If you’ve ever had a cake or cupcake from Walmart’s bakery, you may have been delighted by the smooth, creamy, and delicious buttercream frosting they use. It’s no surprise that many people try to recreate this frosting at home, as its sweetness and light texture make it the perfect topping for a variety of baked goods.
While the exact recipe for Walmart’s buttercream frosting is a closely guarded secret, you can create a homemade version that comes incredibly close with just a few simple ingredients. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to make a Walmart-style buttercream frosting at home, along with tips and tricks for getting the perfect consistency and flavor.
1. What Makes Walmart Buttercream Special?
Walmart’s buttercream frosting is known for its unique balance of sweetness and creaminess. It has a smooth, almost whipped texture that pairs well with both cakes and cupcakes. Unlike some other types of frosting, Walmart’s buttercream is not overly buttery, which makes it light and airy without being greasy.
The key to achieving this texture at home lies in the combination of powdered sugar, shortening, and butter, along with a few other ingredients that give it that signature flavor.
2. Walmart Buttercream Frosting Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 cup vegetable shortening (Crisco works well for this recipe)
- 8 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
- 2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract (to maintain a white color)
- 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk (for adjusting consistency)
- Pinch of salt (optional, to balance the sweetness)
Instructions
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Shortening
In a large mixing bowl, use a stand mixer or hand mixer to cream together the butter and shortening on medium speed. Mix until the combination is smooth, fluffy, and well incorporated. This should take about 3-4 minutes. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Step 2: Add the Vanilla Extract
Next, add the clear vanilla extract to the butter and shortening mixture. Mix on low speed until fully combined. Clear vanilla extract will help keep the frosting white, which is ideal for decorating or creating a neutral base for colored frostings.
Step 3: Gradually Add the Powdered Sugar
Slowly add the powdered sugar to the mixture, about 1 cup at a time, mixing on low to prevent the powdered sugar from puffing out of the bowl. Continue adding the sugar until all 8 cups are incorporated. The frosting will start to thicken as you add the sugar.
Step 4: Adjust the Consistency
Once the powdered sugar is fully incorporated, your frosting may be quite thick. To achieve the desired consistency, add about 2-3 tablespoons of heavy cream or milk, one tablespoon at a time, mixing on low speed. The cream will smooth out the frosting, making it easier to spread or pipe.
Step 5: Beat Until Fluffy
Once you’ve achieved the desired consistency, increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat the frosting for about 2-3 minutes. This helps to create the light, fluffy texture that Walmart’s buttercream frosting is known for. The frosting should now be smooth, creamy, and easy to work with.
Step 6: Taste and Adjust (Optional)
If the frosting is too sweet for your liking, add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness. Mix the salt in on low speed and taste again. You can also adjust the consistency further by adding more powdered sugar (to thicken) or more cream (to thin).
3. Tips for the Perfect Walmart Buttercream Frosting
Chill if necessary: If your frosting becomes too soft or difficult to work with, place it in the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes to firm up slightly.
Coloring the frosting: To keep the frosting white, use clear vanilla extract. If you plan to add food coloring, gel-based food colors work best as they won’t thin out the frosting.
Storing the frosting: You can store leftover buttercream frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. When ready to use, let it come to room temperature and re-whip it to restore its light, fluffy texture.
Piping with the frosting: Walmart’s buttercream frosting is excellent for piping decorations, such as rosettes, stars, or borders. The shortening in the recipe gives the frosting enough structure to hold its shape when piped.
4. Using Walmart Buttercream Frosting
Cakes and Cupcakes
This buttercream is perfect for frosting cakes and cupcakes. Its light and creamy texture spreads easily over cake layers and creates a smooth surface for decorating. It’s also great for filling cakes, as it maintains its structure between layers.
Decorating
Thanks to the addition of shortening, this buttercream holds up well for piping decorations. You can use it to create detailed designs like flowers, borders, and intricate patterns on cakes or cupcakes.
5. Flavor Variations
While the classic version of this frosting is vanilla-flavored, you can easily modify the recipe to create different flavors:
Chocolate buttercream: Add ½ cup cocoa powder and an additional tablespoon of heavy cream to the basic recipe.
Lemon buttercream: Add 1 tablespoon lemon zest and replace 1 teaspoon of vanilla with 1 teaspoon lemon extract.
Almond buttercream: Replace the vanilla extract with almond extract for a nutty twist.
Making Walmart-style buttercream frosting at home is easier than you might think, and the result is a light, fluffy, and delicious frosting that’s perfect for cakes, cupcakes, and all your decorating needs. With just a handful of simple ingredients and a few minutes of mixing, you can recreate the same creamy texture and sweet flavor that’s made Walmart’s bakery frosting so popular.
Whether you’re piping intricate designs or simply frosting a cake for a special occasion, this buttercream frosting recipe will give you professional-quality results every time. Give it a try, and your homemade cakes will look and taste like they came straight from the bakery!