This rich and creamy frosting is insanely easy to make for any and all of your cake, cookie, and cupcake frosting needs!
* This post was updated with new photos and more detailed instructions. The recipe was also tweaked to yield more frosting 🙂
This is my absolute favorite recipe for vanilla buttercream. It's not only easy with very few steps involved, but it comes out wonderfully (and not to mention quickly) every time.
I mean it feels like I'm eating a cloud, which isn't great for my portion control. But that's another problem for another day!
Another reason I love this recipe is because I find this buttercream is best for piping. It really holds it's shape well, so you can use it to pipe anything from just a simple swirl on top of vanilla cupcakes to outstanding decorations on towering cakes.
I can't decorate to save my life ... so I'll stick to simple.
How to make buttercream frosting: step by step photos:
1. Cream butter until fluffy.
2. Add sugar and cream again to dissolve.
3. .Mix in remaining ingredients (milk/cream, salt, & vanilla), and whip until light and fluffy! Start off with 2 tablespoons of milk/heavy cream, and gradually add more if your buttercream seems too dry. Not all powdered sugars are the same, so you may or may not need more liquid to get the right consistency!
Heavy cream vs milk in buttercream:
Just a quick note I wanted to make when it comes to the liquid you add to thin your frosting. This recipe calls for heavy cream, but you can definitely use milk instead!
Since milk has a thinner consistency than cream, you should start with 1 tablespoon and add more as needed to get your desired frosting thickness. Frosting made with heavy cream tends to be richer and fluffier, while frosting made with milk is usually denser.
Be careful when adding liquid though. When buttercream is too runny, it can be a bit difficult to re-thicken it. It's always easier to add liquid!
Buttercream Frosting Storage:
Buttercream frosting will keep in the fridge for around 5 days. Before you want to use it, make sure you let it come to room temperature and give it a light mix to make it easier to work with. If you find the buttercream is too solid, add a splash of cream or milk and mix to loosen.
Can buttercream be frozen?
Yes! You can definitely freeze buttercream. Transfer it to a freezer safe, airtight container and freeze. Buttercream lasts in the freezer for up to 2 months. Before using, defrost completely and bring it up to room temperature.
Tools to help with your buttercream making (affiliate links):
• a piping bag and tip are helpful when piping some fancier designs. I just got and started using the Wilton Cupcake Decorating Icing Tips. I'm outrageously excited because piping tips have been on my wishlist since FOREVER!!
• if you plan on spreading your icing on cupcakes or cake, an offset spatula is a huge help! The Wilton Angled Spatula comes in 2 sizes (depending on what you plan on using it for)
If you liked this vanilla buttercream, check out some of these similar recipes!
• simple powdered sugar icing/glaze
• chocolate ganache
• small batch chocolate buttercream
• vanilla pastry cream
• vanilla cupcakes
• chocolate cupcakes
Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 & ½ cups of frosting (approx.)
Description
This rich and creamy frosting is insanely easy to make for any and all of your cake, cookie, and cupcake frosting needs!
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks / 225g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 4 cups (520g) powdered sugar, sifted * see notes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 to 6 tablespoons milk or heavy cream ** see notes
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Add your unsalted butter to a large mixing bowl. Using a stand mixer or handheld mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, cream the butter on high speed for 2 to 3 minutes, or until it lightens in color and fluffs up slightly. (You can also do this by hand, but it'll be quite the workout!)
- Add your powdered sugar to the butter and mix on low to incorporate. Once you no longer see dry sugar, cream the butter and sugar together on high speed for 2 minutes to dissolve the sugar well.
- Add your salt, 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream, and vanilla. Whip the mixture for another 1 to 2 minutes on high speed, or until it's light and fluffy. Take care not to over mix if using heavy cream as it can turn grainy. Mix in more milk/cream as needed to get your desired consistency.
Pipe, spread, or spoon frosting on any dessert you like!
Equipment
Buy Now → Notes
* While it still tastes great regardless, sifting is an important step to help you get a smooth buttercream.
** You can substitute the heavy cream for milk if you prefer. Since milk has a thinner consistency than cream, you should start with 1 tablespoon and add more as needed to get your desired consistency. Frosting made with heavy cream tends to be richer and fluffier, while frosting made with milk is usually denser and almost fudgier (yum, and yum!)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
Enjoy!
Kathleen Groezinger says
And how about food gel
Kathleen Groezinger says
How much will it take to do 100 cupcakes
Mimi says
Hi Kathleen! This recipe makes enough to frost about 12-16 cupcakes (it will vary depending on how generous you want the frosting to be!) You can usually stretch it out to 20 cupcakes if you do a thinner layer. I'm not too sure how much you'd need exactly for 100 cupcakes but I'd say you'd need at least 5-6 batches. Food coloring is totally fine to mix in but the amount would be up to you (depending on how bright you want the color to be) - I would just start small and add gradually at the end until you reach your desired color. I hope that helps! ❤️
Amber says
Wow!!! I’ve been trying for years to make these. I had problems with every recipe I tried. Decided to give it a last go… these turned out great!!! Thank you!!
Mimi says
Thank YOU for your sweet review!! I'm so happy you liked it!!! ❤️
Caitlin says
Delicious! We loved this recipe. Could I add in gel food coloring when adding the vanilla and milk?
Mimi says
Hey Caitlin! I'm so happy you liked it! For sure, you can add gel food coloring with the vanilla and milk, or even at the very end if you decided you wanted more color. 🙂
Erika Henderson says
How many cupcakes will this frost?
Mimi says
Hi Erika! You can VERY generously frost 6 cupcakes with this recipe, or lightly frost 12 cupcakes 🙂
Sharon Hudson says
I was wondering if I could use can coconut milk in place of regular milk
Mimi says
Hey Sharon! You most definitely can use coconut milk instead. The measurements will stay the exact same 🙂
Lynda says
My new favorite buttercream! I used it for a small family wedding cake today and it worked beautifully for fancy piping and tastes great. I love that it’s not too sweet
Mimi says
Hi Lynda! I'm so glad you liked it! Congratulations to the newlyweds ❤️
Michele says
Can I add lemon juice and zest to this recipe?
Mimi says
For sure! You can swap out the milk/heavy cream for an equal amount of lemon juice. Then add however much zest you like to taste 🙂