This light and fluffy vanilla buttercream frosting is sweet and rich, the perfect addition to any cake you make!
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This is one of those frosting recipes that I love to just eat by the spoon. It’s seriously that good. The richness of the butter and cream makes it smooth and perfect for topping a Spring carrot cake or other sweets like brownies. It could even be used as a filling.
My favorite part of this recipe is how easy it is to mix up with just a handful of basic ingredients. You’ll never feel the need to get store-bought frosting again. If you have a loved one’s birthday coming up or any other celebration, I’d highly recommend whipping up a bowl of this vanilla buttercream frosting!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick recipe: It comes together quickly and easily using a stand or electric mixer. You won’t ever want to buy frosting from the store again!
- Perfect frosting for decorating: Its pale, creamy color is the perfect canvas for adding sprinkles and other decorations.
- Fun flavors: It can be flavored in countless ways—vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, lemon, coffee, and more.
Recipe Ingredients
- Butter — a high-quality butter works best
- Heavy cream
- Vanilla — try using simple homemade vanilla
- Powdered sugar
For the exact amounts needed, please see the recipe card below.
How To Make Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
Step 1: Add the butter and cream to the bowl of your stand mixer and mix. Add the vanilla and powdered sugar. Mix on low until combined.
Step 2: The frosting should be a medium consistency.
Step 3: Place in an icing bag and pipe on the cupcakes with tip 2A.
Step 4: Decorate and serve.
Recipe FAQs
A little softening is unavoidable if you’re serving cakes or cupcakes in the heat of a toasty summer day outside, but not to the point of sliding off baked goods.
As a precaution, I recommend storing the cupcakes or cake in a fridge or cooler until you’re ready to serve it! It’ll taste fresher this way, too.
You can make vanilla buttercream frosting 3 to 4 days ahead of time before you need to ice a cake or cupcakes.
Buttercream frosting can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days before you need to use it. Before using the frosting, allow it to come to room temperature and mix it with a whisk to soften it.
Yes! You can customize your buttercream by adding food coloring and flavor extracts (like almond, lemon, or peppermint). Just make sure to mix thoroughly.
Expert Tips
- Storing: You can leave a cake or cupcakes dressed with buttercream frosting at room temperature covered overnight and they will be fine.
- Storing in the fridge: Allow it to come to room temperature and mix it with a whisk to soften before using.
- Thicken the frosting: If it is too thin, add more powdered sugar until it thickens.
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Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter (room temperature)
- 3 to 4 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 2.5 to 3 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Add the butter and cream to the bowl of your stand mixer. Mix on medium speed with the whisk attachment until the butter and cream combine.
- Increase the speed to high, and mix for 3 to 5 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy, stopping to scrape down the sides a time or two.
- Add the vanilla and 2.5 cups of the powdered sugar. Mix on low until combined, and then increase speed to medium and whip for 1 to 2 minutes.
- The consistency of the icing is important if you are going to pile it high on a cupcake. It should be a medium consistency. If you mix the batch of icing with a metal teaspoon (the kind you use for dinner) it should stand up straight in the middle of the bowl when it is in the icing. So, you should be able to stir it with a spoon by hand but it should also be sturdy enough to hold the spoon up. If the icing is too thick, add a little cream. If it needs to be a little thicker, add a ¼ cup of powdered sugar and whip to combine until it's sturdy enough.
- Place in an icing bag and pipe on the cupcakes with tip 2A.
Notes
- This makes enough for 10 to 12 heavily frosted bakery-style cupcakes.
- If you mix the batch of icing with a metal teaspoon (the kind you use for dinner), it should stand up straight in the middle of the bowl when it is in the icing.
- Vanilla buttercream frosting is an adaptable base. It can be easily customized by adding different flavors, such as chocolate or strawberry!
- This frosting has a smooth, creamy consistency, perfect for piping. This makes it ideal for decorating cakes, cupcakes, and other baked goods.
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