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    Home » Dessert

    Lemon Buttercream Frosting

    July 12, 2022 by Lee 4 Comments This post may contain affiliate sales links.

    Jump to Recipe

    This Lemon Buttercream Frosting is creamy and sweet yet tart and tangy! It's the most perfect flavor; you'll want to eat this frosting by the spoonful! Best of all, it's gluten free, nut free and can easily be vegan!

    A Lemon Buttercream Frosting decorated cake with slices of lemon.

    This delicious lemon buttercream frosting only requires 5 ingredients and whips up in minutes! It's the perfect frosting for cakes, cupcakes, donuts and even cookies!

    If you’re looking for more frosting recipes, try Vegan Strawberry Buttercream Frosting, Vegan Raspberry Buttercream Frosting and Chocolate Fudge Frosting.

    REASONS TO LOVE THIS FROSTING 

    • Allergy Friendly- This recipe is gluten free, nut free and vegan. 
    • Smooth & Creamy- This lemon frosting is so soft and silky!
    • Lemon- This frosting has lemon juice and lemon zest!
    • Easy to Make- Whips up in one bowl with only 5 ingredients!

    INGREDIENT NOTES

    • Butter/Vegan Baking Stick- Make sure to use unsalted room temperature and not melted. Melted will make the frosting runny and it won’t even be fixed by putting it in the fridge.
    • Lemons- You only need about 2 medium lemons for this recipe.
    • Vanilla- Make sure to only use pure vanilla extract that is gluten free and vegan. If you use one that is not pure, the frosting will have a chemical taste. 
    • Water- This frosting uses water instead of milk!
    The ingredients for Lemon Buttercream Frosting.

    EXPERT BAKING TIPS

    CREAM THE BUTTER

    You could technically put all the ingredients in the bowl together and beat them at the same time.

    However, this can leave chunks of butter/vegan baking stick throughout the frosting.

    Your best bet is to beat the room temperature butter first until it is smooth and creamy for about two minutes. 

    Then beat in all the other ingredients.

    BE CAREFUL NOT TO MELT THE BUTTER

    If your butter/vegan baking stick is not at room temperature and soft, be careful if you plan on popping it in the microwave. Especially if you're using vegan baking sticks.

    Vegan baking sticks are different than butter in the sense that if they are too melted in your frosting, they will create a liquid mess and your frosting will be sliding all over your cakes and cupcakes.

    At that point, even putting the frosting in the fridge would not help. It will still be a liquid mess. 

    If you are using butter, popping the frosting in the fridge will sometimes help resolidify and make the frosting thicker and firmer but not always.

    STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS 

    Here are the steps to make this frosting! 

    STEP 1: CREAM THE VEGAN BAKING STICK OR BUTTER

    In the large bowl of an electric mixer or using a hand held mixer, beat the room temperature butter or vegan baking stick or butter until smooth and creamy. About 2 minutes.

    Creamed butter in a bowl.

    STEP 2: ADD IN THE VANILLA and Lemon Zest

    Add in the vanilla and lemon zest. Beat until combined.

    STEP 3: ADD IN THE REMAINING INGREDIENTS HALF AT A TIME

    With the mixer on low speed, slowly add in half the confectioners’ sugar, half the lemon juice and half the water. Beat until combined. It will look chunky at first.

    STEP 4: ADD THE SECOND HALF OF INGREDIENTS

    Then add in the second half of the confectioners' sugar, lemon juice and water and beat until combined again, creamy and smooth.

    A bowl of delicious Lemon Buttercream Frosting with a spatula.

    HOW TO MAKE THIS VEGAN 

    Follow these simple steps to make sure the frosting is vegan:

    • Make sure to use vegan baking sticks instead of butter.
    • Only use pure vanilla extract that's made in a gluten free and vegan facility. 
    A close up look at the frosting with bits of lemon zest.

    FAQ

    My frosting is too thick, what do I do?


    If the frosting is too thick, add more water ¼ teaspoon at a time until you get the desired consistency.

    My frosting is too thin, what do I do?


    If the frosting is too thin, add more confectioners’ sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time until you get the desired consistency.

