This is the best vanilla buttercream frosting recipe that takes just 5 minutes to make and uses simple ingredients. It results in a smooth, creamy, and perfect buttercream that any beginner or home baker can make. Use it to top your favorite vanilla cupcakes and birthday cakes!
This is hands down the only vanilla buttercream recipe you need! All it requires is 4 ingredients, 5 minutes of prep, and then you have an American vanilla buttercream that you can use on any and all of your favorite cakes and cupcakes.
It is truly so simple to make frosting at home. Please, do not buy that store-bought frosting when you can easily make this smooth, rich, and fluffy frosting in your own kitchen.
The flavor of vanilla offers a blank canvas that you can pair with so many different flavors. You can use this frosting on chocolate cupcakes, white funfetti cupcakes, and even on these psl cupcakes.
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As a home baker, I have several years under my belt of creating and recipe testing great frosting recipes. Not only will this simple vanilla buttercream frosting allow you to frost and decorate numerous desserts, but so will this chocolate buttercream. Now you have two go-to icing recipes!
You can use this frosting recipe to pipe onto cupcakes, frost a layer cake, or even on your homemade brownies.
I've used this vanilla frosting as a base recipe for other flavored buttercreams, like Oreo frosting and even this coffee flavored frosting. Get ready for this to become your new favorite buttercream!
Ingredients Needed
Here are some notes on the ingredients we'll be using. For the full ingredients list, look at the recipe card below.
- Unsalted Butter: Room temperature butter is a must when making American buttercream.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: This helps to create a creamy texture. If needed, you could also use heavy cream or milk.
- Vanilla: Use a good quality vanilla extract. This is the main flavor of the frosting, so please avoid imitation vanilla.
Instructions
Here are the step by step instructions on how to make this classic vanilla buttercream frosting.
Step 1: Cream the butter. In the large bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment (you could also use a hand mixer), beat the butter together on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy.
Step 2: Add the other ingredients. Add the powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream, and vanilla extract and mix on low speed until combined.
Step 3: Increase speed. Then, increase the speed to high and beat for another 1-2 minutes until smooth and creamy.
Pro Tip! Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl using a rubber spatula after every step to ensure that all of the ingredients have incorporated properly.
Storage Tips
If you plan on using this frosting within 1-2 days, you can keep it stored in an airtight container on the counter. You could also keep it in a piping bag if you plan on using it for cupcakes. I do this all the time when I plan on frosting cupcakes the very next day!
Otherwise, you can keep it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Just pull it out at least 30 minutes before you want to use it so it's not cold.
You could also rewhip it in a bowl of an electric mixer for 30 seconds to make it light and fluffy again.
Expert Baking Tips
- Room Temperature: The butter needs to be at room temperature in order to create the perfect consistency of buttercream frosting. If you start with cold butter, you'll have a difficult time getting the frosting to come together.
- Vanilla: In order to get the best vanilla flavor possible, please use pure vanilla extract. You could also use vanilla bean paste.
- Baked Desserts: Make sure any dessert you use this frosting on is completely cooled before frosting. If not, the frosting will melt right off.
Ways To Use This Frosting
This recipe makes enough to frost 12 cupcakes (one dozen).
Having a good vanilla buttercream can add even more depth of flavored to baked goods. I recommend using it on this small vanilla cake, mini chocolate cake, and even on Oreo cupcakes.
If you want to layer a cake with it, I recommend 1.5x the recipe for any 2 or 3 layered cake. If making a sheet cake, there's no need to make extra!
With a one layer cake, cut the recipe in half (unless you want extra frosting).
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely not. To me, it doesn't make a difference in the consistency of the frosting, so I don't waste my time doing it.
It's finely ground white sugar that is most commonly used in frostings, icings, and glazes. It's also called icing sugar or powdered sugar.
Yes, and it's really easy too! Choose your favorite gel or liquid food coloring. Start with just a little and add more if you need to.
If you made this recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below. I love hearing from you! Also, please tag me on Instagram and check out my Pinterest for even more recipe ideas.
It brings me so much joy to see you make my recipes. 🙂
Happy baking!
More Frosting Recipes
📖 Recipe
The Best Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
Equipment
- Electric Stand Mixer
- Rubber Spatula
- Piping Bag
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions:
- In the bowl of an electric stand mixer using the paddle attachment, beat the butter on high speed until creamy (about 1-2 minutes).
- Add the powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream, and vanilla extract and mix on low speed until combined (about 30 seconds).
- Then increase the speed to high and beat for another 1-2 minutes (frosting should be light and creamy).
- Use it to frost your favorite cupcakes and cake recipes!
I love how simple this recipe is and how the vanilla flavor really shines! This is definitely my go-to vanilla frosting recipe!