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5.0 from 1,359 votes

French Buttercream

A creamy, custardy yolk-based buttercream that's too dreamy not to make!

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings: 1 batch
Calories: 170 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: French

Ingredients

INGREDIENTS
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar 100g
  • 3 tbsp water 45mL
  • 5 large egg yolks
  • 1 cup unsalted butter 227g, room temperature and cubed
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract 5mL
  • pinch of salt optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Combine sugar and water in medium saucepan. Heat over low heat while stirring until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to medium- high and bring to a boil
  2. Put egg yolks in a stand-mixer fitted with a whisk attachment and beat until thick and foamy.
  3. Cook the sugar and water syrup until it reaches 240 degrees F. Immediately remove from heat. With mixer running, SLOWLY drizzle hot syrup into bowl with yolks.
  4. Continue mixing until the bottom of the bowl is cool to the touch and the yolk mixture has cooled to room temperature.
  5. Add in butter one cube at a time allowing each piece to incorporate before adding the next. Add vanilla and salt. Continue mixing until buttercream is smooth and creamy. (About 5-6 minutes.)

Notes

  • THE BUTTER!! It has to be soft but not super soft about to melt. When you press into it the butter should yield but only after you apply a bit of pressure.
  • Don't let the sugar go past 240F, if you do things will get chunky.
  • When you add the sugar syrup in run the mixer on LOW, you don't want hot sugar splattering all over the place.
  • The recipe doesn't make a huge batch so if you're trying to ice a small naked cake make a double batch.

Nutrition Information

Serving 35grams Calories 170kcal (9%) Carbohydrates 17g (6%) Fat 11g (17%) Saturated Fat 116g (580%) Cholesterol 9mg (3%) Sodium 9mg (0%) Potassium 4mg (0%) Sugar 10g (20%) Vitamin A 200IU (4%) Calcium 10mg (1%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1batch

Amount Per Serving

Calories 170

% Daily Value*

Serving 35grams
Calories 170kcal 9%
Carbohydrates 17g 6%
Fat 11g 17%
Saturated Fat 116g 580%
Cholesterol 9mg 3%
Sodium 9mg 0%
Potassium 4mg 0%
Sugar 10g 20%
Vitamin A 200IU 4%
Calcium 10mg 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.