This Gelato Buttercream is silky smooth and perfect for decorating cakes, cupcakes, brownies, and more. With only three ingredients, it's incredibly easy to make. You'll love how the rich flavor of gelato blends with the creaminess of butter and sweetness of condensed milk. Follow this simple recipe to create a buttercream that pipes beautifully and tastes amazing.

It's a unique twist on Russian buttercream, also known as condensed milk buttercream. It has a silky smooth texture that pipes beautifully with a 1M, 2D, or 3J piping tip. The rich flavor from the gelato makes it perfect for cakes, cupcakes, and more.
It's a delicious and clever way to infuse flavor into plain buttercream, similar to my Magnum Ice Cream Buttercream.
What is Russian Buttercream?
Russian buttercream, also known as sweetened condensed milk buttercream, is a type of buttercream frosting that uses only two main ingredients: butter and sweetened condensed milk. It is known for its simplicity and rich, creamy texture. Here's a bit more detail about it:
- Ingredients: The main ingredients are unsalted butter and sweetened condensed milk. The butter is whipped until light and fluffy, and then the sweetened condensed milk is gradually added to create a smooth and creamy frosting.
- Texture: Russian buttercream has a silky, smooth texture that is less sweet than traditional American buttercream. It is easy to spread and pipe, making it ideal for decorating cakes and cupcakes.
- Flavor: The flavor of Russian buttercream is rich and buttery with a slight sweetness from the condensed milk. It pairs well with a variety of cake flavors and can be easily flavored with extracts, melted chocolate, or other additions.
- Versatility: You can use this versatile buttercream to fill, frost, and decorate cakes and cupcakes. It holds up well at room temperature and stores well in the refrigerator or freezer for later use.
- Ease of Preparation: One of the main advantages of Russian buttercream is its ease of preparation. With only two ingredients, it comes together quickly and doesn't require the cooking of a sugar syrup, unlike some other types of buttercream.
Overall, Russian buttercream is a great choice for those looking for a less sweet, rich, and creamy frosting that is easy to make and versatile in use.

What can this Gelato Buttercream be used for?
You can use this versatile Gelato Buttercream to decorate cupcakes, layer and cover cakes, and pipe buttercream borders. It's perfect for topping brownies, filling cookie sandwiches, and even making whoopie pies. Its smooth texture and rich flavor make it ideal for a variety of desserts.
Ingredients in Gelato Buttercream
Unsalted Butter: This provides the creamy base for the gelato buttercream. Its rich, smooth texture helps achieve the desired consistency, making the buttercream easy to pipe and spread.
Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds the necessary sweetness and a dense, creamy texture. This ingredient is key to creating the characteristic smoothness of Russian buttercream.
Gelato: The secret ingredient that infuses the buttercream with a unique and rich flavor. You can choose any flavor you like, but Ferrero Rocher adds a particularly indulgent taste. The gelato enhances both the flavor and the smooth, silky texture of the buttercream.

How To Make Gelato Buttercream
Prepare the Gelato: Start by microwaving your gelato for about 20 seconds. This softens it slightly, making it easier to incorporate into the buttercream. After microwaving, give it a good stir and then place it in the refrigerator to keep it cool until you're ready to use it.

Whip the Butter: Place unsalted butter in a mixing bowl. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the butter on medium-high speed for about 2 minutes. The goal is to achieve a light and fluffy texture, which forms the creamy base of your buttercream.

Add the Sweetened Condensed Milk: Pour the sweetened condensed milk into the bowl with the whipped butter. Continue mixing on medium-high speed for another 2 minutes. This step ensures the sweetened condensed milk is fully incorporated, contributing to the smooth, rich texture characteristic of Russian buttercream.

Scrape the Bowl: Use a silicone spatula to scrape down the sides and base of the mixing bowl. This ensures you evenly mix all ingredients and incorporate all lumps of butter or condensed milk.
Incorporate the Gelato: Get the cooled gelato from the refrigerator and add it to the mixing bowl. Mix on medium speed for 1-2 minutes, until the gelato is fully incorporated into the buttercream. The mixture should be smooth and silky, with the gelato flavor evenly distributed throughout.

