This is the best strawberry buttercream recipe made from real strawberries! Thick strawberry puree made from fresh or frozen berries mixed into creamy easy vanilla buttercream frosting. This recipe pairs well with lemon cake, vanilla cake, strawberry cake, or even chocolate cupcakes.
The trick to this strawberry buttercream is getting the strawberry puree to the right consistency by reducing it. The longer the berries are reduced, the thicker they will become and the more flavor will be concentrated. When strawberries are fresh, juicy, and warmed by the sun, there’s nothing like it, but frozen strawberries are a wonderful alternative that give the same real strawberry flavor.
Table of contents
Strawberry Buttercream Ingredients
Strawberries: If you have fresh berries available then this is a great way to use them and save that seasonal flavor. If not, frozen berries are just as good because they are picked at the peak of ripeness and flash frozen. The freezing process starts to break down the berries, so as they thaw they will release their juices and break down quicker in the reduction process. Freeze-dried strawberries won't work as well in this buttercream, because the butter will prevent the strawberries from rehydrating and releasing their flavor.
Pasteurized Egg whites: Pasteurized egg whites are heat-treated (like milk) so they are safe to eat. They usually come in a box carton in the egg aisle. If you don’t have pasteurized egg whites then you can use my Swiss Meringue Buttercream recipe instead. Note that undercooked egg whites are not recommended for pregnant women just to be on the safe side.
Butter: Using good quality, real butter is best, but you can substitute it with margarine, vegan butter, or vegetable shortening. I can’t guarantee the taste will be the same, but you can use whatever is your preference! You can also mix the strawberry puree into any of my buttercream recipes, like Swiss meringue buttercream, American buttercream, and even cream cheese frosting. 
How to Make Strawberry Buttercream
I recommend making the strawberry puree a day ahead, or at least 2 hours ahead so that it has time to cool. The buttercream can be made ahead of time as well, but it comes together quickly so I like to make it when you're ready to use it. You can use store-bought strawberry preserves instead of homemade strawberry puree for an easy version of this recipe. It won't have the exact same flavor, but will still be delicious!
Making the Strawberry Puree
- Place the fresh or frozen whole strawberries and sugar in a saucepan and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, this will break down the berries and release the juices.
- Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Using an immersion blender, blend until the berries are a smooth consistency and there are no large chunks of strawberries. You can also pour the mixture into a food processor if you don’t have an immersion blender.
- Return the berries to low heat and continue to reduce until the excess water has evaporated and you have reached a thick consistency, this can take up to 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning on the bottom of the pan. For this buttercream, we want a thick strawberry jam consistency with an intense strawberry flavor.
- Cool the puree completely before adding it to the buttercream, or it will melt the butter. The puree can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for 6 months. Pro-tip: Make the reduced strawberry puree during strawberry season and freeze it to use during the winter.
- You will only need about a cup of strawberry puree for this frosting. I like to use the rest as a filling, on top of ice cream, or in my fresh strawberry cake or doctored box mix strawberry cake recipes.
Making the Strawberry Buttercream
- Place the egg whites and powdered sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the whisk attachment, combine the ingredients on low speed and then whip on high speed for 1 to 2 minutes to dissolve the powdered sugar.
- Add in the salt and vanilla extract.
- Add the softened butter in chunks and whip with the whisk attachment for 8 to 10 minutes until it no longer tastes like butter. It will look curdled at first but this is normal, just keep whipping.
- If your buttercream continues to look curdled, remove about ⅓ cup of buttercream and melt it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds until it is barely melted. Pour it back into the whipping buttercream to bring it all together.
- Switch to the paddle attachment and mix on low for about 10 minutes to remove the air bubbles and create super smooth buttercream. This is optional but will make it extra creamy.
- Add about 1 cup (8 oz) of room temperature strawberry puree and lemon zest to the buttercream and mix until combined. You can add additional strawberry puree a quarter cup at a time until your desired flavor is reached. The more puree you add the less structure the buttercream will have.
- This buttercream has fresh fruit in it, so make sure it stays refrigerated. This recipe makes enough frosting to cover and fill an 8-inch layer cake. Store excess buttercream in the fridge for 2 weeks or freeze it for up to 6 months. Defrost the buttercream in the fridge and re-whip it before using.
FAQ
The buttercream splits because it’s too cold. Take out ⅓ cup of the buttercream and melt it in the microwave until it’s just melted and then whip it back in. That little bit of warm butter helps it all come together again.
YES! I do it all the time, just make sure to chill your cakes until the buttercream is firm to the touch before applying fondant. It goes great with my homemade marshmallow fondant too! Check out my video on how to cover a cake in fondant.
