Skip the slightly yellow frosting and learn how to make buttercream white—and we mean a vibrant, bright white!
How to Make Buttercream White
Updated on Jun. 09, 2024
Bakers, we all love buttercream for its rich flavor and versatility. This spoon-licking good frosting can be dyed, piped, swirled and sprinkled to create so many easy cupcake decorations and pretty cake designs.
While this frosting is lovely in shades from teal to tangerine, lavender to leaf green, there’s one color all bakers struggle to match when it comes to dying buttercream: white.
Why Buttercream Never Seems to Be Bright White
White is a hard color to match when you’re making buttercream frosting. Even when you don’t use food coloring, the frosting always has a yellow cast.
That’s because of this icing’s namesake ingredient: butter. Butter is used in high proportions in this frosting, so its natural hue always seems to come through.
How to Make Buttercream White
For most bakers, uncolored buttercream is just fine when frosting cakes that are supposed to be white. However, if you’re really looking to match a bright white hue for your cake design, there are some steps you can take to get a vibrant white. And, yes, you can use these techniques for all types of buttercream, including Swiss meringue buttercream and French buttercream.
Choose a Pale Butter
The first thing you can do to learn how to make buttercream white is to choose your butter wisely and explore different kinds of butter.
You’ll find that some butter options, like Irish butter and cultured butter, have a rich yellow color; these options aren’t suitable if you want a very vibrant white. However, many American-style butters (think Land O Lakes or Challenge) are a bit paler. Stick with these for bright white buttercream.
Use Clear Vanilla
Vanilla extract can also give buttercream frosting an off-white color. An easy fix to keep frosting brighter is to skip your go-to vanilla extract and try clear vanilla instead. Use this in the same proportion as the traditional extract.
Add Food Coloring (Really!)
If you’re wondering how to make buttercream white, like really vibrant white, the secret is actually to add color.
To counteract that bit of yellow from the butter, add the slightest smidge of purple food coloring. Purple will neutralize the yellow tone and produce a buttercream that’s a snowy white. Seriously!
More Frosting Recipes
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Chocolate Ganache
This smooth, satin chocolate ganache recipe will bring a touch of elegance to even the most basic cake. A simple garnish, like fresh fruit, adds the finishing touch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Learn how to decorate a cake like a pro! 
Italian Meringue ButtercreamItalian meringue buttercream is a fluffy, dreamy frosting for any and all cakes. You can add flavors and colors, too, for all of your beautiful cake creations.
Peanut Butter FrostingRich, sweet and a tiny bit salty, peanut butter frosting is the only topping you need for a batch of brownies or a luscious chocolate cake.
Get tips from our Test Kitchen on how to frost a cake so it looks fresh from the bakery.
French ButtercreamFrench buttercream has a custard-like texture and is great if you're going to be piping shapes or decorations. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Best Vanilla ButtercreamWhy is this recipe crowned the best vanilla buttercream frosting? With its powerfully decadent vanilla bean flavor and delightfully creamy texture, your family and friends will scrape every last bit of this frosting off their plates. —Margaret Knoebel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Here are different types of buttercream frostings.
Coconut Pecan FrostingTry this simple, scrumptious coconut pecan frosting recipe the next time you crave a cake with extra personality.
Chocolate Peanut Butter FrostingChocolate and peanut butter are such an enjoyable combination. This delicious chocolate peanut butter frosting makes a satisfying topping to these moist chocolate cupcakes.—Ruthe Stevenson, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Check out our collection of the best types of frosting.
German ButtercreamThis German buttercream frosting is super silky and buttery. It's pleasantly sweet, but not overly sweet like some American buttercreams can be. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Cream Cheese FrostingBack away from the store-bought stuff. This cream cheese frosting is so tasty you will never go back. We will even show you how to make flavored varieties! (Strawberry cream cheese frosting, anyone?)
Rich Chocolate FrostingWhip up the silkiest, creamiest chocolate buttercream frosting in just minutes with a few simple ingredients. Use this rich, fluffy-as-a-cloud fudge frosting for when you're really trying to impress people with your homemade brownies and cakes.
Blackberry ButtercreamGorgeous in color and rich in flavor, this sophisticated take on traditional frosting will have you wanting to make blackberry buttercream for every cake you make.
Vanilla FrostingLight, sweet and perfectly airy, this easy homemade vanilla frosting recipe makes a delicious topping for cakes, cupcakes, desserts and sweet breads.
Old-Fashioned Ermine FrostingErmine frosting brings back memories of being in the kitchen with my grandmother. This old-timey frosting was her go-to for cakes when she didn't have cornstarch or cream cheese. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Cupcake FrostingSimple vanilla frosting is a great topper for any cupcake. I frosted 300 cupcakes with this recipe for my wedding in lieu of a traditional cake. It made for a delicious bridal twist. — Annie Rundle, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Peanut Butter Whipped Cream FrostingA luscious peanut butter whipped cream frosting is just a few ingredients away. Try it piped over your favorite chocolate cupcakes or dolloped onto hot chocolate. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Royal IcingCurious to learn how to make royal icing? Our Test Kitchen experts have mastered this royal icing recipe for this stunning cookie decoration. Royal icing is different from other types of icing because it dries quickly and has a super-smooth finish—perfect for decorating! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 
Fluffy White FrostingFluffy white frosting is similar to meringue, but instead of baking it, it's laced atop cakes or in between cookies for a cookie sandwich.
