Charlotte is a classic buttercream made with milk and eggs. It's very popular among pastry chefs and home cooks. This buttercream is delicious, holds its shape well, and is easy to make. Charlotte is perfect for layering cakes and creating 3D decorations. Experimenting with different flavors allows you to create a variety of flavors. Be sure to try one of the variations below!

Recipe with step-by-step photos

Classic Charlotte cream

Pastry chefs use this recipe to make a variety of desserts. Classic Charlotte frosting is very stable and versatile, perfect for decorating cakes, cupcakes, filling pie crusts, eclairs, profiteroles, and tarts.
Nutritional value per serving
154 kcal
  • Proteins: 4 g
  • Fats: 3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 70 g
*Nutritional value is calculated per 100g of ingredients
  • Total time:
  • Complexity:
    It will work even if you're making it for the first time. Not just this dish, but your first time ever.
  • Number of servings: 1

Ingredients

Servings
  • Milk
    150 G
  • Egg C1
    1 pcs
  • Sugar
    200 G
  • Butter
    250 G

Preparation

Step 1

We collect all the necessary products.

Step 2

Pour the egg into a saucepan with a thick bottom and mix thoroughly with a whisk.

Step 3

Gradually add milk, stirring until smooth.

Step 4

Pour in all the sugar and mix the resulting mixture well.

Step 5

Place the saucepan with the milk and egg mixture over low heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook until the mixture reaches the consistency of condensed milk.

Step 6

Pour the prepared syrup into a small bowl, cover with cling film and leave to cool to room temperature.

Step 7

Using a mixer, beat the softened butter until fluffy.

Step 8

Add the cooled milk-egg mixture to the butter in small portions and continue whisking.

Step 9

The result should be a thick, white, shiny cream that holds its shape well.

Charlotte cream according to USSR GOST

The USSR GOST-compliant Charlotte cream recipe was used in the legendary Kyiv cake. Precise adherence to the proportions and technology guarantees a perfect result. This cream is made exclusively from natural ingredients—butter and custard syrup—with vanilla sugar and cognac as a flavoring.

Ingredients

  • Milk 3.2% – 150 ml
  • Egg – 1 pc.
  • Sugar – 150 g
  • Butter 82% – 225 g
  • Cognac – 1 tbsp.
  • Salt - a pinch
  • Vanilla sugar – 10 g

Cooking time: 40-60 minutes

Servings: 1

Step-by-step recipe

Step 1

We collect the necessary ingredients.

Recipe - Charlotte Cream according to USSR GOST - Step 1

Step 2

In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, mix the egg, sugar, salt and vanilla sugar.

Recipe - Charlotte Cream according to USSR GOST - Step 2

Step 3

Add milk to the resulting mixture. Mix thoroughly until a homogeneous mass is formed.

Recipe - Charlotte Cream according to USSR GOST - Step 3

Step 4

Place the saucepan on the stove over low heat. Bring the cream to a boil, stirring constantly to prevent it from burning or forming lumps. Cook for 7-10 minutes until thickened.

Recipe - Charlotte Cream according to USSR GOST - Step 4
Recipe - Charlotte Cream according to USSR GOST - Step 4-2

Step 5

Pour the cream into a small bowl and cover with cling film. Let cool to room temperature.

Recipe - Charlotte Cream according to USSR GOST - Step 5

Step 6

Beat the softened (but not melted) butter with a whisk or mixer until fluffy and slightly white.

Recipe - Charlotte Cream according to USSR GOST - Step 6
Recipe - Charlotte Cream according to USSR GOST - step 6-2

Step 7

Gradually add the cooled egg-milk mixture to the butter and continue whisking. It's important that the temperatures of both mixtures be approximately the same to prevent the cream from separating.

Recipe - Charlotte Cream according to USSR GOST - Step 7

Step 8

At the last stage, add cognac to the whipped mixture and mix everything well again.

The result is a fluffy, smooth, glossy and very stable cream.

Recipe - Charlotte Cream according to USSR GOST - Step 8
Recipe - Charlotte Cream according to USSR GOST - step 8-2

Charlotte cream for sponge cake

Sponge cake layers are versatile and pair beautifully with any frosting. I suggest trying a sponge cake paired with Charlotte cocoa cream. This combination is sure to please anyone with a sweet tooth, especially children.

Ingredients:

  • Egg yolks – 6 pcs.
  • Sugar – 150 g
  • Vanilla sugar – 10 g
  • Milk – 180 ml
  • Butter – 200 g
  • Cognac (orange juice) – 15 ml
  • Cocoa – 1-2 tbsp.
  • Salt – 1 pinch

Cooking time: 40-60 minutes

Servings: 1

Step-by-step recipe

Step 1

We collect the necessary products.

Recipe - Charlotte Cream for Sponge Cake - Step 1

Step 2

Place the egg yolks, sugar, vanilla sugar, and salt in a deep bowl. Mix and beat with a mixer until smooth and light.