Yes, you can use whatever berry you prefer or your favorite fruits, just follow the same process in the puree.
Yes! Pasteurized egg whites are heat-treated (like milk) so they are safe to eat. They usually come in a box carton in the egg aisle. If you don’t have pasteurized egg whites then you can use my SMBC recipe instead. Note that undercooked egg whites are not recommended for pregnant women just to be on the safe side.
This frosting is great to use with almost any flavor of cake, cupcake, or cake pop and is perfect for piping. For more information on how to frost and decorate your first cake, you can watch my free tutorial on how to decorate your first cake.
Related Recipes
Moist Vanilla Cake From Scratch
Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Large saucepan
- 1 Stand mixer with paddle and whisk attachments optional
Ingredients
Strawberry Puree
- 32 ounces fresh or frozen strawberries 6 cups
- 4 ounces granulated sugar ½ cup
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Strawberry Buttercream
- 8 ounces strawberry puree room temperature, 1 cup
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 8 ounces pasteurized egg whites room temperature
- 16 ounces powdered sugar 1 pound
- 16 ounces unsalted butter 1 pound
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Making the Strawberry Puree
- Place the fresh or frozen whole strawberries and sugar in a saucepan and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, this will break down the berries and release the juices.
- Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Using an immersion blender, blend until the berries are a smooth consistency and there are no large chunks of strawberries. You can also pour the mixture into a food processor if you don’t have an immersion blender.
- Return the berries to low heat and continue to reduce until the excess water has evaporated and you have reached a thick consistency, this can take up to 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning on the bottom of the pan. For this buttercream, we want a thick strawberry jam consistency.
- Cool the puree completely before adding it to the buttercream, or it will melt the butter. The puree can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for 6 months. Pro-tip: Make the reduced strawberry puree during strawberry season and freeze it to use during the winter.
- You will only need about a cup of strawberry puree for this frosting. I like to use the rest as a filling, on top of ice cream, or in my fresh strawberry cake or doctored box mix strawberry cake recipes.
Making the Strawberry Buttercream
- Place the egg whites and powdered sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the whisk attachment, combine the ingredients on low speed and then whip on high speed for 1 to 2 minutes to dissolve the powdered sugar.
- Add in the salt and vanilla extract.
- Add the softened butter in chunks and whip with the whisk attachment for 8 to 10 minutes until it no longer tastes like butter. It will look curdled at first but this is normal, just keep whipping.
- If your buttercream continues to look curdled, remove about ⅓ cup of buttercream and melt it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds until it is barely melted. Pour it back into the whipping buttercream to bring it all together.
- Switch to the paddle attachment and mix on low for about 10 minutes to remove the air bubbles and create super smooth buttercream. This is optional but will make it extra creamy.
- Add about 1 cup (8 oz) of room temperature strawberry puree and lemon zest to the buttercream and mix until combined. You can add additional strawberry puree a quarter cup at a time until your desired flavor is reached. The more puree you add the less structure the buttercream will have.
- This buttercream has fresh fruit in it, so make sure it stays refrigerated. This recipe makes enough frosting to cover and fill an 8-inch layer cake. Store excess buttercream in the fridge for 2 weeks or freeze it for up to 6 months. Defrost the buttercream in the fridge and re-whip it before using.
Notes
- If you want a quick and easy version of this frosting, you can use store-bought strawberry preserves instead of homemade strawberry puree. It won't have the same flavor, but will still be delicious!
- The best investment you can make when you’re getting started with baking is a digital kitchen scale!
- Practice Mise en Place (everything in its place). Measure out your ingredients ahead of time and have them ready before you start mixing to reduce the chances of accidentally leaving something out.
Tracey says
Would this recipe be the same with other berries like blueberries or raspberries?
The Sugar Geek Show says
Yes they work great 🙂
Amy P says
Very delicious!??
Karla says
Hi Liz,
Is it 1 cup of strawberry puree or 2 cups? In the ingredients list says 1 cup but in the instructions indicates 2 cups.
Thanks
The Sugar Geek Show says
Sorry, it depends on how much buttercream you are making. If it's single batch I would add 1 cup of the puree but you can add more if you want a stronger strawberry flavor
Ele says
Hi, just to double check, are all the quantities in the ingredients list for a single batch - so 1 cup puree, 1 cup egg whites, 2lbs sugar, 2lbs butter etc? Thanks.
The Sugar Geek Show says
Yes you are correct
Dan says
Hi - where it says 'Optional: switch to the paddle attachment and mix on low for 15-20 minutes until all air bubbles are gone,' what is the effect of this? Thanks.
