Gretchen's World's Best Swiss Buttercream Frosting

Gretchen's World's Best Swiss Buttercream Frosting

The addition of icing sugar to this Swiss Buttercream adds more stability and structure to the mix and makes it a versatile icing for frosting, filling and decorating a cake. 

This is a delicious, addictive frosting that I use on many of the special cakes I make.  Because it's a Swiss Buttercream, it isn't overly sweet as an American Buttercream and can be eaten by the spoonful without any feelings of guilt.  The guilt comes later when stepping on the bathroom scale!  This is different from any other Swiss Buttercream Frosting I've ever made, seen or read about as it incorporates powdered icing sugar into the mix along with the granulated white sugar.  Traditional Swiss Buttercreams do not contain icing sugar or at least I haven't found any that do except for this recipe.  I think the addition of the icing sugar adds more stability and structure to the mix and makes it a versatile icing for frosting, filling and decorating a cake.  

I'd like to give the credit for this recipe to Gretchen Price. Gretchen is a fully trained pastry chef who has been sharing her expertise on YouTube for several years.  She also blogs all her recipes and teaching tips for easy access when attempting to duplicate her creations.  Her detailed instructions given with a warm humour brings the world of bakery quality products into the home kitchen.  I'd like to thank Gretchen for graciously giving me permission to use her recipe on my blog.  

Note: Since writing this post Gretchen has discontinued her blog and YouTube channel.  She has a new vegan channel here which does not include this recipe.

Printable recipe at end of post.

World's Best Swiss Buttercream Recipe
  • 6 large fresh egg whites or the equivalent in pasteurized egg whites, room temperature
  • 1½ cups white sugar
  • 2 cups icing sugar
  • ¾ cup vegetable shortening like Crisco, room temperature
  • 2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract or vanilla paste or your favourite flavouring
How to make it:
Place the egg whites and white sugar in the top of a double boiler or in a heat proof bowl sitting over a pan of boiling water.  Whisk or stir constantly until all the sugar has dissolved and the mixture reaches 160 degrees on a thermometer.  If you are using pasteurized eggs 115 degrees is adequate.  Immediately remove from heat and place in the bowl of a stand mixer.

Using the whisk attachment, whip on high speed until the egg whites have become thick, firm and glossy and holds a stiff peak.  This may take as long as 10 minutes or more. 

While the egg whites are whipping, measure and sift the icing sugar; measure the shortening and butter.  (2 cups of butter is a one pound block or 4 sticks).  Make sure the shortening and butter are soft at room temperature. 

When the egg whites are whipped, add the sifted icing sugar and whip in, starting on low speed and increasing to medium high until all the sugar has been thoroughly mixed in.  


Once the icing sugar has been mixed in add the room temperature shortening and butter.  I like to add the shortening first and then the butter as they don’t always have the same consistency.  I find I get a better mix if I don’t put both in the bowl at the same time.   Add the shortening and the butter in several large additions.  Now add the vanilla and beat in until incorporated.
  
Switch to the paddle attachment and continue mixing on low to medium speed until smooth.

The buttercream can be stored 4 days at room temperature, 2 weeks refrigerated or 2 months in the freezer.  Store in a covered container. 

Makes 6 Cups: Enough to ice 30 cupcakes or fill and generously ice one 8 or 9-inch cake.


Stirring or whisking constantly, heat the sugar and egg whites to 160 degrees.  The sugar should be completely dissolved.  Remove from the heat immediately and place in the bowl of a stand mixer.  You can see my makeshift double boiler.  A pot of water with a heat proof bowl set on top.

Whip the egg whites until they're thick, glossy and hold a stiff peak.  This will take about 10 minutes or more.

Sift the icing sugar into the egg whites.  Start the mixer on low speed or you'll have a sugar shower.  Once the sugar is mixed in, increase the speed to completely combine.

Once the icing sugar has been mixed in add the room temperature shortening and butter.  I like to add the shortening first.

