Lavender Buttercream Frosting Recipe

If you’ve ever dreamed of elevating a simple cake or cupcake into something truly delightful, then this Lavender Buttercream Frosting Recipe is your new best friend. The subtle floral hint of lavender perfectly complements the rich, creamy sweetness of classic buttercream, creating a frosting that’s both elegant and irresistibly comforting. Whether you’re decorating for a special occasion or simply indulging yourself, this frosting brings a touch of springtime magic with every luscious bite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Getting this Lavender Buttercream Frosting Recipe just right depends on a handful of straightforward ingredients that come together beautifully. Each element plays an important role from the creamy texture to the delicate floral flavor and that dreamy pastel color.

• Unsalted butter: Using room temperature butter ensures a smooth and creamy base for the frosting.
• Ground dried lavender (culinary grade): This is the star flavor, carefully crushed to release its fragrant aroma without overpowering the frosting.
• Pure vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth, balancing the floral notes perfectly.
• Powdered sugar: Provides sweetness and thickens the frosting to a perfect pipeable consistency.
• Milk: Helps achieve the right frosting texture, adding just enough moisture.
• Pink and violet gel food coloring: Combines to create a beautiful pastel hue, making your frosting as pretty as it tastes.

How to Make Lavender Buttercream Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Lavender

The secret to a perfect Lavender Buttercream Frosting Recipe starts here — prepping your culinary lavender. Place the dried lavender buds into a zip-top bag and gently crush them with a rolling pin. This releases their delicate flavor without turning the frosting gritty, giving you just that subtle floral hint in every bite.

Step 2: Cream the Butter with Lavender and Vanilla

In your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the room temperature butter on medium speed until it starts to get creamy, about one minute. Then add one teaspoon of the ground lavender and the vanilla extract. Keep mixing until everything is beautifully blended and luxuriously smooth, around one more minute.

Step 3: Add Powdered Sugar and Milk

Gradually add 3 1/2 cups of powdered sugar alongside 2 tablespoons of milk to the butter mixture. Start beating on low speed for 30 seconds to avoid a sugar cloud, then crank it up to medium-high for about two minutes. Scrape down the bowl’s sides and bottom to keep that frosting evenly fluffy and fully mixed.

Step 4: Adjust for Perfect Texture and Flavor

This is where you make the frosting truly yours. If it’s too thin, blend in powdered sugar a quarter cup at a time; if too thick, pour in a little more milk by half-tablespoon increments. Feel like the lavender needs more punch? Add up to an extra teaspoon of ground buds. For sweetness that feels too intense, a tiny pinch of salt is your friend. Each adjustment should be followed by mixing, tasting, and fine-tuning until perfection is achieved.

Step 5: Add Gorgeous Color

Achieving the iconic look of this Lavender Buttercream Frosting Recipe comes with gentle strokes of gel food coloring. Using a toothpick, dip into pink, then violet gel coloring. Add a tiny dab of each directly into the frosting and blend until the hue is even and enticing. Remember to keep a fresh toothpick each time to keep colors clean and vibrant.

Step 6: Use or Store

Use your frosting immediately for the freshest results or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. This way, you’re ready to frost your next batch of cupcakes or cakes anytime the craving hits.

How to Serve Lavender Buttercream Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

To beautifully complement your Lavender Buttercream Frosting Recipe, think fresh and simple. A few edible violet petals or a light sprinkle of finely chopped crystallized lavender buds add an elegant touch that hints at the frosting’s star flavor. For an extra sparkle, a dusting of pearlized sugar or silver dragées can turn your desserts into celebration-ready masterpieces.

Side Dishes

This frosting pairs wonderfully with soft, light cakes such as vanilla bean, lemon, or almond sponge. For a delightful contrast, consider serving alongside fruity treats like fresh berries or a tart raspberry coulis. The floral notes in the frosting dance beautifully alongside bright, fruity accompaniments, making every bite a multi-layered experience.

Creative Ways to Present

Try piping your Lavender Buttercream Frosting Recipe in whimsical rosettes or delicate ruffles on cupcakes for a charming look. Swirling it atop a naked cake with fresh lavender sprigs tucked in for decoration makes for a chic, rustic impression. For an interactive dessert, set up a frosting bar with different pastel shades and lavender-infused toppings, inviting guests to personalize their sweet treats.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Got leftover frosting after your baking frenzy? Store it airtight in the refrigerator for up to one week. Make sure to give it a good stir with a spatula before using again to bring back that perfect creamy consistency.

