Most Delicious Brown Sugar Buttercream

Whip up the most delicious Brown Sugar Buttercream with this easy recipe! Perfectly sweet, creamy, and rich with a hint of caramel flavor—ideal for cakes, cupcakes, or cookies.

Brown Sugar in Frosting? 

Why yes. I believe I shall!

I don’t know about you, but I’m a fan of brown sugar. I use it in baking all the time. The brown sugar is what gives most cookies their set-apart taste. (An over-the-top delicious taste, by the way!)

And brown sugar is the key ingredient in today’s recipe, the delicious (and luscious) buttercream that you can use on cakes, cookies, or cupcakes. 

Why Brown Sugar? 

Brown sugar adds more than sweetness to frosting—it infuses a deep, caramel-like richness that sets this buttercream apart from the rest. 

The molasses in the sugar gives the frosting a warm, cozy flavor. (Did you realize that brown sugar has molasses in it? That’s where the darker color comes from.)

Brown Sugar Has a Rich, Warm Flavor

And this flavor pairs beautifully with spice cakes, banana bread, chocolate desserts, or even a simple yellow cake.

I used it on a molasses cake, so (in essence) it was molasses on molasses. (And the result was spectacular, one of my favorite recent bakes.) 

Friends, if you’re looking for a frosting that tastes like it came straight from grandma’s kitchen, this brown sugar buttercream is the answer.

What are we waiting for? Let’s dive right in! 

Brown Sugar Buttercream Ingredients

I’ve prepared a recipe card for you at the bottom of this post but here’s a glance at what you’ll need. These are such simple ingredients. I’m guessing you have most in your kitchen right now. 

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup milk (or heavy cream for extra creaminess)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3–4 cups powdered sugar (adjust for texture)
• Pinch of salt

How to Make Brown Sugar Buttercream

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the brown sugar and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves a bit and the mixture looks glossy.

Add the milk and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir well and then remove from the heat and let cool to lukewarm.

Transfer to a mixing bowl. (I used my stand mixer with whisk attachment.) Add vanilla and 2 cups of powdered sugar. Whip until completely smooth and shiny.

Gradually add more powdered sugar until you reach a spreadable frosting consistency. What a lovely texture!

Spread over the completely cooled cake. I used my molasses cake. (Delicious!)

The frosting will firm slightly as it sets.

Things to Love About This Buttercream

• It’s quick and easy to make with pantry staples.
• The brown sugar adds a warm, caramel-like flavor you can’t get from white sugar.
• Smooth, creamy texture that spreads beautifully on cakes and cupcakes.
• Pairs with so many different flavors—from chocolate to spice to fruit.
• Feels like an “old-fashioned” frosting with a modern twist.

Delicious Ways to Use Brown Sugar Buttercream

Try this frosting on:

• Old-Fashioned Molasses Cake with Brown Sugar Buttercream – a perfect nostalgic pairing.
• Pumpkin Pound Cake – cozy fall flavors made even richer with this luscious frosting. Delicious!
• Banana Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting – swap the cream cheese for brown sugar buttercream!
• Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake – the deep chocolate and caramel notes are heavenly together.
• Spiced Apple Dump Cake – top with a swirl for an irresistible fall dessert.
• Ultimate Chocolate Cupcakes – elevate them with this frosting instead of the usual buttercream.
• Gingerbread Whoopie Pies – use it as a filling for a caramel-spice kick.

Thanks for stopping by! That's it for this quick and easy buttercream. Before you go, why not pin some photos to your Pinterest boards?

About the Baker

Hi, I’m Janice Thompson, the baker and blogger behind Out of the Box Baking. I love turning simple ingredients into extraordinary treats and sharing recipes that home bakers can make with confidence. Whether it’s cookies, cakes, or buttercreams like this one, I believe baking should be fun, approachable, and always delicious.