Soft room temperature butter will be no trouble blending into the egg whites.

Beat in the butter.  You are then supposed to change to the paddle attachment and mix until smooth but you can see that I didn't.  I will remix it with the paddle when I use it.  This lot has been made for a wedding cake.  It will stored for 2 days in a cool room at room temperature.  

Gretchen's World's Best Swiss Buttercream Frosting
Here it is--The World's Best Swiss Buttercream Frosting.
 Creamy, smooth sweetness, waiting to be slathered on a cake.  
(Or you could just eat it with a spoon!)

To print click on arrow upper right side.⇩          

Comments

  1. When do you add the vanilla essence?

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    Replies
    1. Sorry I forgot to put that in the directions. I've fixed it, thanks. You add the vanilla after you mix in the shortening and butter.

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  2. Tried one batch going for another

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  3. I'm so glad i found this recipe Gretchen has gotten rid of her original blog and is all vegan now. I'm not vegan

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    Replies
    1. Glad I could be of help to you with this recipe.

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    2. I love this recipe and was happy to find it. I'm also looking for her original recipe for gingersnap cookies if anyone has it. Really miss her recipes.

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    3. Glad you found this recipe but sadly I don't have the gingersnap recipe.

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    4. I am upset about the website too!!! I'm sorry, but I could never go vegan. Her old recipes were golden :'( I give this recipe to anyone who is looking to make swiss buttercream so I was trying to print off copies from her website for a class. Thank you for sharing this!

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    5. I agree, I have been looking for this for so long. Thanks heaps

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  4. Hi ..can you please share Gretchen's bakery vanilla cake oil based one. Unfortunately I have not saved the recipe card and I greatly miss it now.

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  5. Gretchen needs to bring her recipes back!

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  6. Hey all.. I've made this recipe a ton but never with Crisco golden flavor shortening, anyone have any experience with that? Also has anyone tried to make this without the icing sugar and just use regular sugar?

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    Replies
    1. The golden shortening should work but you would have a more yellow colour. The granulated sugar would probably leave the frosting very gritty. If you try it let us know.

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    2. I made the frosting twice. I first tried to put all the 3 1/2 cups sugar in the egg but for some reason it didn't whip up properly after (I was whipping by hand so that could be a factor). I made it again as normal and with a mixer. I added granulated sugar in place of icing sugar, before the shortening and butter, and it turned out good. It does become grainy if sugar is added after the butter and shorting.

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    3. I thought that the granulated sugar was added to egg whites and then the butter n shortening added to that after it cools then.the powdered sugar is added per taste. If you only want to add a little or add it all depending on how sweet you want it. This is a favorite recipe of mine.

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  7. How long does the buttercream last outside the fridge on a cupcake?

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    1. So sorry I didn't see your comment until today. If the room is cool the buttercream should be good for several days. I would assume the cupcakes would be eaten by then, lol.

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  8. Good afternoon, I am wondering whether the shortening can be omitted and replaced with butter? Thanks

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  9. hi does any one have the recipe for italian meringue buttercream by gretchen i cant find any where

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    1. Sorry, I don't have that recipe.

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    2. http://web.archive.org/web/20150325055638/http://www.woodlandbakeryblog.com/italian-meringue-buttercream

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  10. Hi Thanks sooo soo much for this recipe. I have few queries :
    - Is the Cup size referred to here 250 ml?
    - If I need to add melted chocolate to this recipe, what quantity do I need to add?

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    1. The cup size would be 8 ounces or about 240 ml. But for this recipe 250 ml would work for the cups. For the chocolate I would use about 12 ounces/1 ½ cups or 340 ml of chopped and melted chocolate (or chocolate chips in the same measure). Make sure the chocolate has cooled before adding.

