Stiff Buttercream Frosting Perfect for Piping Flowers
If you plan to pipe buttercream flowers, the first thing you need is a stiff buttercream frosting recipe for piping flowers. One that will pipe perfect buttercream flowers for you and will taste as delicious as it looks. This is an all-butter buttercream recipe that will give you the best stiff buttercream frosting for cake decorating you will ever need.
What did you make for Mother’s Day this year? Last year, I made Pink Champagne Cupcakes with Pink Champagne Buttercream for some of my lady customers.
Don’t those buttercream flowers look gorgeous? Firm and stiff? This Spring Buttercream Basket of Flowers was this year’s mother’s day special. I have been waiting to share with you how I made this cake but first, you’re going to need the right buttercream for the right job. So, here is my Stiff Buttercream Frosting for Piping flowers and I mean it when I say – this is the best buttercream icing for piping. And did I tell you yet, that it’s an all-butter buttercream frosting? Yes!
Why do you need a special buttercream for piping flowers?
- An over-whipped buttercream cake causes air pockets in the buttercream piping bag that will burst when piping flowers – so unlike another buttercream frosting this one is mixed just until it’s combined.
- If the consistency is too stiff– it won’t be easy to pipe. Your wrist will start hurting after a few flowers – so if your wrist hurts when piping? This means that your frosting is too stiff.
- The petals of the flowers will have cracked edges which on some flowers look nice, but in general, the stiff frosting won’t look good for all flowers. This means that the icing is too stiff.
- If the consistency is too soft, the petals will be limp and not hold their shape. The petals will look swoopy. So when you are piping if you find the petal is not holding its form. Don’t continue pipping as it will be a struggle. In most cases, a little powdered sugar will do the trick. Unfortunately, sometimes you may need a fresh batch of buttercream or a new cake design.
- If the frosting is soft, the flowers will be limp and slide off the cake.
- Also, another reason the flowers slide off the cake is that the frosting on the cake itself is too soft. This causes the flowers to slide off the cake. In most cases, chilling the cake can often help with this problem.
- The weather – if you live in a place with high humidity often it’s not the buttercream but whether that’s causing the butter to melt. Sometimes, using a veg-shortening buttercream can help solve this problem.
- This stiff buttercream frosting for cake decorating works excellently for such cakes. This helps me make my flowers without stressing too much about air pockets or whooped petals. Also, read – Tips for coloring icing – icing color combination chart
Ingredients and substitutes
- Butter– Yes, this is an all-butter buttercream recipe! Drum roll, please!
Well you know I love all butter in my buttercream, so this one is no different. Having said that if you live in a hot and humid climate go ahead and substitute half the butter with vegetable shortening/ white fat or ghee.
Take note – I currently live in Israel and summer here in the middle east is hot and humid too! But this works for me. So honestly I think it works with your warm and humid climate also. But don’t take my word for it – do a test, make a small batch, and pipe some cupcakes. - Powdered sugar – I have said this before, and I will repeat it. Look for powdered sugar made from pure cane sugar, not beet sugar. And you will never have a grainy or gritty buttercream.
- Pudding Mix or Cornstarch / Cornflour – This is not just for taste, but it helps add stability to the buttercream. What is the pudding mix? It’s just flavored cornstarch which adds so much more to the buttercream.
- Clear vanilla and almond – It’s best to use clear extract so your buttercream will be neutral and the gel colors you add will be at their best shades.
Step-by-step: Stiff buttercream for flowers
- Have all ingredients at room temperature.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream butter until creamy – about 30 seconds.
Pro tip – unlike my other buttercreams in this one you want to avoid incorporating too much air, otherwise you will have air pockets when piping. - Then, add the heavy cream, followed by the pudding mix and salt – combine well but don’t over-mix. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl for any butter that may have gotten stuck.
Pro tip – make sure you have no lumps – if necessary add a bit of powdered sugar to help it combine. - Add the vanilla and almond extract as well as any other flavoring you want.
- Next, add the powdered sugar in two batches. Again combine well but don’t over-mix.
Pro tip – the mixture will look dense now but do not add any more liquid yet. - Then, whip for 2 full minutes – check to make sure it’s not too stiff and not too gritty. If necessary add 1 or 2 tbsp whipping cream or milk to adjust the consistency. Mix some more if necessary
Pro tip – while we do not want to make this too light and airy we still want to ensure it’s delicious and not gritty. - The total mixing time for this buttercream should not be more than 5 minutes.
Pro tip – If you find that you have over-whipped the buttercream. Stir it with a flat silicone spatula using a spreading motion. This will break some of the air pockets - You can divide the buttercream into the number of colors required. Take note that colors will also affect the consistency of your buttercream.
Pro tip – always use gel food colors, not water-based colors as it will make the buttercream too soft to pipe or spread. If water-based colors are all you have, omit liquid in the recipe so you start with a stiffer buttercream consistency.
