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When making buttercream frosting, is it better to use salted or unsalted butter? The recipe doesn't specify.

Buttercream frosting

sugar mama
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Rachelwrites
RachelwritesOctober 31, 2017
It's not going to make a significant difference in your frosting. I always use salted because icing contains so much sugar, it helps to balance the sweetness.
De'Norris B.
De'Norris B.October 31, 2017
From experience, I'd say Salted Butter is best to use because the recipe for making frosting calls for salt. So why not use salted butter? What if you ran out of salt and never noticed at the time you go to make your frosting, you won't be able to add it. On the other hand, if you already have "salted" butter, then there's no need to add it because it'll already be there. The role that salt plays in frosting is it provides balance to the taste. Most people want something that's sweet but not too sweet. I believe that a good balance in taste is best.
dymnyno
dymnynoMay 3, 2013
Definitely unsalted.
boulangere
boulangereMay 2, 2013
The gold standard for buttercream is one made with unsalted butter. I agree with ChefJune that using salted butter definitely affects the taste.
Nicole S.
Nicole S.May 2, 2013
I prefer unsalted myself because the amount of salt in regular butter doesn't seem to be too consistent. That being said, if I don't have any at home, I use regular and it still tastes great!
Komal
KomalMay 2, 2013
I always use salted butter in everything I make and I make around 15 cakes a week..all delicious with no complaints! Salt brings out the flavour of all foods after all
ChefJune
ChefJuneMay 2, 2013
Unless you're going for a salted caramel taste, I'd get unsalted butter for all your baking.
Author Comment
A Whole Foods Market Customer
A Whole Foods Market CustomerMay 2, 2013
Hi Sugar Mama, Zombie is right you can use salted in a pinch. But unsalted is what you should strive for. It is usually understood in recipes that for baking you use large eggs and unsalted butter. Salt content varies by brand and it would be nearly impossible to balance extra perceived saltiness without compromising the texture of the frosting. Unsalted butter also tends to be fresher as salt is a preservative. Enjoy your buttercream!
ZombieCupcake
ZombieCupcakeMay 2, 2013
Most recipes call for unsalted butter for the best results, but I have used salted in a pinch with little to no difference by most people.
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