The Sugar Geek Show says
It removes all the air bubbles in the buttercream to make it smooth
Rachel says
Hi there, how much icing would this recipe yield? I want to ice an 8" round cake but have no idea if this is enough/too much icing and if it may be worth halving the recipe to save wastage.
The Sugar Geek Show says
One batch is the perfect amount for an 8" cake
Lea says
You mentioned on your strawberry cake made with freeze dried strawberries blog that you used freeze dried strawberries in this strawberry buttercream (lots of strawberry, lol). I'm assuming you replaced the puree with the freeze dried strawberries, but how much did you use? Thank you.
The Sugar Geek Show says
I used the whole packet 🙂 Just ground it down in the spice grinder
Tammy Gegel says
Hi! I am a cottage baker. With the fresh fruit in this one, i would not be able to use it, because it must be refrigerated. Do you have any suggestions for what I could use?
The Sugar Geek Show says
Try my other strawberry cake recipe that uses freeze dried strawberries.
Amber Jarrett says
I feel that 2lbs of butter is alot for a 2 layer cake. I just want to make sure I was reading this right- 8 sticks of butter and about 8 cups of powdered sugar? Do you normally have left over frosting? I'm excited to make your strawberry cake this weekend.
The Sugar Geek Show says
Please use weight. It is 2 lbs of powdered sugar, not cups. And yes the butter is correct. If you have leftovers you can freeze them.
Paula says
I would love to know what the egg whites do in this buttercream.......... I've never used them in basically, an American Buttercream. Will the consistency be adequate to cover a stacked cake and will decorations hold their shape? Love the idea of not heating and beating the whites first.
I'm looking forward to trying it this weekend.
The Sugar Geek Show says
This is a mock swiss meringue buttercream. Because the egg whites are already heat treated (pasteurized) they don't need to be heated again. Whipping the egg whites with the sugar creates a sort of meringue and then adding in the whipped butter makes it very light and fluffy and less sweet than ABC. It's definitely stable enough for piping and stacking. It's all I use. The added fresh strawberries are just a way of customizing it 🙂
Fiona says
Could I substitute jam for the purée.
The Sugar Geek Show says
Totally 😀
Maria says
Question: This is probably the first recipe of yours that I see the ingredients are listed as measured, not weighed. Is this correct?
I prefer weighing my ingredients as it helps with accuracy. Should I convert to weighed ingredients? Thanks for your reply.
Belinda says
Can this be used in a fondant covered cake? If so, it must stay refrigerated correct? Also, when would you suggest removing from fridge to serve?
The Sugar Geek Show says
Yes you can cover this cake in fondant and it needs to be refrigerated. I typically will let a cake be at room temperature for 3-4 hours before cutting so that the butter is no longer cold. Bigger cakes take longer to come to room temp obviously.
Stan says
Loved it!
Peggi Tebben says
In your recipe for the butter cream it calls for one cup of purée but in your instructions you say 2 cups of purée so which one is it please?
The Sugar Geek Show says
One cup is correct, I reduced the overall amount of buttercream this recipe makes because there was too much leftover
Ella says
This was amazing! But it was kinda TOO buttery... But thanks for this recipe! 😊
DONNA LOU ARAGON says
Is it possible not to use eggs? Thanks
Elizabeth Marek says
You can but the egg yolks will effect the color of the cake
Erin says
I’ve made this buttercream so many times and it’s heavenly. Today I was rushed and microwaved the “room temp” items to make up time. Well...as it whipped with the paddle attachment for 15 minutes...it became super soupy. Any troubleshooting suggestions before I put the purée in?
Elizabeth Marek says
It could just be too hot. Just chill in the fridge for 20 minutes to firm the butter back up again
Colleen says
Would freeze dried strawberries or raspberries etc work with this?
Elizabeth Marek says
Definitely
Victoria says
This recipe calls for 16 ounces of powdered sugar and butter, then says 2 lbs next to each as well. Which are the correct measurements?
Elizabeth Marek says
Sorry about that, its a typo but I just fixed it. Thanks for pointing it out
Sarah says
This strawberry buttercream frosting is amazing! I’ve had so many wonderful comments of guests at parties. I doubled the recipe as I knew we had a few bday parties coming up. I put it in the fridge and now I’m trying to “bring back to life” to decorate cupcakes with. I took it out, let I come back to room temp and then whipped it with the whisk attachment.(I think that was my mistake.) Unfortunately it’s a little liquidy with small curdles. I threw it back in the fridge in a panic. Is there anyway to salvage this for my son’s birthday party that’s tomorrow? 😥 Help!