The Best Stiff Buttercream frosting for Pipping Buttercream Flowers
If you plan to pipe buttercream flowers the first thing you need is a stiff buttercream frosting recipe for piping flowers. One that will pipe perfect buttercream flowers for you and will taste as delicious as it looks. This simple, easy and effortless recipe will give you a stiff buttercream frosting for cake decorating you will ever need.
Video
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) Unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 2 tbsp Heavy cream (plus extra for consistency)
- 2 tbsp Pudding mix (or cornstarch)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Clear vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp Clear almond extract
- 2 lbs (900 g) Powdered sugar (Confectioners sugar)
Method
- In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream butter until creamy – about 30 seconds.1 lb Unsalted butter
- Then, add the heavy cream, followed by the pudding mix and salt – combine well but don't over-mix. Scarpe the sides and bottom of the bowl for any butter that may have gotten stuck.2 tbsp Heavy cream , 2 tbsp Pudding mix , 1 tsp Salt
- Add the vanilla and almond extract as well as any other flavoring you want.1 tsp Clear vanilla extract, 1/4 tsp Clear almond extract
- Next, add the powdered sugar in two batches. Again, combine well, but don't over-mix.2 lbs Powdered sugar
- Then, whip for 2 full minutes – check to make sure it's not too stiff and not too gritty. If necessary add 1 or 2 tbsp heavy cream or milk to adjust consistency. Mix some more if necessary
- The total mixing time for this buttercream should not be more than 5 minutes.
- You can divide the buttercream into the number of colors required. Take note that colors will also affect the consistency of your buttercream.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is at room temperature when creaming (or you will have little lumps of butter in the buttercream)
- Sift the powdered sugar – twice if needed when making this buttercream – Any bits of sugar left in; can clog the piping bag and become very frustrating.
- When adding gel do not over-mix as it incorporates too much air in the buttercream causing air pockets in the piping bag.
- Add color to small batches and a tiny bit at a time. A little can go a long way.
- Use gel, not water-based colors – water-based colors will affect consistency if you have to use water-based use less cream/milk at the beginning of the recipe.
- Check final consistency after adding color to the buttercream – as gel colors can alter consistency too.
- If the buttercream is too soft to pipe add powdered sugar if the buttercream is too stiff add fresh cream or milk – but do it a teaspoon at a time.
Storage and use
- This buttercream cream will stay at room temperature for about 3 days – having said that this is still an all-butter buttercream recipe so if the weather is hot the frosting will start to melt.
- When not using – store covered with cling wrap to prevent crusting.
- Add gel food color without over-mixing to avoid incorporating too much air.
- You can store this buttercream in the fridge for a month or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
- It is best thawed in the fridge from frozen, then re-mixed to bring consistency.
Equipment you will need
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
Mention @veenaazmanov_kitchen or tag #veenaazmanovkitchen!Storage and use
- This buttercream cream will stay at room temperature for about three days – having said that this is still an all-butter buttercream recipe so if the weather is hot the frosting will melt.
- When not used – store covered with plastic wrap to prevent crusting.
- Add gel food color without over-mixing to avoid incorporating too much air
- You can store this buttercream in the fridge for a month or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
- It is best to thaw in the fridge from frozen, then re-mixed to bring to consistency.
Tips for success
- Ensure the butter is at room temperature when creaming (or you will have little lumps of butter in the buttercream)
- Sift the powdered sugar – twice if needed when making this buttercream – Any bits of sugar left in; can clog the piping bag and become very frustrating.
- When adding gel do not over-mix as it incorporates too much air in the buttercream causing air pockets in the piping bag.
- Add color to small batches and a tiny bit at a time. A little can go a long way.
- Use gel, not water-based colors – water-based colors will affect consistency if you have to use water-based use less cream/milk at the beginning of the recipe.
- Check final consistency after adding color to the buttercream – as gel colors can alter consistency too.
- If the buttercream is too soft to pipe add powdered sugar if the buttercream is too stiff add fresh cream or milk – but do it a teaspoon at a time.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible Cause | How to Fix It |
|---|---|---|
| Frosting is too soft | Butter is too warm or too much liquid added | Chill frosting for 10–15 minutes or add more sifted powdered sugar |
| Frosting is too stiff | Too much sugar or cold butter | Add 1 tsp milk or cream at a time and beat until smooth |
| Petals keep breaking | Frosting has air pockets or is too cold | Beat on low to remove air bubbles; let frosting soften slightly before piping |
| Flowers lose shape | Frosting not stiff enough or too warm | Use a stiffer consistency and chill piped flowers before placing |
| Frosting separates | Butter and sugar not fully emulsified | Beat longer at medium speed until smooth and homogenous |
| Grainy texture | Undissolved sugar or cold butter | Let frosting rest; beat again or add 1 tsp warm milk and re-whip |
| Oily frosting | Butter too warm or overmixed | Chill slightly, then gently fold or beat on low to bring it back |
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Frequently asked questions
How long can you store buttercream flowers? Can you freeze buttercream flowers?
