Peppermint Frosting
Peppermint frosting fills any dessert with the festive flavor of candy canes. This buttercream peppermint frosting recipe is perfect for adding holiday cheer to any cakes, cupcakes, cookies or brownies.
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Look.
I am all for taking shortcuts in the kitchen when I can.
Especially around the holiday season.
(See also chocolate chip cookie dough hacks, sugar cookie dough hacks, sprinkles cookies, Santa cookies….)
All semi homemade treats to save time.
But frosting.
There’s just nothing better than homemade buttercream frosting.
Store bought, while fine for shortcutting, just doesn’t hold a candle to it.
And this peppermint frosting is definitely better than any store bought frosting out there!
We’re talking fluffy rich vanilla buttercream laced with cool peppermint flavor.
I don’t care what the poem says- this- not sugar plums- is the stuff holiday dreams are made of!
Ingredients and Kitchen Supplies
For peppermint frosting, you will need only five ingredients:
- Peppermint Extract – Available in many baking aisles all year or online. In some stores like Target, they may be in holiday displays.
- Butter – This is a peppermint buttercream frosting, so you will need a fair share of butter. Use unsalted. Let it soften on the counter to room temperature first.
- Heavy Cream – You can use whole milk or half and half as substitute, but you may need to adjust how much you use to get the same consistency. Heavy cream is very thick, so thinner creams may need a bit less to prevent a watery frosting.
- Powdered Sugar – Make sure it’s fresh. Yes, powdered sugar does go bad. And unfortunately you can’t substitute this with granulated sugar.
- Vanilla Extract – Use real vanilla extract for the best flavor.
- Crushed Candy Canes – This is optional and not added to the frosting. You can use these to decorate the top of the frosting once you spread it on your dessert.
Kitchen supplies you’ll need include:
- Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer -If you use a stand mixer, make sure it has the whisk attachment.
- Mixing Bowl
- Measuring Cups
- Piping Bags – These are optional. You can always spread it on with a knife.
How to Make Peppermint Frosting
1. Cream the butter.
Before you start peppermint buttercream, make sure you bring the butter up to room temperature so it’s nice and soft.
Put the two sticks of butter into a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer with the paddle attachment.
Beat the butter with a hand mixer or your stand mixer for about 2 minutes or until the butter is light and fluffy.
2. Add the powdered sugar and cream in batches.
With the beater turned off add about half of your powdered sugar to the bowl.
Turn the mixer back on low and beat it in until it’s incorporated.
Scrape down the sides as needed.
Repeat this with the rest of the powdered sugar.
3. Beat in the heavy cream and the extracts.
Once all the powdered sugar and butter combine, start adding in heavy cream 1 tablespoon at a time.
Keep mixing and then adding heavy cream until it reaches a smooth but fluffy consistency.
We find it gets to about the right consistency with about 6 to 8 tablespoons.
Finish the peppermint frosting off by beating in the vanilla and the peppermint extract.
3. Use the peppermint frosting.
We always taste the frosting to make sure it has the right consistency and tastes right.
After tasting it, you can spoon it into a piping bag to pipe or just use a knife to add to your favorite cupcakes, cakes, brownies, and more.
Once you frost your treat, you can sprinkle on crushed candy canes or other peppermint flavored candies.
Storing
It works well to spread the frosting out shortly after being made, but you can store it in an airtight container for about 4 to 5 days in the fridge.
Let it warm up a bit before using so it spreads well.
You may need to add a bit more cream if it has sat for several days before using, but that depends on how much it thickens.
How to Use Peppermint Frosting
Spread peppermint frosting on:
- brownies
- cookies
- vanilla or chocolate cupcakes
- cakes
- to rim glasses when serving peppermint cocktails
Tips and Tricks
- You can add peppermint candies or crushed candy canes to the peppermint frosting for added flavor and texture.
- Add additional heavy cream a little at a time to avoid adding too much. The consitency should be thick and smooth.
- If you live in a cooler climate and have ever made buttercream in the warmer months, you might find you need less cream when it’s warm outside than when it’s cold. When making this peppermint buttercream in cold Northeastern weather, I used almost 2 tablespoons more of heavy cream than I do making buttercream in the warmer more humid weather.
- If you want to pipe the peppermint frosting, add a little less heavy cream so it stays a bit stiffer.
- Feel free to add sprinkles or other fun candies on top of decorated cakes and cupcakes. Crushed candy canes or peppermint candies make very festive looking toppings.
- Peppermint frosting not your thing but still want a holiday frosting? Try this boozy pumpkin spice buttercream.
Other Peppermint Treats
If you are looking for more holiday inspired cooking options, try out these recipes:
- Peppermint Hot Chocolate
- Easy Candy Cane Hearts
- Homemade Candy Cane Vodka
- White Chocolate Candy Cane Martini
- Candy Cane Brownies
- Homemade Peppermint Mocha Coffee Creamer
You can also make these Santa Hat Brownies and use this peppermint frosting for some added flavor!
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Equipment
- 1 Stand or Hand Mixer
- 1 Set of measuring cups and spoons
- 1 Large mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks)
- 6-8 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 pound powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1-2 drops vanilla extract
Instructions
- Soften the butter by letting it come up to room temperature.
- Whip the butter in a large mixing bowl.
- Add in the powdered sugar and mix until the sugar and butter are fully combined.
- Slowly add in 6 to 8 tablespoons of heavy cream. Keep adding until desired consistency is reached.
- Once the frosting is to your desired level of smoothness, add in the peppermint and vanill extract and mix to combine.
- Taste the frosting. You can add more peppermint extract for more flavor or add in more heavy cream if it is too thick.