Recipe - Charlotte Cream for Sponge Cake - Step 2
Recipe - Charlotte Cream for Sponge Cake - Step 2-2
Recipe - Charlotte Cream for Sponge Cake - Steps 2-3

Step 3

Without stopping whisking, add milk in a thin stream to the resulting mixture.

Recipe - Charlotte Cream for Sponge Cake - Step 3

Step 4

Add the cocoa. It's best to sift it through a fine sieve to avoid lumps. Mix thoroughly: first with a spoon, then with a mixer.

Recipe - Charlotte Cream for Sponge Cake - Step 4

Step 5

Pour the mixture into a heavy-bottomed saucepan and place it on the stove. Cook the syrup over low heat, stirring constantly. When the syrup thickens, it's ready.

Recipe - Charlotte Cream for Sponge Cake - Step 5
Recipe - Charlotte Cream for Sponge Cake - Step 5-2

Step 6

Pour the mixture into a deep plate, cover with plastic wrap and leave to cool to room temperature.

Recipe - Charlotte Cream for Sponge Cake - Step 6

Step 7

Beat butter heated to room temperature with a mixer until a fluffy, thick, white mass forms.

Recipe - Charlotte Cream for Sponge Cake - Step 7
Recipe - Charlotte Cream for Sponge Cake - Step 7-2

Step 8

Gradually, in small portions, add the egg-milk syrup to the butter and continue whisking. The result is a delicious and beautiful cream that can complement any dessert!

Recipe - Charlotte Cream for Sponge Cake - Step 8
Recipe - Charlotte Cream for Sponge Cake - Step 8-2
Recipe - Charlotte Cream for Sponge Cake - Step 8-3

Charlotte cream for Napoleon cake

This Charlotte cream recipe will be a wonderful addition to classic Napoleon cake layers.

Ingredients:

  • Eggs – 7 pcs. (or 14 yolks)
  • Milk – 375 ml
  • Sugar – 350 g
  • Butter – 500 g
  • Vanilla sugar – 10 g

Cooking time: 40-60 minutes

Servings: 1

Step-by-step recipe

Step 1

We collect the necessary ingredients.

Recipe - Charlotte Cream for Napoleon Cake - Step 1

Step 2

Pour milk into a thick-bottomed saucepan, add sugar and, after mixing well, place on the stove over low heat and bring to a boil.

Recipe - Charlotte Cream for Napoleon Cake - Step 2

Step 3

Separately, using a mixer or whisk, beat the eggs.

Recipe - Charlotte Cream for Napoleon Cake - Step 3

Step 4

Gently add the boiling milk mixture to the eggs, stirring continuously.

Recipe - Charlotte Cream for Napoleon Cake - Step 4

Step 5

Return the syrup to the saucepan and place it over medium heat. Stir constantly until the syrup thickens. Do not boil. Remove the syrup from the heat, cover with plastic wrap, and let it cool to room temperature.

Recipe - Charlotte Cream for Napoleon Cake - Step 5

Step 6

Add vanilla sugar to the softened butter and beat with a mixer until white.

Recipe - Charlotte Cream for Napoleon Cake - Step 6

Step 7

Once the milk syrup has cooled completely, fold it into the whipped butter, a little at a time. Beat until fluffy and creamy!

Recipe - Charlotte Cream for Napoleon Cake - Step 7
Recipe - Charlotte Cream for Napoleon Cake - Step 7-2

Chocolate cream "Charlotte"

This Charlotte cream recipe will appeal to all chocolate lovers. It's characterized by the sweetness of the buttercream, which is beautifully offset by the bitter flavor of dark chocolate.

Ingredients:

  • Butter – 400 g
  • Eggs – 2 pcs.
  • Sugar – 360 g
  • Milk – 240 ml
  • Dark chocolate – 100-200 g

Cooking time: 40-60 minutes

Servings: 1

Step-by-step recipe:

Step 1

Pour milk and sugar into a small saucepan. Stir thoroughly and place on the stove over low heat.

Recipe - Chocolate Charlotte Cream - Step 1

Step 2

In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until smooth.

Recipe - Chocolate Charlotte Cream - Step 2
Recipe - Chocolate Charlotte Cream - Step 2-1

Step 3

Gradually, in small portions, while stirring constantly, pour the boiling milk into the eggs.

Recipe - Chocolate Charlotte Cream - Step 3

Step 4

Return the milk and egg mixture to the saucepan. Cook the syrup over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens. Remove the syrup from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.

Recipe - Chocolate Charlotte Cream - Step 4

Step 5

Beat the softened butter with a mixer until white.

Recipe - Chocolate Charlotte Cream - Step 5
Recipe - Chocolate Charlotte Cream - Step 5-2

Step 6

Gradually add the cooled custard mixture to the butter, a little at a time, and continue whisking. Once the entire egg-milk mixture has been incorporated into the butter, the cream is ready.