If you make extra buttercream flowers don’t throw them away, leave them on the parchment squares and freeze them in a single layer. They will last for months. Wrap them well covered away from other foods.
How long can a cake with buttercream flowers sit out?
It really depends on the type of frosting you use and the weather where you keep the cake. My stiff buttercream frosting can be kept out for a few days (2 to 3 days at room temperature) as long as it’s not hot and humid because it’s made with butter. Having said that if you live in a hot and humid climate like Israel, India, or Texas summer, the buttercream flowers will stay well for a few hours at room temperature. They will be soft at room temperature but not melt unless you place them in a sunny place.
How do I pipe buttercream flowers?
Buttercream flowers can elevate a simple cake to an impressive work of art in merely minutes. Making buttercream flowers is simple and easy if you have the right buttercream recipe and use the right piping technique which I am going to share with you today in this video and step-by-step tutorial.
Can I use this buttercream to frost a cake?
You certainly can but it’s stiff consistency and would not be so easy to spread. I use my Velvet American Buttercream for frosting all my cake. There is a reason why I call it velvet and I highly recommend you check it out. I also use it as a base for all my many buttercream flavors. If you want an eggless buttercream for cakes, use this classic vanilla buttercream frosting
What can I use instead of pudding mix? I don’t get a pudding mix where I live.
The pudding mix is usually cornstarch also known as cornflour or sometimes arrowroot with flavoring (and sometimes sugar). So, if you don’t have pudding mix, use cornstarch, cornflour, or arrowroot powder. I’ve used a pudding mix for the added flavor.
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Can I use Milk instead of Whipping cream?
Would Meringue Powder be beneficial to add to this recipe as I see it in many other recipes for piping with Russion piping tips.
Lastly, if I am not using gel coloring but I am using liquid coloring… you say omit ALL liquids from this recipe??? Thank you
Yes, Theresa. You want to use as little liquid as you can so the buttercream is stiff. You can use milk but again reduce it by half because milk does not whip like cream so it affects consistency. Liquid colors will affect consistency too. If you use it omit all liquids in the recipe then adjust when you are coloring.
Would adding Meringue powder to this recipe be beneficial at all. I see many other recipes that include Meringue powder. Thank you
You can add meringue powder it will help with crusting the buttercream.
When you say pudding mix, do you mean the instant pudding mix you find in a grocery store ? I’ve been looking for a stiff buttercream for flowers and this is the first time I say pudding mix or cornstarch in a recipe. I like the idea of the pudding but I want to make sure I buy the right ingredient. Thank you!
Yes, Laura. you read correctly, it says pudding mix. You can buy it at any supermarket.
Is this buttercream also good for piping ruffles on a cake?
Yes, Victoria. Its perfect for piping flowers or ruffles, etc
Can I use heavy whipping cream instead? I referred to your other page about whipping cream but it says heavy cream holds shape better so can’t I use that for this recipe? I would prefer to buy it and not have to make another thing.
Not sure, I understand your question Ti, but if you referring to using high % whipping cream in this recipe. Then yes, higher % is better for stability
I was looking for a stiff butter cream to fill sandwich cookies. Do you think this recipe work for that? Thanks!
Absolutely, Teri
My buttercream came out very buttery so I put in fridge n crumb coat and frost but I could not decorate as it was too soft. What I realized is that your calculator despite adjusting to 3C your calculator changes ONLY the measurement in grams but your text 4 stick of butter does not change because that is a text n not a field so I ended up using too much butter in the recipe.. I also noted there are slight changes when using the recipe from the link to that from another link I’m not sure if one is an updated link as I forgot to check date. So I got a bit confused
Hey Lindy. Not sure I understand the problem. Yes, the calculator only changes the lbs and grams (the ones in bracket) are for the initial measure. What do you mean from the link to another link? The recipe is only once in the post. Thanks
Week 2 day 3 done
Hi Veena,
I am ankita.lam a beginner so wanted to understand the difference between liquid glucose and corn starch. Can liquid glucose be use in place of corn starch.
Thank you for your valuable time.
Regards
Ankita
No, liquid glucose is an invert sugar whole cornstarch is a thickener. They are both completely different.
Hi! I am late to the party but I am a beginner baker. I have a vision for the dry brushing and/or using the already liquid spray to apply luster dust to the items I pipe to decorate a cake or cupcakes. Does this frosting develop a bit of a crust so a very gentle dry brush of luster dust would work? Thanks for your time! Stay safe!!!
Regina. This is an all-butter frosting so it does get a slight crust and yet that depends on the weather – if you have warm weather that crust will not be as effective as you want. I hope that makes sense
Hi Veena, will this recipe work for a buttercream cake transfer? I would like a not too sweet crusting cream.
Yes, Charu, this will work for buttercream transfer but this is a sweet buttercream. You need more sugar to make the buttercream stiff.
Can you substitute the pudding mix for anything else ?
Yes you can use cornstarch. Thanks
Hi, is the whipping cream necessary for the recipe? What would be a good substitute?
Thanks!