Coconut Buttercream Frosting
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There’s nothing better than this recipe for homemade Coconut Buttercream Frosting. It’s a made from scratch, simple recipe that is perfect slathered on cakes, cupcakes, or right from the spoon.
Coconut Buttercream Frosting with Coconut Milk
I have for you the best Coconut Buttercream Frosting recipe! It’s creamy and silky. It’s stiff and pipe-able. It’s darn right delicious.
It’s made with powdered sugar, butter, and coconut milk. The end result has a thick, silky texture with a light coconut taste, making it great for any tropical dessert.
Do you see how fluffy it looks? All those air pockets?
This was achieved by beating with my electric mixer for an extra five minutes. It whips up into a thick and fluffy consistency.
I’ve made cookie butter frosting, salted caramel frosting, and 7-minute frosting. Each one was great but they come nowhere near as delectable as today’s frosting.
This version of easy coconut frosting uses coconut milk instead of coconut extract. The result is a lusciously silky texture that glides across the tongue.
I seriously love how smooth it is. It’s just as silky as my cream cheese frosting!
If you need more coconut flavor, add half a teaspoon of coconut extract.
I’ve updated the recipe with instructions on how to use coconut cream instead of milk for even more flavor.
Pro tip – Make sure the butter is super soft! Set the butter on the counter 1-2 hours prior to use.
This is now my new favorite frosting. I want to put it on top of everything.
I’m certain you are going to feel the same way too!
Try it on pineapple cupcakes, pineapple coconut cake, or this pineapple poke cake!
What tropical dessert would you pair this frosting with? I’d love to hear your ideas.
Or, if you’ve already made it and really enjoyed, I’d like to hear that too!
Common questions about coconut buttercream
Do I have to use canned coconut milk?
You must use canned coconut milk. Refrigerated coconut milk is a beverage and is watered down. You can typically find canned coconut milk in the Asian food aisle of the grocery store.
What kind of coconut milk do you recommend?
Regular/full-fat canned coconut milk is best for this recipe.
Can you use coconut cream?
You certainly can! This will give you a richer coconut flavor.
Does the frosting need to be refrigerated or can it be stored at room temp for a couple of hours?
It would be safe for a couple of hours at room temp but definitely no longer than that.
If you plan to use it the next day, refrigerate it and then let it sit for 30 mins to soften before use. You may have to re-whip it if you refrigerate it.
Can I add shredded coconut to the frosting?
You certainly can! Keep in mind the frosting may be difficult to pipe through small piping tips due to the coconut flakes.
Can I use coconut sugar?
I don’t recommend this. Coconut sugar is very coarse and will not work like confectioner’s sugar. Confectioner’s sugar is ground to a powder consistency and mixed with cornstarch. This is what thickens the frosting.
Can I use salted butter?
There’s absolutely no way to tell how much salt is in the butter. You run the risk of having super salty frosting. For best results, use unsalted butter and add a pinch of salt if needed.
Can I color this frosting?
Yes! Use a high-quality gel food coloring such as AmeriColor.
More frosting recipes you’ll love
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Coconut Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups (339 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 5 cups (600 g) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons canned unsweetened coconut milk, or coconut cream
Instructions
- Using a handheld mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy, about 5 minutes.
- Add 2 cups of confectioner’s sugar, beat on medium-low speed until most of the sugar is moistened. Gradually add in the remaining sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- And the salt and the coconut milk, one tablespoon at a time, beating on medium speed until fully incorporated. You may need more or less of the coconut milk depending on how strong you’d like the flavor.
- Turn the speed up to medium-high and beat until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Notes
- You can use coconut cream with this recipe also. I’ve tested it and it yields so much more coconut flavor. You may need less coconut cream so be sure to add just one tablespoon at a time until the frosting reaches the desired taste and texture.
- Soften the butter by allowing it to sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours prior to making the frosting. DO NOT soften the butter by heating it in the microwave!!
- It is important to shake the can of coconut milk/cream vigorously before opening it. The fats and liquids separate in the can after sitting. You want a combination of both for the frosting, so mix it very well.
- If the coconut flavor isn’t as strong as you’d like, try adding ½ to 1 teaspoon coconut extract.
- You can also add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for more flavor.
- Frosting will keep for up to 4 days stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Let stand at room temperature to soften before use.
- Or it can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to use, place in the refrigerator overnight to thaw. Let stand at room temperature to soften before use.
Nutrition
The nutrition information provided is for convenience and as a courtesy only. It is not guaranteed to be accurate because nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator and input the exact ingredients and brands you used in the recipe.
OMG best stuff ever, I made this to go on top of some strawberry cupcakes and I couldn’t stop eating it. I used coconut cream instead of coconut milk just because I love the coconut flavor and coconut milk is not stong in flavor and I dont care to use extracts because sometimes they give off an artificial flavor. Using the coconut cream gave the perfect amount of coconut flavor and definitely not an overly sweet frosting which I was so happy about?
Coconut cream is definitely a great option. So glad you enjoyed it!
How much coconut cream did you add?
Hi Summer, I added 1/2 cup of coconut cream.
Quick question, but could you make this vegan and vegetarian friendly with coconut oil and/or vegan butter, and if you can, how would one do it here? This sounds like a great recipe for coconut lovers by the way.
I’ve never tried to make frosting with coconut oil or vegan butter so I’m not really sure how to go about it or if it would even work the same.
Hi..only I would like to know, how much powdered sugar (cups or gram) I should use for only one butter stick. Thanks in advance.
For this coconut buttercream frosting, 200 grams of powdered sugar should work with 1 stick of butter. You’ll also need to reduce the liquid to 2 tablespoons.
Thank so much for your time and help.. happy holidays
Hi Jen, it’s the first time I write. I want to make a small coconut cake for my family (5 members) with coquito (traditional Puerto Rican Christmas mdrink) glaze. Since I don’t want a lot to come out, I’m thinking of using only one butter stick. I would like to know, how much (cups) powdered sugar I should use? Thanks in advance and happy holidays.
Unfortunately, I don’t have experience with coquito glaze so I wouldn’t know how to guide you.
Delish!
Hey! My frosting is splitting but is too sweet to add more icing sugar – any tips?
It sounds like the ingredients were not at the proper temperature. You can try popping the frosting in the fridge for 3-5 minutes then mix again.
Could Crisco be switched out for butter for frosting to be used for an outside party Square it’s hot humid
Honestly, I’ve never used Crisco in frosting but have seen recipes with it. It’s supposed to be more stable than butter but it doesn’t taste as good. You can always try it to see if you like it.
I prefer to measure the ingredients by weight. However I’m confused by the butter measurements. Calling for 1 1/2 cups by volume, but 227 grams by weight, which is only 1 cup. Can you clarify which is correct? I’m guessing 1 1/2 cups. Thanks
It should be 1 1/2 cups (339g). We’ve changed our recipe layout and it seems some things didn’t import properly. I apologize for the confusion.
Can the coconut frosting hold on a hot day? I want this for a pool party
Because it’s butter-based, it will melt. I’d keep in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve it.
Hello can this buttercream be used to decorate a cake, does it have a medium texture.or a soft texture?
It’s soft but pipeable. If it’s too soft, you can pop it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to firm it up some before piping.