Recipe - Chocolate Charlotte Cream - Step 6

Step 7

Melt the dark chocolate, cool it to room temperature, and add it to the cream. Beat with a mixer.

Recipe - Chocolate Charlotte Cream - Step 7
Recipe - Chocolate Charlotte Cream - Step 7-2

Charlotte cream with condensed milk

This delicate cream is perfect for any dessert. It's easy to make with just the simplest ingredients.

Ingredients:

  • Condensed milk – 150 g
  • Egg yolks – 2 pcs.
  • Butter 80% – 200 g
  • Water – 100 g
  • Cocoa – 1 tbsp.
  • Vanilla sugar – 10 g
  • Corn starch - 1 tbsp.

Cooking time: 40-60 minutes

Servings: 1

Step-by-step recipe:

Step 1

We collect the necessary ingredients.

Recipe - Charlotte Cream with Condensed Milk - Step 1

Step 2

Prepare the syrup for the cream: mix water, egg yolks, vanilla sugar, condensed milk and corn starch in a saucepan.

Recipe - Charlotte Cream with Condensed Milk - Step 2

Step 3

Place the mixture on the stove and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. Remove the syrup from the stove and let it cool to room temperature.

Recipe - Charlotte Cream with Condensed Milk - Step 3

Step 4

Beat the softened butter with a mixer until white.

Recipe - Charlotte Cream with Condensed Milk - Step 4
Recipe - Charlotte Cream with Condensed Milk - Step 4-2

Step 5

Gradually add the cooled syrup to the butter and continue whisking.

Recipe - Charlotte Cream with Condensed Milk - Step 5

Step 6

To give the cream an interesting chocolate flavor, you can add cocoa. Add cocoa powder and mix well until smooth.

Charlotte butter cream with condensed milk and cocoa is ready!

Recipe - Charlotte Cream with Condensed Milk - Step 6

Charlotte cream for decorating cakes and cupcakes

Thanks to its elasticity, ability to hold its shape and be evenly colored even with ordinary water-soluble dyes, Charlotte cream is ideal for decorating confectionery products.

Ingredients:

  • Eggs – 2 pcs (or 6 yolks)
  • Sugar – 420 g
  • Vanilla sugar – 8 g
  • Milk 3.5% - 300 ml
  • Butter – 500 g
  • Rum essence – a few drops (or 1 tbsp. cognac)
  • Food grade water-soluble gel coloring of the desired color – a few drops

Cooking time: 40-60 minutes

Servings: 1

Step-by-step recipe:

Step 1

We prepare the necessary products.

Recipe - Charlotte Buttercream for Cake and Cupcake Decorating - Step 1

Step 2

Pour the milk into a heavy-bottomed saucepan, add the sugar, and stir well. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly. Bring the milk syrup to a boil and cook for 2 minutes.

Recipe - Charlotte Buttercream for Cake and Cupcake Decorating - Step 2
Recipe - Charlotte Frosting for Cake and Cupcake Decorating - Step 2-2

Step 3

Mix the yolks thoroughly. Remove the prepared milk syrup from the heat and pour it into the egg mixture in a thin stream, stirring constantly.

Recipe - Charlotte Buttercream for Cake and Cupcake Decorating - Step 3

Step 4

Return the egg-milk mixture to the saucepan. Place over low heat. Stirring constantly, bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 2-3 minutes until thickened and large bubbles form.

Recipe - Charlotte Buttercream for Cake and Cupcake Decorating - Step 4
Recipe - Charlotte Buttercream for Cake and Cupcake Decorating - Step 4-2

Step 5

Pour the prepared custard mixture into a small bowl, cover with cling film and leave to cool to room temperature.

Recipe - Charlotte Buttercream for Cake and Cupcake Decorating - Step 5

Step 6

Beat the softened butter thoroughly with a mixer until it turns white and forms a fluffy mass.

Recipe - Charlotte Buttercream for Cake and Cupcake Decorating - Step 6
Recipe - Charlotte Buttercream for Cake and Cupcake Decorating - Step 6-2

Step 7

Pour the egg-milk mixture into the butter in small portions and continue whisking.

Recipe - Charlotte Frosting for Cake and Cupcake Decorating - Step 7

Step 8

Once all ingredients are mixed until smooth, add rum essence or cognac. Mix well.

Recipe - Charlotte Buttercream for Cake and Cupcake Decorating - Step 8

Step 9

The frosting holds its shape perfectly. A pastry bag makes it easy to pipe frosting to decorate cupcakes. If desired, the frosting can be easily colored, even with water-soluble food coloring: add a few drops of coloring to the frosting and stir with a spoon. Now, let's begin shaping the decorations.

Recipe - Charlotte Buttercream for Cake and Cupcake Decorating - Step 9
Recipe - Charlotte Buttercream for Cake and Cupcake Decorating - Step 9-2
Recipe - Charlotte Frosting for Cake and Cupcake Decorating - Step 9-3
Recipe - Charlotte Frosting for Cake and Cupcake Decorating - Steps 9-4