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Pumpkin Buttercream Frosting (Fall Baking)

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Pumpkin buttercream frosting is full of the most delicious fall flavors! It’s perfect for frosting your pumpkin cookies, cupcakes, and cakes!

Two images of pumpkin buttercream frosting.
Pumpkin buttercream frosting.

This pumpkin buttercream frosting may or may not be my fall weakness (may or may not as in 100% it is). It’s so delicious that I could easily forego the baked goods and eat it with a spoon instead. Even Shane, my non-pumpkin loving husband, is obsessed. My plans to turn him into someone that loves all things pumpkin are on track thanks to this recipe.

Pumpkin and butter.

How to make pumpkin spice buttercream frosting:

This recipe is so easy to make, it just requires a little patience. The keys to this recipe are to use room temperature unsalted butter, to sift the icing sugar (get all those clumps out!), and to beat the frosting on medium speed using your stand mixer for a few minutes (until it’s delightfully fluffy). Other than those tips, it’s pretty straightforward.

Pumpkin and butter mixed.

Once you add the pumpkin into the butter, you’ll notice it has a weird grainy texture. It’s nothing to worry about, it’s supposed to look like this at this stage. It will become smooth and beautiful, I promise!

Pumpkin and butter and sifted icing sugar.

Be sure to sift the spices into the icing sugar. We want to get every single lump out so you’re left with the most velvety texture.

I highly recommend using my DIY Pumpkin Pie Spice blend for this recipe. I’ve been using it for all of my fall baking, and it’s made everything so much more delicious, aromatic, and full of that incredible fall spice.

Cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice on a plate.

Finally, wait on adding in the salt and vanilla until the very end. Once the buttercream frosting is light and fluffy, add them in and mix until they’re just barely incorporated.

This recipe will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. You can also store it in the freezer for up to three months. Let it thaw and then whip it up in your stand mixer to get it fluffy again. If it’s too thin, add in a Tablespoon or two of icing sugar to thicken it.

How to use this pumpkin buttercream frosting:

This buttercream tastes amazing on my Pumpkin Cake Cookies – it’s truly a match made in heaven! If you’re not sure what to use this buttercream on, I’d definitely recommend topping these cookies with it.

Pumpkin cake cookies with pumpkin buttercream frosting.

What you’ll need:

There are two key ingredients and one important tool that you’ll need for this recipe to turn out perfectly.

The first ingredient you’ll need is good pumpkin puree. I love this brand, and it’s such an insanely good value! Really, you can’t beat this quality or price anywhere.

The second ingredient you’ll need is this type of sugar. A lot of people accidentally use the wrong powdered sugar, which leaves you with gritty frosting. Use this kind of sugar to get perfectly smooth and creamy buttercream frosting.

The tool you’ll need is a reliable stand mixer. If you love to bake, using this affordable powerhouse stand mixer will make your life so much easier.

If you don’t have the space for a stand mixer, then using an electric mixer is your next best bet. The trick to using an electric mixer is using it with an extra large mixing bowl. I have a mixing bowl this size, and it comes in handy all the time. It’s perfect for meal prep, salads, and it makes baking so much easier.

Yield: 12 servings

Pumpkin Buttercream Frosting

Pumpkin buttercream frosting.

Pumpkin buttercream frosting is full of the most delicious fall flavors! It's perfect for frosting your pumpkin cookies, cupcakes, and cakes!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • ½ cup canned pure pumpkin puree (extra liquid drained off, not pumpkin pie mix)
  • 2 ½ cups icing sugar (sifted)
  • 1 teaspoon DIY Pumpkin Pie Spice
  • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. In a stand mixer using the paddle or whisk attachment, mix the butter on low speed for 30 seconds.
  2. Add the pumpkin and mix on low speed for 30 seconds.
  3. Add the sifted icing sugar and DIY Pumpkin Pie Spice. Mix on low until incorporated, then beat on medium speed for 3 minutes (or until the frosting is light and fluffy).
  4. Add in the fine sea salt and vanilla extract. Mix on low speed until just combined.

Notes

This can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to three months. To use the frozen frosting, allow it to thaw to room temperature, then beat in the stand mixer until it’s fluffy again. If needed, you can add one or two Tablespoons of icing sugar to thicken it.

If you don’t want to make the DIY Pumpkin Pie Spice, you can use ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves, ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg, and a pinch of ground allspice.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1/12

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 205Total Fat: 11.6gCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: .4gSugar: 25gProtein: .2g

Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

Tag @KeyToMyLime on Instagram so we can see your delicious meal!

Let me know what you think of this recipe in the comments and on Instagram! @keytomylime #keytomylime

Be sure to pin this recipe for later!

Pumpkin buttercream frosting.

Looking for more frosting recipes? Sugar Spun Run has a great cream cheese frosting recipe.

Make this Pumpkin Buttercream Frosting to frost your fall cookies, cupcakes, and cakes!

Pumpkin buttercream frosting.

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