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A delicious plate of The Best Lemon Buttercream Recipe (video)

The Best Lemon Buttercream Recipe

This lemon buttercream is light, fluffy, and bursting with zesty flavor, perfect for cakes and cupcakes!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 3 cups
Course: Dessert, Frosting
Cuisine: American
Calories: 1171
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 454 g unsalted butter softened
  • 360 g confectioner's sugar
  • 1 tsp lemon extract
  • 2 tsp citric acid
  • 1 packet lemon zest from 1 to 2 lemons
  • 1 packet yellow food color

Equipment

  • Mixer

Method
 

  1. Soft the unsalted butter at room temperature until slightly soft to touch, but not melted. Place the butter into a mixer bowl and whisk on high speed for 6 to 9 minutes until fluffy and pale.
  2. Add the confectioner's sugar and whisk first on low speed until incorporated, then on high speed for 3 to 4 minutes until fluffy.
  3. Add the lemon extract, citric acid, lemon zest, and yellow food coloring; whisk for about 30 seconds, scrape down the sides, and whisk again for another 30 seconds until well combined.

Notes

This buttercream can be used for layering cakes, filling pastries, or decorating cupcakes. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, but make sure to cover it well.