The Best Buttercream Icing {gluten free}

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Let’s face it, store-bought cakes are much easier than those made from scratch, but when you can’t eat gluten, you’re left dreaming of a rich buttercream frosting on a delicious cake…or are you?!

There are two brands of gluten free cake mix that are fantastic and don’t taste gluten free at all! They have the same consistency as regular cake mixes, have rich flavors, turn out perfectly every time, don’t crumble when you ice them, and taste amazing: King Arthur Gluten Free Cake Mix and Pamela’s Gluten Free Cake Mix! Both come in vanilla and chocolate! The vanilla can be used as a base to make just about any cake you want! And the chocolate is rich in flavor and texture! So now that we’ve discussed the best gluten free cake mixes, let’s get down to what this post is really about, the BUTTERCREAM ICING!!!

Buttercream is a classic choice. It’s versatile, has a great vanilla flavor, it’s sweet, and it spreads evenly! And you can add food coloring to it to make it match any party theme! Buttercream from a plastic container filled with additives just isn’t the same as the homemade stuff, so even when making a boxed cake mix, you can jazz it up with a homemade buttercream icing! And this recipe is PERFECT in every way!

A few notes:

• If you’re using unsalted butter, use 1/2 tsp of salt
• If you’re using salted butter, you can skip the extra salt or just add 1/8 tsp
• Any kind of milk works, I’ve used 2%, almondmilk, and even half-n-half
• Add powdered sugar 1/2 cup at time to reduce messes and allow for easy blending 
• Add milk 1 tbsp at a time to get to your desired consistency
• For cream cheese icing, replace one stick of butter with 8 ounces of softened cream cheese

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)—make sure they’re soft and at room temperature 
• 4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tbsp milk

Directions:

• Place softened butter in large mixing bowl or bowl of stand mixer
• Using hand or stand mixer, cream butter until smooth
• Add salt and vanilla and blend together
• Add powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time and continue blending until smooth
• Add milk 1 tbsp at a time and blend until you get to the consistency you’re looking for (3 tbsp is perfect for icing cakes and cupcakes!)
• Use however you wish!