Learning how to make zesty lemon buttercream frosting is really quite easy. It entails creaming butter and sugar with the fresh juices and zest of a lemon. It takes your buttercream frosting from ordinary into extraordinary.

I started making a lot of buttercream with fresh fruit this summer. I really enjoy the taste it gives to lighten the heaviness of a traditional American style buttercream. Try it out next time you bake a cake and you’ll be delighted.

If you have never zested a lemon before, you will need a grater with small holes or a zester. They are relatively cheap and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. It’s one of those rare times I’ll tell you to go to a brick and mortar store and try one out. They are much easier to use if you are comfortable holding one.

You will need to add the juice a little at a time for the desired consistency at the end. This is in order to prevent having a zesty lemon buttercream frosting that is not ideal for your baking needs. If you enjoyed making this frosting, try out our lime frosting next!

Lemon Buttercream

Fresh citrus fruit and rich butter is ideal for summer desserts or for balancing out the cloying sweetness of the traditional American Buttercream.

Print Recipe

Prep Time20 minutes minutes

Total Time20 minutes minutes

Servings12

Calories 234.8

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups (300g) powdered sugar
• 1 cup (226g) softened unsalted butter
• 2 tsp (10mL) lemon juice
• 1 tsp (1g) lemon zest
• ⅛ tsp (1g) salt

Instructions

• Zest and juice one lemon.
• Cream butter and add in 1 tsp of zest and 2 tsp of lemon juice. Beat well.
• Add sugar slowly, a spoonful at a time on low speed or mix by hand. This helps prevent gritty frosting.

Notes

You can increase the amount of juice to create a looser consistency.  Just take it slow, 1/2 tsp at a time.

Nutrition Facts

Lemon Buttercream

Amount per Serving

Calories

234.8

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

14.7

g

23

%

Saturated Fat

 

9.3

g

58

%

Sodium

 

24.2

mg

1

%

Carbohydrates

 

25.4

g

8

%

Fiber

 

0.1

g

0

%

Protein

 

0.1

g

0

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

* Calories provided as a courtesy and not guaranteed.