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.

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

• 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!

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.