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Frosting & Fettuccine

Home » Recipe Search » Frosting

Nov 30, 2022

5 Minute Easy Mint Buttercream Frosting

5 from 1 vote
BySam Adler
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Looking for a refreshing and delicious frosting to top your desserts? Look no further than this 5-Minute Easy Mint Buttercream Frosting recipe! It’s made with just six simple ingredients, takes only 5 minutes to prepare, and is perfect for frosting chocolate cupcakes or any other dessert. Plus, it gives your dessert a delicious minty kick that will leave you wanting more.

A bowl of mint frosting top with chopped andes mints.

Mint frosting is a delicious twist on my vanilla frosting recipe. All you need to do is add some peppermint extract and some green food coloring and you are good to go!

If you’ve never made buttercream frosting before, don’t worry! As a trained pastry chef I am here to tell you it’s actually quite simple. Buttercream frosting is just an easy and quick frosting you can make to top cakes and cupcakes.

You’ll cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Then, add in your mint extract and green food coloring (optional) and mix until combined. Finally, slowly add in your cream until the frosting is a perfect consistency!

This mint buttercream frosting recipe is so simple and quick to make you’ll want to make it all the time! It’s perfect for frosting mint chocolate cupcakes, filling this peppermint cake or over chocolate chip cupcakes. You can even make it to sandwich between these double chocolate peppermint cookies!

WHY YOU SHOULD MAKE THIS RECIPE

This recipe is:

  • Delicious: Add a refreshing and minty kick to any dessert with this easy mint buttercream frosting recipe!
  • Quick and Easy: This recipe takes only 5 minutes to make with just 6 easy-to-find ingredients.
  • Versatile: This frosting can be light green or make it a darker color for a party!
  • Pretty: Frost cupcakes with a piping bag and star tip and stick an Andes mint on the side for garnish!

INGREDIENTS NEEDED

Ingredients for mint frosting.
  • Unsalted Butter – Softened butter acts as the base for the frosting and gives it a delicious buttery flavor.
  • Powdered Sugar – Also known as confectioner’s sugar, this is the sweetener for the frosting that is finely milled and blends in with the butter perfectly.
  • Peppermint Extract – This gives the frosting its minty flavor. You can find mint extract at most grocery stores near the baking aisle.
  • Vanilla Extract – Adds a light layer of warming vanilla flavor throughout the frosting.
  • Green Food Coloring – This is completely optional, but if you want your frosting to be green, a few drops of green food coloring will do the trick!
  • Cream – This is what makes the frosting light and fluffy while keeping it smooth and rich!

HOW TO MAKE MINT BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Cream the butter and sugar: Add the 1 cup butter and 3 cups confectioners sugar into a bowl of a hand or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and mix on low speed for 1 minute. Move to medium speed and beat for another minute. Stop the mixer and scrape down the bowl.

Add milk and flavoring: Add the vanilla extract, peppermint extract, green food coloring, and milk and mix again on medium-high speed for 1-2 mins. If the frosting is too thick, add 1 tsp milk at a time until desired consistency. If too thin, add ¼ cup confectioners sugar until desired consistency.

Frost desserts: Fill a piping bag with the frosting and frost with a 1M or 2D Wilton Tip. Or smooth it on with an offset spatula. Frost over 12-15 mint chocolate cupcakes or a 6” chocolate cake. Enjoy!

mint buttercream in a bowl before it is colored green.

Frosting Yield

The recipe for this mint frosting can cover a 9×13 sheet cake or fill and frost a 2 layer 8″ cake. If you are making cupcakes it depends on how much frosting you want for each one. Frosting them with a knife will frost 24 cupcakes. If you want to pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes you’ll likely get closer to 12-14 cupcakes.

Using green food coloring

You only need a couple drops to achieve the mint color you see here. Remember a little goes a long way! I use a water based food coloring but you can also use gel. Gel food coloring is much more concentrated so you really only need a small dab!

Remember that decorating gel you find in the grocery store is NOT the same as food coloring. Decorating gel is used to write on cakes so make sure to buy the food coloring and not decorating gel.

TIPS FOR RECIPE SUCCESS

  • The butter needs to be at room temperature for the frosting to be smooth and creamy. Learn how to soften butter quickly without melting it!
  • If you want a minty flavor without the green food coloring, you can leave it out. The food coloring is completely optional!
  • Make sure to use peppermint extract and not mint extract. They are two different flavors, and mint extract will not give you the same flavor as peppermint extract.
  • Garnish this minty frosting with chopped Andes mints, mini chocolate chips, or green sprinkles!
  • Cream or milk can be used to thin out the frosting if it’s too thick. Add one teaspoon at a time until desired consistency is reached. If the frosting is too thin, add more confectioners sugar ¼ cup at a time until desired consistency is reached.

STORAGE AND FREEZING

Storing: You do not have to keep the frosting in the fridge if you want to use it in the next few days.. To keep it longer, store it in the fridge wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 2 weeks.

Freezing: Place frosting in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, leave itIovernight in the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature before using. You may need to add milk or confectioners sugar in a mixing bowl to get it to the right consistency after thawing.

FAQ

What’s the difference between peppermint extract and mint extract?

Peppermint extract is made with peppermint oil and has a strong mint flavor. Mint extract is made with spearmint oil and has a milder mint flavor.

Can I make vegan mint buttercream frosting?

I think it would work to substitute the butter for vegan butter or margarine and use non-dairy milk like almond or soy milk.

My frosting is too thin; what can I do?

If the frosting is too thin there was too much liquid added. To fix this, add more confectioners sugar ¼ cup at a time until desired consistency is reached.

My frosting is too thick; what can I do?

