Ok, this may hit a sore spot with some of you out there, but I have a genuine problem. The buttercream recipes that I've found all seem to be too sweet for my liking and that of my clients. I have tried a few different versions and also upping the salt to cut the sweetness. I have had icing from some grocery stores and it doesn't seem as sweet, more like a whipping cream taste. I don't think it is really whipped cream because it sits are room temp and doesn't act like it either.

Can anyone out there direct me to a much less sweet cake/cupcake icing or something more like the grocery store kind?

Thanks...Nadine

Some grocery stores us Rich's Bettercreme. It's non-dairy so it can sit out longer than whipped cream can without breaking down. My clients like it because it isn't as sweet as buttercream. Sam's bakery department sells it and also Maines Party Source if you are in an area they are in.

Thanks for your reply. I'm not from the US so I don't even recognize those names. I was hoping that someone had a recipe I could use. If not I'll just keep trying some of my own concoctions. Any other help greatly appreciated!!

You could always try an IMBC. It's a silky smooth icing that has no powdered sugar in it. Just make sure you add lots of vanilla (if going with that flavor) to cover the butter taste. But it is an amazing icing that people like when they don't like ABC. It's actually pretty easy to do, as long as your very careful.

You may want to try Charlotte's Whipped Buttercream recipe on this site. I don't think that it's overly sweet, and the texture of this icing is very smooth but light, like you are talking about. HTH!

I would Google Sugar Shack Butter cream Recipe. It has vegetable shortening instead of butter and less powdered sugar is used.

This is a really light whipped type buttercream. I like that it doesn't leave you with that greasy mouthfeel like a lot of grocery store bakery bc icings do.

Whimsical Bakehouse House Buttercream

In Mixer bowl, stir together:

2 lbs. Confectioners' Sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Using whip attachment, add and whip on low speed:

1 cup boiling water (3/4 cup on hot/humid days) *I always start w/ 3/4 cup, then add more later as needed.
Whip until smooth and is cool.

Add and whip until smooth again:

2 3/4 cup Hi-Ratio or regular vegetable shortening
1 1/2 sticks (6 oz.) butter;
slightly chilled and cut into 1" pieces

Turn up mixer to medium-high. Whip until double in volume and is light and fluffy. About 15-20 minutes. Recipe will almost fill a 5-quart mixer bowl when done. *I usually mix it about 3-4 minutes then stop and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl really well, then let it go the rest of the time.

Makes 9 1/2 cups