Russian Buttercream

4.06 from 18 votes

With just 3 ingredients, this Russian Buttercream recipe is silky smooth and full of buttery flavor. Sometimes called Sweetened Condensed Milk Frosting, it is ready for your cakes and cupcakes in under 10 minutes.

Prep Time10

Total Time10

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: cups

Calories: 971kcal

Author: Sharon Garofalow

Equipment

Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer with mixing bowl
measuring cup
Measuring spoons

Ingredients

1 cup butter diced, and at room temperature
14 oz. can condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

In the bowl of a stand mixer (or a bowl with a hand mixer) beat the butter on medium speed for 6 minutes or until fluffy and lighter in color.
Slowly pour in one-third of the condensed milk mix until fully incorporated into the butter but not much more. (If you don’t have a stand mixer, just use your hand mixer to whip together between each new addition of milk).
Continue with another third of condensed milk, allowing it to be fully incorporated before adding the final third.
Add the vanilla and beat until fully mixed in.

Notes

This Sweetened Condensed Milk Frosting recipe makes enough to cover a 9x13 cake or 2 dozen cupcakes (with a thin layer).

Make sure to use room temperature butter. Leaving it out for at least an hour should get it softened enough.
Your sweetened condensed milk should be about the same temperature as your butter or it could cause separation.
To keep this condensed milk frosting as smooth as possible, with the least air bubbles, don’t overmix. Once the butter is fluffy, you just want to mix the milk in until combined.
Adding it to a piping bag and using fun piping tips can be a cute way to decorate cakes and cupcakes easily. Since this is a bit stiffer of frosting, it should hold up way to various designs or applications. If you find that it’s not stiff enough, try adding 1-2 TBSP of powdered sugar.
Easily turn this into Chocolate Condensed Milk Buttercream by adding 2-3 TBSP of cocoa powder and mixing it in with the butter before adding the milk.
If you happen to have Sweetened Condensed Milk Frosting leftover, don’t get rid of it! Just store it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for about 3 days.

If your Condensed Milk Frosting starts to separate or is runny, please read the post for troubleshooting tips under Frequently Asked Questions.

Nutrition