Merry Berry Strawberry Buttercream
December 19, 2025
A sweet strawberry buttercream with festive pink-mas color!
Merry Berry Strawberry Buttercream is a bright pink frosting made with real freeze-dried strawberries for sweet berry flavor and festive pink-mas color. It’s a berry-sweet way to bring a little color, fun, and holiday cheer to cupcakes, cakes, and just about anything you’re frosting.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bright, real strawberry flavor without extracts
- Pipes cleanly for cupcakes and borders
- Smooth enough for cakes and cookie sandwiches
- Holds its shape for holiday dessert tables
Ingredient Notes
- Freeze-dried strawberries: These give the frosting its real strawberry flavor and natural pink color. They need to be fully powdered so the buttercream stays smooth. Fresh or frozen strawberries will add too much moisture and won’t work here.
- Butter: Salted butter keeps the frosting from tasting overly sweet. If you’re using unsalted butter, add a small pinch of salt.
- Powdered sugar: Start with 3½ cups for a softer, creamier frosting. Use closer to 4 cups if you want more structure for piping.
- Heavy cream: More cream creates a softer frosting, while less cream gives it more body. Add it gradually so you can stop at the consistency you like.
- Pink food coloring (optional): The strawberries naturally tint the frosting pink. If you want a brighter pinkmas color, add 1–2 drops of gel food coloring while mixing.
Quick Prep Notes
Do I need to grind the strawberries before measuring?
Yes. Measure the freeze-dried strawberries first, then grind them into a fine powder so the flavor stays consistent and the frosting blends smoothly.
What kind of food coloring works best if I use it?
Gel food coloring works best because it won’t thin the frosting. Liquid coloring can change the texture if too much is added.
Can this frosting handle piping and decorating?
Yes. It holds its shape well for swirls, borders, and cupcake frosting, especially if you use the higher end of the powdered sugar range.
Merry Berry Strawberry Buttercream
Ingredients
- 1 cup salted butter, softened
- 3½–4 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup freeze-dried strawberries, finely powdered (measured before grinding)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3–5 tablespoons heavy cream or whole milk
- Pinch of salt (only if using unsalted butter)
- Pink food coloring, optional
Instructions
- Grind the freeze-dried strawberries into a very fine powder using a blender or food processor. Sift if needed to remove any seeds or larger pieces.
- Beat the butter on medium-high for 2–3 minutes, until fluffy and pale.
- Add the powdered sugar and strawberry powder gradually, starting on low speed and increasing as everything incorporates, until smooth.
- Mix in the vanilla and 3 tablespoons of the cream. Beat for another 2–3 minutes until light and whipped.
- Add additional cream, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches your desired piping or spreading consistency.
- If you want a brighter pink color, add 1–2 drops of pink food coloring while mixing. Gel food coloring works best so the frosting stays thick and smooth.
Christmas Pairing Ideas
- Red velvet cupcakes
- Vanilla layer cake with holiday sprinkles
- Sugar cookie sandwich cookies
- Strawberry shortcake–style Christmas cupcakes
- Funfetti holiday cakes and bars
Sprinkle of Fun
This frosting is perfect for a girls’ night baking session with a Christmas movie playing in the background. Frost your treats, sneak a spoonful, and lean into the pinkmas fun as everything comes together.
Put on The Princess Switch, A Christmas Prince, Holidate, Let It Snow, or let a Hallmark marathon play while you bake.
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