    Can I make this frosting ahead of time?


    You can make this frosting the night before you need to use it. 

    Store it in an airtight container or a bowl covered with plastic wrap, in the fridge.

    When ready to use, let it come to room temperature and rewhip to get that creamy consistency.

    How much frosting does this recipe make?


    This recipe makes about 5 cups of frosting.

    That should be enough for a 3-4 layer cake or 24 cupcakes. 

    For 12 cupcakes or a one layer cake, divide the recipe in half.

    Do I have to add the lemon zest?


    No you don't, however the frosting will have a much more mild lemon flavor without it.

    Smoothing the top of a cake with Lemon Buttercream Frosting.

    STORING AND FREEZING 

    STORING 

    Store extra lemon buttercream frosting in an airtight container or a bowl covered in plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    When ready to use, let it come to room temperature on the counter and rewhip to get that creamy consistency.

    FREEZING

    You can freeze the frosting for up to one month in an airtight freezer safe container.

    To defrost, put the frosting in the fridge the night before. 

    When ready to use, let it come to room temperature on the counter and rewhip to get that creamy consistency.

    Cake with slices of lemon and frosting on a cake stand.

    OTHER LEMON RECIPES TO TRY

    • Bright yellow Eggless Lemon Curd in a glass ramekin.
      Eggless Lemon Curd
    • A stout Vegan Lemon Cupcake with lemon curd topping and confectioners’ sugar.
      Vegan Lemon Cupcakes
    • Scoop of No Churn Lemon Ice Cream with extra lemons on top.
      Lemon Curd Ice Cream

    Please leave me a star review below!

    Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @laneandgreyfare if you make my recipes and follow along on Pinterest! Enjoy!!! 

    A Lemon Buttercream Frosting decorated cake with slices of lemon.

    Lemon Buttercream Frosting

    This Lemon Buttercream Frosting is creamy and sweet yet tart and tangy! It's the most perfect flavor; you'll want to eat this frosting by the spoonful! Best of all, it's gluten free, nut free and can easily be vegan!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 24
    Calories 225 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup unsalted butter or vegan baking stick, room temperature
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 2 teaspoons lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)
    • 8 cups confectioners' sugar
    • 4 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice (about the juice of 1 lemon)
    • ¼ cup plus 2 teaspoons water , room temperature

    Instructions
     

    • In a large bowl of an electric mixer or using a hand held mixer, beat the room temperature butter or vegan baking stick until it is smooth and creamy. About 2-3 minutes.
    • Add in the vanilla and lemon zest and beat till combined. 
    • Add half the confectioners’ sugar, lemon juice and water and beat until combined. It will look chunky at first.
    • Beat in second half of the confectioner's sugar, lemon juice and water until combined, creamy and smooth. 

    Notes

    Storing: Store in an airtight container or a bowl covered with plastic wrap in fridge for up to 3 days. When ready to use, bring to room temperature and rewhip to get it creamy. 
    Freezing: You can freeze the lemon buttercream in an airtight container for up to 30 days. To defrost, put in fridge overnight. When ready to use, bring to room temperature and rewhip to get creamy. 
    For Vegan: Use vegan baking sticks. 
    Makes enough frosting for a 4 layer cake or 24 cupcakes. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 225kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 0.1gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 2mgPotassium: 6mgFiber: 0.02gSugar: 39gVitamin A: 237IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 3mgIron: 0.03mg
    Keyword Buttercream, Dairy Free, Eggless, Frosting, Gluten Free, lemon, lemon buttercream, lemon frosting, Nut Free, Vegan
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. john

      July 12, 2022 at 9:20 am

      5 stars
      What an easy and delicious frosting to make! My grandmother loves it!

      Reply
      • Lee

        July 12, 2022 at 4:59 pm

        SO glad!

        Reply
    2. Elaine Adamo

      July 12, 2022 at 4:53 pm

      5 stars
      Sooo delicious, the fresh lemons with the zest gives the frosting the perfect pop for a summers dessert

      Reply
      • Lee

        July 12, 2022 at 5:03 pm

        SO glad thank you!

        Reply

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