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Home » Frosting & Fillings » Apple Buttercream

Apple Buttercream

Published: May 21, 2023 by Mara · This post may contain affiliate links - as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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This Apple Buttercream tastes just like crisp fall apples with a hint of cinnamon! The results are a luscious and creamy frosting that's perfect for cakes, cupcakes and even cinnamon rolls!

Vanilla cupcakes topped with apple buttercream on wood plank background surrounded by whole apples. 3 cupcakes are on an upside down metal fluted pan.

This Apple Buttercream incorporates the flavors of fall in your frosting! Sweet apples and a touch of cinnamon makes a delightful pairing for all of your fall baked goods. Use it on your cakes, spice cakes, cinnamon rolls and other baked treats!

If you're looking for an adorable sharable fall treat you have to check out my spiced Fall Cookie Cake with adorable frosted pumpkins! And, if you're looking for more cozy recipes, check out my savory Zucchini Potato Soup, Pumpkin Ricotta Pasta, and Apple Brie Salad recipe.

Close up of a vanilla cupcake with a apple buttercream rosette piped on top. It sits on a wood plank table with an apple and cupcake in the background.

Why You'll Love this Recipe

  • Apple Buttercream adds sweet and tart flavor to fall baked goods.
  • It's easy to make and only 5 ingredients!
  • Apple pairs with many flavors of cakes and cupcakes, like vanilla and cinnamon but can be enjoyed even with whoopie pies, macarons, etc.
  • This unusual fall frosting is unexpected and delicious!

Ingredient Notes

Caramel Buttercream Ingredients on a cement background. Each ingredient is labeled with a dark red rectangle with white text in all caps.

Butter, unsalted - lets you control the amount of salt in frosting. Should be room temperature!

Freeze Dried Apples - We grind them into a fine powder. Can be found at Target and even Amazon! I used a variety of Freeze Dried Cinnamon Apples from Target which I really recommend because the added cinnamon is delicious!! Alternatively, you could add in ¼-1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon for that added flavor.

Powdered Sugar - also known as confectioners sugar.

Vanilla Extract - extra flavor! Real vanilla will result in the best flavor.

Heavy Whipping Cream - helps create a light and fluffy whipped texture.

Step-by-Step Instructions

A mini food processor with the lid removed with powdered freeze dried cinnamon apples on a cement background. In the upper left corner is a dark red square with a white '1' in the center.
  1. Using a mini food processor, food processor or blender, process the freeze dried cinnamon apples into a powdery crumb.
A white bowl with freeze dried cinnamon apple powder, a small white low bowl with freeze dried cinnamon apples bits and a sifter on a cement background. In the upper left corner is a dark red square with a white '2' in the center.
  1. Sift the freeze dried apple powder with a sifter to get rid of the larger apple pieces (and apple skin if your freeze dried apples include them). BUT SAVE THEM! They pretty 'sprinkles' and can be used for decoration as pictured.
Butter being beaten in a large red stand mixer with beater attachment. In the upper left corner is a dark red square with a white '3' in the center.
  1. In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a handheld mixer, beat butter on medium speed for about 2 minutes until creamed.
A large mixing bowl with apple buttercream frosting in the bowl and a beater attachment inside the bowl. The bowl sits on a cement background. In the upper left corner is a dark red square with a white '4' in the center.
  1. Finally, add in powdered sugar, freeze dried apple powder, vanilla extract and heavy cream. (If your freeze dried apples did NOT have cinnamon, you can add ¼-1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon for added flavor). Beat on low speed for about 30 seconds and then increase to medium speed for another 30 seconds and them medium high for another 2 minutes until frosting is well combined and fluffy. You will want to scape the bottom of the mixer at least once with a silicone spatula to ensure everything gets beaten well together. Use immediately!

Expert Tips

Simply Sift! Best practice is to sift your powdered sugar to ensure a lump-free frosting.

Room temperature butter is a must! Cold butter for frosting can result in a chunky frosting or the frosting will not come together. Forgot to soften your butter? Check on this video on how to quickly soften butter. As for the heavy whipping cream, it can be room temperature, however, I have used cold heavy whipping cream in my frosting as well without problem.