Freezing

This Lavender Buttercream Frosting Recipe freezes well, making it a handy option for advance preparation. Place the frosting in an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag and freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and re-whip before using to refresh texture and fluffiness.

Reheating

Since this frosting is butter-based, avoid microwaving it to reheat. Instead, let it come to room temperature naturally and then beat it for a couple of minutes to restore its smooth and silky texture ready for piping or spreading.

FAQs

Can I use fresh lavender instead of dried in this recipe?

Fresh lavender can be more intense and watery, which might affect the frosting’s texture and flavor balance. Dried culinary-grade lavender is preferred because it offers the right concentration of flavor without adding moisture.

How strong will the lavender flavor be?

The lavender flavor in this frosting is subtle and elegant, never overwhelming. You can easily adjust the amount of dried lavender to suit your taste, making it as light or as pronounced as you prefer.

Is this frosting suitable for piping?

Absolutely! The creamy consistency of the Lavender Buttercream Frosting Recipe is perfect for piping decorations, borders, and rosettes that hold their shape beautifully.

Can I use this frosting on cakes already iced with other frostings?

Yes. This frosting works wonderfully as a final decorative layer or even as a filling between cake layers for an extra lavender touch.

What if I don’t have gel food coloring?

You can omit the coloring altogether or use natural alternatives like beet juice or butterfly pea flower powder for a subtle tint. However, gel food colors blend more easily and keep the frosting’s texture smooth.

Final Thoughts

This Lavender Buttercream Frosting Recipe is truly one of those delightful surprises that turns ordinary desserts extraordinary. Its smooth texture, gentle floral aroma, and soft pastel color come together to make any sweet treat feel special. Give it a try, and I guarantee it will become a go-to recipe that you’ll love sharing as much as you love tasting!

Lavender Buttercream Frosting Recipe

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A delightful homemade Lavender Buttercream Frosting combining the floral notes of culinary lavender with creamy butter and smooth powdered sugar. Perfect for adding a fragrant, colorful touch to cakes and cupcakes, this frosting is easy to prepare in just 10 minutes with simple ingredients and customizable consistency.

• Author: Paula
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 2 cups of frosting, enough for 2 servings or frosting one 8-inch cake
• Category: Frosting
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Buttercream Base Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 1–2 teaspoons ground dried lavender (culinary grade)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3–4 cups powdered sugar
• 2–3 Tablespoons milk (room temperature)
• 1 part pink gel food coloring
• 1 part violet gel food coloring

Instructions

1. Prepare the dried culinary lavender: Place the dried lavender buds inside a zip-top bag and crush them finely using a rolling pin to release their aroma and flavor.
2. Cream the butter and flavor: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the unsalted butter on medium speed for about 1 minute until creamy. Add 1 teaspoon of the ground dried lavender and the pure vanilla extract, then continue beating until fully incorporated and creamy, approximately another minute.
3. Add powdered sugar and milk: Pour 3 1/2 cups (approximately 400 grams) of powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of room temperature milk into the bowl. Mix on low speed for 30 seconds to incorporate, then increase to medium-high speed and beat for 2 minutes until the frosting is smooth and fluffy. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed to ensure even mixing.
4. Adjust consistency and flavor: If the frosting is too thin, gradually add up to 1/2 cup more powdered sugar in 1/4 cup increments, mixing after each addition. If it is too thick, add more milk 1/2 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached. For a stronger lavender flavor, add an additional teaspoon of ground dried lavender. If the frosting tastes too sweet, add a pinch (about 1/8 teaspoon) of salt. Mix thoroughly, taste, and adjust as needed.
5. Color the frosting: Using a clean toothpick, dip into the pink gel food coloring and add a small amount into the frosting. Repeat with violet gel food coloring. Mix the frosting well until colors are evenly distributed. Always use a fresh toothpick when adding more color to avoid contamination.
6. Store or use immediately: Use the frosting right away to decorate cakes or cupcakes. If not using immediately, transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week. Before use, bring to room temperature and beat lightly to restore creamy texture.

Notes

• Use culinary-grade lavender to avoid bitterness and ensure food safety.
• Adjust lavender quantity carefully to avoid overpowering the frosting.
• Gel food coloring is preferred to maintain frosting consistency without thinning.
• Butter and milk should be at room temperature for smooth mixing.
• If storing, allow frosting to come to room temperature before using and beat briefly to refresh texture.