Vanilla Cherry Ginger Buttercream

Jul 15, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Frostings fillings toppings Origin: Tahitian Vanilla: Extract Easy

Cupcakes piped with vanilla cherry ginger buttercream

This buttercream is smooth, fluffy, and easy to spread or pipe. Real cherries add bright, tangy fruit flavor that stands up to the rich vanilla. Ginger adds flavor and texture. Best with Tahitian vanilla (floral, cherry, anise); any pure vanilla works.

Prep 15 min

Cook —

Total 15 min

Servings 24

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

servings

1.0 cup (227.0 g)unsalted butter, softened
3 ½ cups (400.0 g)confectioners' sugar
1.0 tbsp (15.0 ml)heavy cream
¼ tsp (1.5 g)fine sea salt
1 ½ tsp (7.5 ml)VanillaGoods vanilla extract
4.0 tbsp (60.0 g)tart cherry juice concentrate

Flavor Accent

1.0 tsp (2.0 g)ground ginger

Make it at home

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Instructions

Beat the softened butter on medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth and slightly lighter in color.
Add the confectioners' sugar in three additions on low speed, mixing each addition in before adding the next. Start slowly so the sugar stays in the bowl.
Add the vanilla, salt, tart cherry concentrate, and 1 tablespoon of the cream. Beat on medium-high for 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in the ground ginger until evenly dispersed. The buttercream should be smooth, fluffy, and distinctly cherry-forward while the vanilla remains aromatic.
If needed, adjust the buttercream with only a teaspoon or two of additional cream at a time; the cherry concentrate already contributes substantial liquid. For piping, keep the buttercream slightly firmer than you would for spreading.

Tips

Vanilla bean paste swaps 1:1 for the extract and adds visible vanilla seeds; for a whole bean, use the seeds of 1 bean in place of 2 teaspoons of extract.
Best vanilla for this: Tahitian (floral, cherry, anise), or Madagascar (rich, creamy, classic). Any pure vanilla works.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make vanilla cherry ginger buttercream?

Plan on 15 minutes of prep. It makes 3 cups.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Vanilla bean paste swaps 1:1 for the extract and adds visible vanilla seeds; for a whole bean, use the seeds of 1 bean in place of 2 teaspoons of extract.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 24 servings this recipe makes.

137 Calories / serving

7.9g Fat

17.2g Carbs

0.1g Protein

16.7g Sugar

Whole recipe (24 servings): ~3288 cal · 190g fat · 413g carbs · 2g protein · 401g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 137 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 26 min·1.5 mi·~3050 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 19 min·1.0 mi·~1900 steps
Moderate cycling 14 min·2.8 mi
Swimming laps 19 min
Jogging 13 min·1.1 mi·~2100 steps
Stair climbing 13 min·~1150 steps
Dancing 22 min
Bodyweight circuit training 14 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 32 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.