Get ready to elevate your cakes and cupcakes with this easy, delicious Strawberry Buttercream Frosting! Made with just butter, strawberries, powdered sugar, and milk, it’s super fluffy and sweet, perfect for adding a fruity touch to your baked treats. You’ll want to keep this recipe on hand for all your future desserts!

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Below you will find tips, tricks and helpful hints for making this recipe including step by step instructions with pictures. If you would like to go directly to the recipe, scroll down to the recipe card or tap “Jump to Recipe” at the top of the page.
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Buttercream
If you’re looking to add a pop of flavor and color to your cakes and cupcakes, this Strawberry Buttercream made with freeze-dried strawberries is a game changer! The freeze-dried berries pack a punch of pure strawberry flavor, giving your frosting a fresh, fruity taste and a gorgeous, vibrant color that’s hard to beat.
Plus, it’s super easy to make, so you’ll be topping all your baked goods with this irresistible, berry-packed frosting in no time. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you!

Strawberry Buttercream Frosting Ingredients
*Ingredient amounts are located in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Unsalted Butter: The creamy base that ensures our frosting achieves that dreamy, creamy consistency. Make sure your butter has been softened to room temperature.
- Freeze-Dried Strawberries: The star of our show, packing a powerful punch of natural strawberry flavor, transforming the frosting into a fresh strawberry buttercream extravaganza. Find a package of freeze-dried strawberries on the baking aisle of you local grocery store near the raisins.
- Milk or Heavy Cream: A dash of this gives our frosting the perfect creamy strawberry frosting texture, making it easy to spread or pipe.
- Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, it whips into the mix, adding sweetness and contributing to that silky-smooth, sweet frosting we all crave.
How to Make Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
[Step 1] Add the package of freeze dried strawberries to a food processor and process until it has turned into a fine powder.

[Step 2] Add the strawberry powder and softened butter to the bowl of a stand mixer and beat at medium speed until incorporated.

[Step 2] Measure 2 tablespoons of milk or cream into the bowl and mix.

[Step 4] Add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing after each addition. Check the consistency of the frosting. If needed, add 1 or 2 more tablespoons of milk or cream.

[Step 5] Whip the frosting on high speed for 2-3 minutes.

[Step 6] Add the frosting to a piping bag to frost cupcakes or use to frost your favorite cake!
Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
- Spatula
- Food Processor
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Piping Bags
- Frosting Tips

How to Store Frosting
To store homemade strawberry buttercream frosting, simply transfer it to an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to a week.
If you’re planning to use it later, just let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to soften before spreading or piping it.
For longer storage, you can freeze the frosting for up to 3 months—just make sure to thaw it in the fridge overnight and give it a quick stir before using!

Tips & Tricks
- Sift the confectioners’ sugar to avoid any lumps for that silky, smooth texture we all love in a sweet frosting.
- Adjust the milk or heavy cream carefully to find that dreamy, creamy consistency. The goal is creamy strawberry frosting that’s just the right kind of spreadable.
- Add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness. This little trick enhances the natural strawberry flavor, making it taste even more like real strawberries.
- Taste as you go to ensure the frosting meets your sweet spot. Freeze-dried strawberries pack a powerful punch, so it’s easy to adjust for your perfect level of fresh strawberry flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I substitute freeze-dried strawberries with fresh or frozen ones? While this recipe is optimized for freeze-dried berries to ensure the best strawberry buttercream flavor and a vibrant color, you can use fresh strawberries. Just remember, the moisture content will be higher, so you may need to adjust the confectioners’ sugar to achieve the right consistency.
- How can I enhance the strawberry flavor further? For an even more intense strawberry experience, consider adding a small amount of natural strawberry extract. This will boost the real strawberry flavor without altering the creamy consistency of your frosting.
- What if my frosting is too thick or thin? Easy fix! If your strawberry buttercream is too thin, gradually add more powdered sugar until you reach the desired consistency. If it’s too thick, a splash of milk or heavy cream will help achieve that perfect creamy consistency.
- What Are Freeze Dried Strawberries? Freeze dried strawberries are strawberries that have had the moisture extracted to preserve the fruit from spoiling.
- Where Can You Buy Freeze Dried Strawberries? You can find freeze dried strawberries at most groceries stores, Wal-Mart, Target, and online at Amazon.com.
- How Much Frosting Does This Recipe Make? This recipe will yield about 2 1/2 – 3 Cups of frosting. It was the perfect amount to frost 24 cupcakes and could easily frost an 8 inch cake 2-layer cake.

Other Frosting Recipes:
- The Best Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
- White Chocolate Frosting
- Perfect Cream Cheese Frosting
- Salted Caramel Chocolate Ganache
Did you try this recipe? Make sure to give it a five star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below!

Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
The best, most fluffy, strawberry buttercream frosting made with just four ingredients. Butter, strawberries, powdered sugar and milk!
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Unsalted Butter, softened
- 1 Package (about 1 Ounce) Freeze Dried Strawberries
- 2-4 Tablespoons Milk or Cream
- 4 Cups Powdered Sugar
Instructions
- Begin by adding the softened butter to the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Add the package of freeze dried strawberries to a food processor and process until it has turned into fine crumbs.
- Pour the strawberry powder into the mixer with the softened butter and mix until incorporated.
- Measure 2 tablespoons of milk or cream into the bowl and mix.
- Add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing after each addition.
- Check the consistency of the frosting. If needed, add 1 or 2 more tablespoons of milk or cream.
- Whip the frosting on high speed for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the frosting to a piping bag to frost cupcakes or use to frost your favorite cake!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 145Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 3mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 0gSugar: 18gProtein: 0g
Anna
Sunday 28th of November 2021
This strawberry buttercream is amazing if you want that full punch of strawberry flavor. I made this a year ago and my family went crazy over it. Now it's the most requested frosting.