Also, check how to make canned frosting taste like homemade.
Amaretto Butter FrostingPut the crowning touch on cupcakes with this rich and buttery Amaretto topper. —Anette Stevens, Olds, Alberta
Bakery FrostingThis recipe makes it easy to capture the fabulous flavor of cakes from the best bakeries. A big batch of this sweet frosting keeps for 3 months in the refrigerator. —Barbara Jones, Tower Hill, Illinois 
Vanilla FrostingDon't know how to make icing for cake but don't want to settle for store-bought frosting? This four-ingredient easy vanilla frosting recipe is the perfect topper for your cakey creations. The homemade taste just can't be beat. —Mary Faulk, Cambridge, Wisconsin. If you’re running late, check out these different ways to make store-bought frosting better.
Creamy Fudge FrostingFor every occasion that calls for chocolate frosting, keep this fudgy recipe close by. With just five ingredients from the pantry, you’ve got magic in minutes. —Linda Schend, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Strawberry Cupcakes with Whipped Cream FrostingFresh strawberries are full of water, so they have a tendency to weigh down cake batters and make soggy cakes. That’s why these strawberry cupcakes rely on strawberry jam or preserves. The concentrated flavor is just right for light and tender cupcakes. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Winter White Filling or FrostingHow versatile! Prepare this recipe for use as a cake filling, frosting or both. —Sarah Thompson, Greenfield, Wisconsin
Buttercream FrostingA few simple ingredients make a creamy frosting that finishes cakes, cupcakes and cookies. If you love making desserts, keep this buttercream frosting recipe handy. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Confetti Birthday Cake with Chocolate ButtercreamThis is a moist confetti cake with lots of sprinkles and a whipped chocolate buttercream. It's perfect for birthday celebrations! —Courtney Rich, Highland, Utah
Apple Pie CupcakesTurn the classic cupcake into a fall favorite with our rendition of apple pie cupcakes. Filled with a sweet apple mixture and topped with cinnamon frosting, these cupcakes taste just like apple pie!
Emily's Strawberry Cake with Strawberry ButtercreamMy husband loved his mamaw's strawberry cake recipe. He thought no one could duplicate it. I made it, and it’s just as scrumptious as he remembers. —Jennifer Bruce, Manitou, Kentucky
Powdered Sugar GlazeCreate this delicious powdered sugar glaze to fulfill your nostalgic childhood memories. Pipe it on cookies, drizzle it on scones or douse it on muffins.
Espresso FillingCoffee lovers will go crazy for cakes made with this heavenly filling. It's rich, decadent and irresistible! —Megan Byers, Wichita, Kansas
Maple Glaze for DoughnutsCider doughnuts are a tradition in Vermont, but here in Texas, we love maple flavors, too. Our glaze of choice features delicious maple syrup. —Barbara Elliott, Tyler, Texas. Looking for more? Check out our collection of the best Vermont recipes.
Vanilla CakeOur Test Kitchen created our best vanilla cake recipe yet. It's tender, moist and packed with rich vanilla flavor—a must for any special occasion.
Chewy Gingerbread CookiesThese chewy gingerbread cookies are packed with warm spices and rich molasses, delivering a perfect balance of soft and chewy texture. Ideal for holiday gatherings or a cozy treat anytime, they're sure to become a family favorite.
Favorite Frosted BrowniesThese are my tried-and-true brownies for many holidays. Everyone always agrees that they are absolutely yummy! I sometimes top them with candy sprinkles for a little color. —Barbara Birk, St. George, Utah
Buttermilk Cake with Caramel IcingThis fabulous cake and caramel frosting are so tender, it melts in your mouth. It's been a family favorite since the '70s and it goes over really well at church potluck meals. —Anna Jean Allen, West Liberty, Kentucky
Funfetti CakeWant to know how to make a Funfetti cake recipe from scratch? Our Test Kitchen provides you with a helpful guide sprinkled with tips for making this colorful cake.
Editor's Tip: Tint white frosting with liquid, gel or paste food coloring. Liquid will give a pastel color; gel and paste give a deeper color. Add a little at a time, stir in and check the color. You can always add more, but it's hard to lighten the color. The color generally darkens as the frosting dries.
Banana Cake with Chocolate FrostingI always requested banana cake with fudge frosting for my birthday. Mom’s recipe is attached to my fridge—and my heart. It’s funny how many memories live on in a stained handwritten recipe card. On a more practical note: It's important to make sure the whipped cream cheese is truly at room temperature before you use it. If not, it chills the softened butter and makes for lumpy frosting. —Jeanne Ambrose, Des Moines, Iowa 
Frosted Pumpkin DoughnutsOur three children grew pumpkins to sell. During harvest, it was time to make these scrumptious doughnuts. The orange frosting is super. —Connie Simon, Reed City, Michigan
Chocolate Spice Cake with Caramel IcingI found this recipe back in the late '80s and knew it was a special cake. The caramel icing can be a little tricky because you have to work quickly, but it's so worth it! —Mariann James, Ferguson, Missouri
Butterscotch CakeThink of butterscotch cake as German chocolate cake's auburn cousin. The amber-hued cake layers are flavored with butterscotch chips, as are the stripes of chewy, coconut-pecan filling between the cake layers and on top.
White Chocolate Coconut CakeThis eye-catching cake is my own creation. The white "snowball" look makes it the perfect choice for a holiday celebration. —Greta Kirby, Carthage, Tennessee
