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Orange buttercream frosting, take a citrus change from your regular frosting and make this instead. It is smooth, creamy frosting made with unsalted butter, icing sugar, orange essence, fresh orange zest, orange juice and with a little orange food color. It has a refreshing citrus flavour that is perfect for decorating cakes, cupcakes, cookies and many other desserts.

Orange Buttercream Frosting

I would say if you love oranges then you will surely love this frosting. It is creamy and filled with orange goodness. I used this to frost my orange cupcakes, you can use this to frost chocolate or vanilla cakes as well.

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About Orange Buttercream
Ingredients
Step by Step Pictures
Expert Tips
FAQ
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I have already shared chocolate buttercream, classic buttercream and cream cheese frosting as well. This orange buttercream version is one of my favorites and I make this especially when I want to add a fresh citrus flavour to my desserts.

About Orange Buttercream

I love making this frosting whenever I want something a little different from the classic one. The fresh orange juice and zest gives a natural citrus flavour and the addition of orange essence adds an extra burst of orange taste.

One good thing about this homemade buttercream frosting is quick, easy, affordable and tastes better than store bought frosting.

This recipe comes together in just a few minutes with simple ingredients. The frosting is so soft, fluffy and easy to spread or pipe to decorate on all kinds of desserts. It holds its shape well and makes it ideal for decorating cakes, cupcakes, cookies.

The key point you have to remember is to sieve your confectioners sugar to remove any lumps. This step is non negotiable, it results in creamy texture. Also add icing sugar and orange juice in 3 parts.

You add icing sugar little at a time and alternate with orange juice and whip till fluffy and creamy. This way your frosting stays thick, fluffy and creamy. Also you can control the texture of the frosting.

You can make this frosting ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Before using, let it sit at room temperature for an hour and give it a quick whip until it becomes smooth and fluffy again.

Ingredients

Unsalted butter : Unsalted butter is the main base of the frosting. It helps to create a rich, fluffy and smooth cream.
Confectioner sugar / Icing sugar : Icing sugar adds sweetness and helps to thicken the frosting to the desired consistency.
Orange juice : Fresh orange juice adds a natural citrus flavour and taste to the frosting.
Orange extract : Orange essence enhances the frosting flavour and gives a strong citrus aroma. It also adds a delicious orange taste without overpowering.
Orange zest : Use fresh orange zest as it adds natural flavour that gives the frosting a strong and fresh citrus aroma.
Orange food color : For a bright frosting, I have added a small amount of orange food color. It is completely optional, you can skip to keep the frosting natural.

Step by Step Pictures

1)Take icing sugar in a fine sieve and sift it really well to remove any lumps from it, since icing sugar has lots of lumps.

2)This step is important. Keep the sifted icing sugar aside till needed.

3)Now take softened unsalted butter in a large mixing bowl and use an electric beater to whip till fluffy. It will take around 2 to 3 minutes.

4)Now we are going to add ⅓rd of the icing sugar into the butter. Mix the butter and sugar together till combined.

5)Add in 1 tablespoon of the orange juice into the creamed butter and sugar and whip it again till combined.

6)This is how it should look like.

7)Once the first batch of icing sugar and juice is mixed together, add in the next ⅓ rd of the sifted icing sugar.

8)Add in remaining 1 tablespoon of fresh orange juice.

9)Whip this for 3 minutes using an electric beater till creamy and fluffy.

10)Now add in the last ⅓rd of the icing sugar and whip again till creamy and fluffy.

11)You have to start and end with icing sugar.

12)Once the last batch is added, whip again for a good 4 to 5 minutes until the frosting is super creamy and thick. It should be light and airy and not gritty from the sugar.

13)Add in orange extract. This is optional, but it intesify the orange flavour.

14)Add in a pinch of orange food colour. it is best to add in powdered food colour.

15)Add in orange zest.

16)Give a final 2 minute mix so all the added ingredients is combined into the frosting.

17)You can use this frosting to decorate cakes, pipe over cupcakes.

Expert Tips

Make sure to use room temperature butter. The softened butter blends smoothly with icing sugar and creates a light, fluffy frosting.
Sift the icing sugar to make the buttercream smooth and it also gives a stable structure to the frosting.
Strain the orange juice to remove any pulp to make a smooth and clean frosting.
Make sure the orange zest is finely grated.
If the frosting is too thick, add a little more orange juice. If it is too soft, add more icing sugar until you get the desired fluffy, stiff peak texture.

Storage and Serving

Store the leftover orange buttercream frosting in an airtight container. It stays well in the freezer for a month. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and whip again before decorating.

This orange buttercream frosting is perfect for decorating cakes, cupcakes and cookies. You can also use it as a filling for layer cakes and sandwich cookies.

FAQ

Q. Can I make orange buttercream without essence ?

Yes, you can make this frosting using fresh juice and orange zest. Orange essence is simply added to give the buttercream more strong orange flavour, but it is completely optional.

Q. Why is my buttercream too runny ?

The frosting may become thin if the butter is too soft. Add more icing sugar and chill the frosting to help thicken it.

Q. Can I use bottled orange juice instead of fresh juice ?

Fresh orange juice gives the best flavour and taste. But bottled juice can be used if fresh oranges are not available.

Orange Buttercream Recipe