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    2. She used to have a recipe for a mocha flavored icing that used melted bakers chocolate and instant coffee flavoring that was AMAZING with her chocolate cake recipe! I am hoping I can find an old printed copy tonight to make for my son's birthday cake tomorrow. I didn't realize she had revamped and purged her previous website. THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing this recipe! I would've been in trouble trying to make this from memory tonight! :)

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    3. Glad I could be of help. I'm sure your son will enjoy his cake.

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  11. I want to make a raspberry version any suggestions I want to keep the original consistency

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    1. If you can find freeze dried raspberry powder I'd use that but if you don't have access to that I'd cook down the raspberries into a very thick mixture. Cook over a very low heat so the raspberries don't caramelize which will change the flavour.

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  12. Hi, I would like to ask which temperature is correct? The recipe said it was 160 degrees (Fahrenheit, right?) but the text below the photo of heating egg whites said 140.

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    1. 160 F. is the correct temperature. I'll correct that. Thanks.

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    2. You put 115 degree at one place and 160 degree at another

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    3. 115 degrees would only be used if you are using pasteurized egg whites which come in cartons next to the eggs in the grocery store. 160 degrees would be needed if you are using whites from an egg that you separated from regular supermarket/farm eggs. 160 will pasteurize the egg white.

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  13. This has been my go-to SMBC for a long time. Is there a chocolate version?? Thanks.

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    1. Hi Carolyn. I don't have the chocolate version but if I remember correctly Gretchen melted chocolate and let it cool to room temperature and whipped it into the original recipe. Sorry I don't have any measurements.

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    2. I have been wondering where she went too. I lost her after she started making her first vegan German chocolate cake and the person who was recording her left. I wrote a lot of her recipes down

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  14. I have been so sad that I could not access any of Gretchen's recipes. I watched her video on YouTube that she deleted them all and I get it, but I was sad they were forever lost.

    But guess what?! Today I found out there is something called a Google wah back when search engine where you can view archived websites. And I actually found some recipes on there from her original woodland bakery website so wanted to share!

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    1. Hello, I was so excited to see this message of yours. Is it possible that you could please share Gretchen's old recipes if you were able to find it? Thanks!

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    2. Click on this link. Then go to the three lined tab at the top. Then click on the arrow next to all recipes (does not work if you actually click all recipes). Then click on one of those categories and it will pull up all her recipes for frosting, cake, etc.

      http://web.archive.org/web/20150318025433/http://www.woodlandbakeryblog.com/category/icings-fillings/

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    3. Thank you so much for sharing this link! I have searched several times over the last several years for Gretchen's vanilla cupcake recipe and couldn't find it. Her vanilla cupcake recipe is the best I've ever made and I've tried dozens of recipes. Now I've recorded the recipe so I never lose it again!

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  15. Hi can you make the swiss buttercream a chocolate flavor?

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  16. Yes you can make this chocolate by adding melted chocolate to the mix when adding the butter. I think about 4 ounces of unsweetened or dark chocolate melted and cooled to room temperature should work well.

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    1. You writing 4oz of chocolate here and 12oz at another reply. Which one is it???

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    2. 12 oz. of chocolate would be about 2 cups of chopped chocolate or chocolate chips which would give you a very intense chocolate flavour. 4 oz would be much milder in flavour. Choose what you want. I would prefer the 4 oz as I don't like much chocolate, lol.

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  17. Are the temp measurements in degrees F?

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    1. Yes, all temperatures are in fahrenheit.

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  18. I have been making Gretchen's buttercream for many, many years. Most folks taste it, love it and yet can't quite define it. I love it for its flavor and stability.

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    1. It's certainly a favourite of mine and most people who taste it. I love that it's not too sweet.

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  19. Thank you so much I'm making my daughter a small wedding cake and wanted to use Swiss Meringue Buttercream do you think making rosettes will work with this Buttercream ?Once again thank you oh would you happen to have any of Gretchens other cake recipes or cookies ,frosting's

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    1. This makes great rosettes and any piped flower. You can make them ahead and freeze them if you wish. Sorry, I don't have any of Gretchen's recipes.

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