This versatile glaze is shared by our Test Kitchen. You can make the basic confectioners' sugar glaze and tint it with food coloring if desired. For chocolate lovers, skip the food coloring and stir in some baking cocoa.
Nutrition Facts:
1 teaspoon: 31 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 0 sodium, 8g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
27/38
Espresso Filling
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2-1/4 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Coffee lovers will go crazy for cakes made with this heavenly filling. It's rich, decadent and irresistible! —Megan Byers, Wichita, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 222 calories, 21g fat (12g saturated fat), 60mg cholesterol, 24mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
28/38
Maple Glaze for Doughnuts
Total Time
5 min
Servings
1 cup
From the Recipe Creator:
Cider doughnuts are a tradition in Vermont, but here in Texas, we love maple flavors, too. Our glaze of choice features delicious maple syrup. —Barbara Elliott, Tyler, Texas. Looking for more? Check out our collection of the best Vermont recipes.
Nutrition Facts:
4 teaspoons: 89 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 3mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
29/38
Vanilla Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
There's a reason this vanilla cake recipe is the best. Adding creamy vanilla bean paste into the moist, rich cake batter creates a power-packed vanilla flavor that can't be bought in stores. Try spreading vanilla buttercream frosting on top to finish it off. —Margaret Knoebel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 399 calories, 16g fat (8g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 462mg sodium, 59g carbohydrate (32g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
30/38
Chewy Gingerbread Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These moist, delicious ginger cookies have an old-fashioned appeal that'll take you back to Grandma's kitchen. I'm never surprised when these treats disappear quickly from my cookie jar.—Bernice Smith, Sturgeon Lake, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 73 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 53mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
31/38
Favorite Frosted Brownies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These are my tried-and-true brownies for many holidays. Everyone always agrees that they are absolutely yummy! I sometimes top them with candy sprinkles for a little color. —Barbara Birk, St. George, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
1 brownie: 445 calories, 20g fat (12g saturated fat), 107mg cholesterol, 273mg sodium, 64g carbohydrate (49g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
32/38
Buttermilk Cake with Caramel Icing
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This fabulous cake and caramel frosting are so tender, it melts in your mouth. It's been a family favorite since the '70s and it goes over really well at church potluck meals. —Anna Jean Allen, West Liberty, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 419 calories, 17g fat (11g saturated fat), 79mg cholesterol, 230mg sodium, 63g carbohydrate (44g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
33/38
Funfetti Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This simple and tender cake has been celebrated in my family for years. Dressed up with tinted frosting and confetti, it becomes pure party fun. — Karen Berner, New Canaan, Connecticut
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 436 calories, 24g fat (15g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 239mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
Editor’s Tip:Â Tint white frosting with liquid, gel or paste food coloring. Liquid will give a pastel color; gel and paste give a deeper color. Add a little at a time, stir in and check the color. You can always add more, but it’s hard to lighten the color. The color generally darkens as the frosting dries.
34/38
Banana Cake with Chocolate Frosting
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I always requested banana cake with fudge frosting for my birthday. Mom’s recipe is attached to my fridge—and my heart. It’s funny how many memories live on in a stained handwritten recipe card. On a more practical note: It's important to make sure the whipped cream cheese is truly at room temperature before you use it. If not, it chills the softened butter and makes for lumpy frosting. —Jeanne Ambrose, Des Moines, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 606 calories, 28g fat (16g saturated fat), 111mg cholesterol, 510mg sodium, 85g carbohydrate (62g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein.
35/38
Frosted Pumpkin Doughnuts
Total Time
50 min
Servings
about 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Our three children grew pumpkins to sell. During harvest, it was time to make these scrumptious doughnuts. The orange frosting is super. —Connie Simon, Reed City, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 doughnut: 184 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 111mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
36/38
Chocolate Spice Cake with Caramel Icing
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I found this recipe back in the late '80s and knew it was a special cake. The caramel icing can be a little tricky because you have to work quickly, but it's so worth it! —Mariann James, Ferguson, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 589 calories, 24g fat (15g saturated fat), 110mg cholesterol, 347mg sodium, 92g carbohydrate (70g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.
37/38
Butterscotch Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I get lots of compliments and recipe requests whenever I make this eye-catching cake. The filling is similar to German chocolate cake. —Judy Lamon, Louisville, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 765 calories, 36g fat (15g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 422mg sodium, 103g carbohydrate (79g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein.
38/38
White Chocolate Coconut Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This eye-catching cake is my own creation. The white "snowball" look makes it the perfect choice for a holiday celebration. —Greta Kirby, Carthage, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 625 calories, 32g fat (23g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 436mg sodium, 80g carbohydrate (61g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.
