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If you love coconut you’re going to LOVE Coconut Frosting. This easy buttercream recipe is full of coconut flavor and perfect on brownies, cake, or cupcakes!
Best Coconut Frosting Recipe
I am obsessed with coconut all the things and this frosting is definitely one of them! This is an all-purpose frosting recipe you can use on anything and any flavor, from chocolate to lemon cupcakes, vanilla cake to coconut bars!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Coconut frosting isn’t just for coconut cake – it’s good on everything!
- Just a few simple ingredients
- FULL of tons of coconut flavor!
- Freezes great so you can make it ahead.
Ingredients Needed for Coconut Frosting
- Butter – unsalted, softened butter is what you need to make buttercream. If you use salted butter, that’s fine, but you’ll reduce or omit the added salt.
- Coconut Extract – This is crucial for adding the coconut flavor in the frosting.
How to Make Coconut Buttercream Frosting
- Beat butter: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the unsalted, softened butter until it becomes smooth.
- Add powdered sugar: Slowly and gradually, beat the powdered sugar into the butter until the mixture becomes crumbly.
- Combine all ingredients: Once the mixture is crumbly, add the salt, coconut extract, and vanilla extract. Then, slowly add the heavy cream one tablespoon at a time. Beat in between each addition and it’ll become nice and fluffy.
Expert Tips
- The key to this buttercream is to add the heavy whipping cream slowly. The perfect consistency may pass you by if you pour too hastily, and then you’ll have to overcompensate with extra powdered sugar.
- You can use milk or nondairy milk, but the frosting won’t be as fluffy.
- Start with softened butter for best results.
- To get a more coconut-y flavor, swap out the heavy whipping cream for coconut milk (if canned, be sure to just use the liquid) or add a tablespoon of cream of coconut before adding the milk. If using cream of coconut, you wont want to add as much milk.
- Coconut frosting will last in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months in an airtight container.
FAQs
Yes, all buttercream made with butter needs to be refrigerated. As I mentioned above, the temperature of the butter can really control whether you have a pristine, fluffy frosting or a sludgy, melty frosting-like paste.
Yes, you can swap out the heavy whipping cream for coconut milk. However, if you’re using canned coconut milk, just make sure that you’re just getting the liquid out of the can. Nobody likes chunky buttercream!
Yes, buttercream freezes quite well. Store the buttercream in an artitight container for up to three months. Once you’re ready to use it, move the container to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw overnight. Once it thaws, you’ll likely have to whip the buttercream again to get it to the desired consistency.
Coconut Buttercream Frosting Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter , softened
- 4 cups (452g) powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream (see note)
- 1 recipe brownies (optional)
Instructions
- To make the frosting, beat butter in a large bowl with a hand mixer until smooth.
- Slowly beat in powdered sugar until crumbly. Beat in salt and extracts. Add milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
- Frost brownies or any recipe as desired. Store in refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze frosting in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Recipe Notes
- I used heavy whipping cream because I like how fluffy it makes my frosting. You can also use any kind of milk (regular, 2%, nonfat or nondairy) but you’ll need less milk with less fat.
- For even more coconut flavor, use coconut milk (refrigerated or canned). If using canned, be sure to just use the liquid.
- You can also add 1 tablespoon Cream of Coconut (i.e. CocoReal) before adding the milk. If you do this you’ll need less milk/cream.
- If using salted butter omit added salt.
Mmmm! Can’t beat a good brownie recipe – or a few good quotes! The coconut puts this over the top!
Thanks for sharing on Two Cup Tuesday at Pint Sized Baker.
Thanks Karyn!
Who doesn’t like Chocolate. Wow, your brownies are amazing, my husband loves coconut and is going to love these. Your pictures are beautiful, I can almost taste them.
I am hosting a link party over at memoriesbythemile.com and would love for you to stop by.
Thanks for hosting your party.
Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile
Thank you! 🙂
First time visiting your blog. I hope you stop by to link: http://atozebracelebrations.com/2013/01/link-party-4.html
Thanks for visiting!!
I saw these on either FB or Instagram yesterday and my heart jumped a little bit. They look SO good! I am a box brownie girl too, I will have to try your recipe.
Modern Family? Hilarious. Phil, and Luke are my favorites and Phil totally reminds me of my husband too! He’s not clueless either but he has that corny sense of humor.
LOL! Thanks Katie!
I love boxed brownies … but I will give your recipe a try! Modern Family is one of our favorite shows … truly laugh out loud funny!
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