Easy to make, smooth coconut buttercream which is packed full of flavour. Perfect for decorating cupcakes, layer cakes and biscuits.
As promised, I’m back with my recipe for coconut buttercream to top the coconut cupcakes I shared last week.
As with the cupcakes, the key to getting lots of coconut flavour into this buttercream is using creamed coconut block from the asian food aisle. It also means that your buttercream is lovely and smooth so it’s perfect for piping.
The cupcakes recipe was accidentally dairy-free so perfect for anyone with an allergy or intolerance. This buttercream recipe isn’t dairy-free, however I’ve added details just below the main recipe to make a simple adjustment to make this dairy-free and vegan.
What You’ll Need
Before you start, make sure you have all of the equipment needed.
NOTE – These are affiliate links which means that if you purchase from Amazon after clicking on one the product links below I may earn a small commission. All of the products linked are ones I use in my kitchen.
Weighing Scales- Measuring Spoons
- Knife – to cut the butter
- Small bowl to melt the creamed coconut in the microwave or small pan to melt it on the hob
- Electric Mixer (or a bowl and hand mixer or wooden spoon)
- Sieve
- Piping Bags – if you’re planning on piping the cupcakes
- Piping Nozzle – To pipe the cupcakes as shown in the pictures you’ll need a JEM 1B nozzle.
FREE GRAMS TO CUPS CONVERSION CHARTS
Subscribe to the Charlotte's Lively Kitchen mailing list to get your FREE printable grams to cups and cups to grams conversion charts for twelve popular baking ingredients
Coconut Buttercream
INGREDIENTS
- 200 g butter - softened
- 200 g creamed coconut block
- 300 g icing sugar
- A little milk
INSTRUCTIONS
- Melt the creamed coconut (200g). This can either be done in the microwave in bursts of 20 seconds, mixing between each one, or on the hob over a very low heat. The consistency of the coconut should be thick but easily stirred. Leave to cool.
- Cut the butter (200g) into cubes and beat (either by hand or with an electric mixer on a low speed) until smooth.
- Add the icing sugar (300g) and beat until fully combined – I prefer to add the sugar a couple of spoonfuls at a time as this minimises the amount of sugar that flies out all over the kitchen! You’ll find that at first it’ll start to look lumpy but keep persevering and it’ll smooth out.
- Gradually add the melted creamed coconut, beating in each addition before adding more.
- Take a look at the consistency of your buttercream. If it is a spreadable/pipeable consistency then it's ready to use. If it is a little too stiff then add milk (no more that 1 tsp at a time) until you have the right consistency. Beating in each addition of milk fully before adding more.
- Your buttercream is now ready to use.
NOTES
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Any nutritional information provided is the estimated nutritional information per serving. Please refer to my guide to Charlotte’s Lively Kitchen nutritional information if you would like to learn more about how this is calculated.
How to make dairy-free/vegan coconut buttercream
Adapting this recipe to make this buttercream dairy-free (and also vegan) is really simple.
All you need to do is switch the 200g of butter for 100g dairy-free margarine (I use Pure Sunflower) and 100g baking block which is soft at room temperature (I use Stork).
Replace the milk used to get the buttercream to the right consistency with coconut-milk (or other dairy-free milk).
The method for making the buttercream is exactly the same as for the recipe above.
Free From/Suitable For…
The ingredients I used to make this recipe are all free from the following allergens. However, please check any labels carefully for allergens you need to avoid as brands can vary and product recipes can change over time.
- Suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans (only vegan if using the dairy-free adjustments above)
- Gluten-Free
- Egg-Free
- Dairy-Free (only if using the dairy-free adjustments above)
- Tree Nut-Free
- Peanut-Free
- Sesame-Free
- Soya-Free
- Sulphur Dioxide & Sulphite-Free
- Lupin-Free
Charlotte says
hey charlotte, i was thinking of making a birthday cake for my daughter using this buttercream as a filling and a middle layer between the outside of the cake and the fondant i’m covering it with. is this a suitable buttercream for this task or is it not going to be very sturdy?
Charlotte Oates says
This recipe should be fine for your purpose. You can add no/only a little milk or add a little more icing sugar to make sure you get the consistency you are happy with.
Priti says
Hiya. Unortunately, I failed; twice. Both times the nozzle got clogged due to the creamed coconut 🙁
Ended up with a greasy mess.
I am going to stick to cream cheese frostings because they are so much easier to keep smooth and also less sickly sweet. Appreciate your efforts, though.
Colette says
Hi Charlotte could I just use coconut cream instead of a block for the buttercream as I can’t find the block anywhere? x
Charlotte Oates says
No. The block is firmer so cannot be substituted for cream.
Lisa says
Absolutely the best coconut buttercream I’ve ever made (& tasted!)
I made a coconut and lime drizzle cake and topped it with this… it was delicious.
I’m so glad I found this recipe, thank you Charlotte!
Amar says
Hi Charlotte,
I’m looking to try this recipe but just wanted to confirm something. Will sound a bit silly but can this be used in cakes too and be kept in the fridge. Just wondering as the creamed block is solid and I don’t want it to affect the buttercream. Will the buttercream soften up once out of the fridge.
Kind regards
Amar
Charlotte Oates says
Yes, you can store them in the fridge, but make sure that you take them out a while in advance of eating them to allow them to come up to room temperature and the buttercream to soften.
V says
what do you mean by creamed coconut block ?
Charlotte Oates says
It’s this
Charlotte Oates says
Or maybe try my coconut sponge
Angela / Only Crumbs Remain says
Oooo it looks so very tempting … and to think I have a creamed coconut block in the cupboard too (no idea why I didn’t think of that when were were chatting about it on IG the other day!)
Angela x
Charlotte Oates says
I suspect is because it’s usually use for more savoury dishes and isn’t in the baking aisle. I only tried it on a who because I had some in the cupboard. I’m very glad I did!