A vanilla cupcake with a white line with apple buttercream stacked tall on top. It has freeze dried apple bits decorating the cupcake. Behind it are more cupcakes and whole apples. Everything sits on a wood plank table.

Recipe FAQ

Can I double this recipe? or make a smaller batch?

Yes! Just increase or decrease ingredient quantities as needed.

What is freeze-dried fruit?

Freeze drying is simply the process of removing moisture from the fruit which results in a crispy, dry texture full of concentrated fruit flavor.

Do I have to sift the powder sugar and freeze dried apple powder?

Yes to the freeze dried apple powder! I felt like that some of the skin was a little too big in the frosting which is why you should sift it for a smooth frosting.

As for the powdered sugar, if it's super lump, I would highly recommend it but you don't technically have to. Sifting just guarantees a lump free frosting.

How much frosting does this make?

3 cups of buttercream frosting.

What kind of cake would this frosting be good for?

This frosting would be great for a variety of cakes and cupcakes! Here are some cake flavor ideas:
- Vanilla or Vanilla Bean
- Apple
- Cinnamon
- Caramel
- Spiced
- Pecan or Walnut
- Butterscotch
- Pumpkin
- Pumpkin Spice
- Toffee
- Oatmeal
- Dulce de Leche
- Snickerdoodle
- Apple Cider Donut
- Spiced Apple Cider
- Vanilla Chai
- Pear

It would also be good on top of cinnamon rolls or in macarons.

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PS If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page? I always appreciate feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram.

A vanilla cupcake with a white line with apple buttercream stacked tall on top. It has freeze dried apple bits decorating the cupcake. Behind it are more cupcakes and whole apples. Everything sits on a wood plank table.

Apple Buttercream

Mara
This Apple Buttercream is so delicious and perfect for autumn! Enjoy it will all your fall bake foods - cakes, cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, whoopie pies or even macarons.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 mins
Total Time 15 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 3 cups
Calories 1316 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 2.5 ounces freeze dried cinnamon apples OR freeze dried apples
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
  • 4 cups powdered sugar (480 grams)

Instructions
 

  • Using a mini food processor, food processor or blender, process the freeze dried cinnamon apples into a powdery crumb.
  • Sift the freeze dried apple powder with a sifter to get rid of the larger apple pieces (and apple skin if your freeze dried apples include them). BUT SAVE THEM! They pretty 'sprinkles' and can be used for decoration as pictured.
  • In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a handheld mixer, beat butter on medium speed for about 2 minutes until creamed.
  • Finally, add in powdered sugar, freeze dried apple powder, vanilla extract and heavy cream. (If your freeze dried apples did NOT have cinnamon, you can add ¼-1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon for added flavor). Beat on low speed for about 30 seconds and then increase to medium speed for another 30 seconds and them medium high for another 2 minutes until frosting is well combined and fluffy. You will want to scape the bottom of the mixer at least once with a silicone spatula to ensure everything gets beaten well together. Use immediately!

Notes

Simply Sift! Best practice is to sift your powdered sugar to ensure a lump-free frosting.
Room temperature butter is a must! Cold butter for frosting can result in a chunky frosting or the frosting will not come together. Forgot to soften your butter? Check on this video on how to quickly soften butter. As for the heavy whipping cream, it can be room temperature, however, I have used cold heavy whipping cream in my frosting as well without problem.
 
Nutritional information for this recipe is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. Please calculate your own nutritional information if you want it exact to what you make and use my calculations as a guide only.

Nutrition

Calories: 1316kcal | Carbohydrates: 182g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 69g | Saturated Fat: 43g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 18g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 185mg | Sodium: 17mg | Potassium: 42mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 176g | Vitamin A: 2182IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 0.3mg
Tried this recipe?Tag me on Instagram @makewithmara or hashtag #makewithmara
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Hi, I’m Mara! The home baker and cook behind Make With Mara. This is where I share my love of recipe testing, plating, and all things tasty. Let’s crEATe something delicious together! More about me →

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