Remove Air Bubbles: Use a silicone spatula to give the buttercream a final mix by hand for about a minute. This step helps knock out any air bubbles, resulting in a smoother finish that's easier to pipe.
Ready to Use: Your Gelato Buttercream is now ready to use. It pipes beautifully with a 1M, 2D, or 3J piping tip for decorating cupcakes. It's also versatile enough to layer and cover cakes, and to pipe buttercream borders.

Fay's Top Tips For Gelato Buttercream
Melt the Gelato: Microwave the gelato just enough to melt it, about 20 seconds. It should be melted but not hot. This makes it easier to blend smoothly into the buttercream, ensuring a consistent texture without lumps or separation.
Mix Thoroughly: After adding each ingredient, especially the sweetened condensed milk and the gelato, make sure to mix well. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure everything is evenly combined. This ensures the buttercream has a uniform texture and flavor, making it perfect for spreading or piping.
Variations and Serving Suggestions
Flavor Variations:
- Different Gelato Flavors: Use any gelato flavor you like. Chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla can create different tastes and pair well with various cakes or cupcakes.
- Add Extracts: Add a few drops of vanilla, almond, or mint extract to enhance the flavor of the buttercream.
- Mix-Ins: Stir in some finely chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or crushed cookies. Finely chop them to avoid clogging the piping tip if you plan to pipe the buttercream.

Serving Suggestions for Gelato Buttercream:
- Cupcakes: Pipe the buttercream on top of cupcakes using a 1M, 2D, or 3J piping tip. It holds its shape well and looks beautiful.
- Cakes: Use the buttercream to layer and cover cakes. It spreads easily, creating a smooth and elegant finish.
- Brownies: Spread a thick layer of buttercream on brownies for an extra indulgent treat.
- Cookie Sandwiches: Use the buttercream as a filling for cookie sandwiches, adding a creamy and delicious middle.
- Whoopie Pies: Perfect for filling whoopie pies, giving them a creamy and flavorful center.
- Topping Desserts: Dollop the gelato buttercream on top of fruit crisps, tarts, or pies for a creamy and delicious topping.

- Mars Bar Buttercream
- Pineapple Buttercream (No Powdered Sugar Added)
- Aero Buttercream – Mint Condensed Milk Frosting
- Raspberry Buttercream
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use any flavor of gelato you like. Chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla are great options. Experiment to find your favorite combination.
Store the buttercream in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week or in the freezer for up to two months. Bring it back to room temperature and mix well before using.
Yes, you can add finely chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or crushed cookies. Just make sure they are finely chopped to avoid clogging the piping tip.
Spread the buttercream evenly on the cake using a spatula. You can use a bench scraper to smooth the sides and top for a professional finish.
Yes, you can make it ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator or freezer. Just remember to bring it to room temperature and mix it well before using.
Absolutely! This buttercream pipes beautifully with a 1M, 2D, or 3J piping tip, making it perfect for decorating cupcakes and cakes.

Ferrero Rocher Gelato Buttercream 3 Ingredients
INGREDIENTS
- 250 g (1 cups) butter unsalted and softened
- 200 g (7 oz) sweetened condensed milk ½ can
- 4 scoops (4 scoops) gelato Ferrero Rocher flavor
EQUIPMENT
INSTRUCTIONS
- Microwave the gelato for 20 seconds, stir well, and refrigerate until needed.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the butter on medium-high speed for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add the sweetened condensed milk to the whipped butter and mix for another 2 minutes until well incorporated.
- Scrape the sides and base of the bowl with a silicone spatula.
- Add the cooled gelato to the bowl and mix for 1-2 minutes until well combined and silky smooth.
- Use a silicone spatula to mix for an additional minute to remove any air bubbles.
- The Gelato Buttercream is now ready to use. It pipes well with a 1M, 2D, or 3J piping tip for cupcakes. It can also be used to layer and cover cakes and pipe buttercream borders.
Patti says
How much gelato is used?
4 scoops is rather dubious.
Can you give a weight?
Perhaps a volume measurement after it is melted?
Fay says
When melted down, it will be about 1/2 to 3/4 of a cup.
Theresa says
Help me understand why we need to nuke the gelato?
Fay says
Hi Theresa! Makes it easier to mix in. Just melt it to soften, don’t heat it. If it’s added frozen without melting it will begin to harden the butter and you’ll get lumpy buttercream.