If your frosting is too thick there was too much powdered sugar added. Add milk 1 teaspoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.

WAYS TO ENJOY

  • Frost it on a rich Fluffy Chocolate Cake with Sprinkles.
  • Spread a layer on top of Decadent Dairy-Free Brownies.
  • Makes a great topping for any Chocolate Cupcake.
  • Sandwich a layer of frosting between two Brownie Cookies.
A bowl of mint frosting top with chopped andes mints.

5 Minute Easy Mint Buttercream Frosting

Looking for a refreshing and delicious frosting to top your desserts? Look no further than this 5-Minute Easy Mint Buttercream Frosting recipe! It's made with just six simple ingredients, takes only 5 minutes to prepare, and is perfect for frosting chocolate cupcakes or any other dessert. Plus, it gives your dessert a delicious minty kick that will leave you wanting more.
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Frosting
Cuisine: American
Diet: Kosher
Keyword: chocolate cupcakes with mint frosting, mint buttercream frosting, mint chocolate cupcake frosting, mint icing
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Calories: 258kcal
Author: Sam Adler

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened 227g
  • 3 cups powdered sugar 360g
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tsp peppermint extract
  • 2-3 drops green food coloring
  • 2 teaspoons cream or milk

Instructions

  • Add the 1 cup butter and 3 cups confectioners sugar into a bowl of a hand or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and mix on low speed for 1 minute.
  • Move to medium speed and beat for another minute.
  • Stop the mixer and scrape down the bowl.
  • Add the teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 tsp peppermint extract, 2-3 drops green dye, and 2 teaspoons milk and mix again on medium high speed for 1-2 mins.
  • If the frosting is too thick add 1 tsp milk at a time until desired consistency. If too thin, add ¼ cup confectioners sugar until desired consistency.
  • Frost over 12-15 cupcakes or a 6” chocolate cake.

Notes

The green food coloring is optional. You only need 2-3 drops to make the mint color.
Frost this icing over mint chocolate cupcakes.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
5 Minute Easy Mint Buttercream Frosting
Amount Per Serving (1 portion)
Calories 258 Calories from Fat 144
% Daily Value*
Fat 16g25%
Saturated Fat 10g63%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 4g
Cholesterol 42mg14%
Sodium 3mg0%
Potassium 7mg0%
Carbohydrates 30g10%
Sugar 30g33%
Protein 0.2g0%
Vitamin A 485IU10%
Vitamin C 0.01mg0%
Calcium 6mg1%
Iron 0.02mg0%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Filed Under: Frosting

About Sam Adler

Sam Adler is a Le Cordon Bleu professionally trained pastry chef, Saveur Blog Award winner, food photographer, and food blogger over on FrostingandFettuccine.com. She has been featured in numerous online and in-print publications including Taste of Home Magazine, Saveur Magazine, The Feed Feed, and Food Blogger Pro. Sam lives in Hollywood florida with her husband, two young kids, and french bulldog. When she’s not baking and dancing in her kitchen you can find her at her favorite yoga spot.

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Hi! Im Sam Adler,

I'm a professionally trained pastry chef and food photographer.
This is a place where you will find easy yet impressive looking desserts. I also share a ton of food photography resources too! What can I say, I love pretty & delicious baked goods! Learn more about me!

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Saveur Blog award winner for best food Instagram

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#ad This year for Chanukah we’re switching it up #ad This year for Chanukah we’re switching it up from classic sufganiyot to make these fun donut fries! Puffy, golden, and delicious, dip your “fries” into melted chocolate or raspberry jelly and celebrate all week long! @aldiusa makes it super easy with their amazing selection of high quality products at seriously unimaginable prices. Run to your nearest @aldiusa to find all the ingredients you need to make these and have a Happy Chanukah!
Find the recipe below!

#ALDILove
Prep time: 1 hr 45 mins
Cook time: 1 min
Yield: 40 donut fries
2 pack Baker’s Corner Active Dry Yeast
1 1/2 cup warm water
1/3 cup Sugar
2 Simply Nature Grade A Organic Cage Free Brown Eggs
2 tbsp Stonemill Pure Vanilla Extract
1/3 cup Carlini Pure Vegetable Oil
5-6 cups Baker’s Corner All Purpose Flour
1 tsp Kosher salt
½ cup Baker’s Corner Powdered Sugar
For Dipping:
1 cup Baker’s Corner Dark or Milk Chocolate Morsels
Simply Nature Organic Raspberry Preserves
Method:
•Mix the yeast with water in a mixer bowl and let stand for 10 mins until frothy. Add the
sugar, eggs, vanilla, and oil to the bowl and mix until well combined.
•Start adding only 5 cups of flour and salt, and knead/mix on medium speed in a stand mixer
fitted with the dough attachment for 5 minutes until a soft, non-sticky dough forms. If the
dough seems sticky, add ¼ cup flour to the dough until it no longer sticks to the bowl when
mixing.
•Let the dough rest in the bowl for an hour to double in size. 
•Punch down the dough and remove it from the bowl onto a lightly floured surface. Using a
lightly floured rolling pin, roll it out into a rectangle. About 18”x 15” and 1/2 of an inch in
thickness. 
•Using a pizza cutter, cut in half vertically. Then slice thin strips horizontally. You want them
thin as they will puff up while frying.
•Let the fries rest for another 15 mins. 
•Meanwhile, using a deep fryer or a large pot, heat your oil to 350 degrees F. Fry the donut
fries 30 seconds per side, then drain on a paper towel.
•Dust the donut fries with powdered sugar and set aside.
•Microwave 1 cup of dark or milk chocolate for 30 seconds at a time until melted. Scoop
jelly into another bowl. Dip the fries in the chocolate or jelly!
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