Classic, versatile, delicious vanilla buttercream frosting! The ideal frosting for cakes, cookies, cupcakes can be colored, sprinkled, piped, and decorated to complete your sweet, perfectly.
Classic Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Recipe
I use this recipe to frost cakes and cookies. It is basically fool-proof. I have been making this recipe for over 35 years, and it has yet to fail me. I hope you enjoy it too!
Tips for Making this Classic Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Recipe:
● I love this frosting! Not only does it taste great, but it is also easy to work with. If it stiffens up on you, you can just beat it again a few times, or whip it aggressively with a spatula or fork.
● If you require a stiffer frosting, add more confections sugar in ½ cup increments. If you need a thinner frosting, add more milk in tablespoon increments.
● You can add a few drops of food coloring to make a colored frosting. This is what I do for cookies! You can divide up the frosting to make various colors.
● Make certain your cookies and cakes are completely cooled before frosting to avoid the frosting melting.
● For my UK and Australian friends: confectioners sugar is icing sugar (powdered sugar, 10x).
● Interested in making your own vanilla extract? Click here to learn how to make vanilla extract!
● This is with 3 drops of yellow food coloring added. You can add just a few drops for a light color, or up to a dozen drops for a deeper color. This is great for frosting the entire cake, or for piping to decorate the cake.
● This recipe yields enough to generously frost a 13″x9″ cake, or double the recipe to generously frost a layer cake.
If you like homemade frosting you will want to try this Chocolate Beer Frosting Recipe and this Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Classic Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Recipe Ingredients:
● ½ cup unsalted Butter, softened
● 2½ cups Confectioners Sugar, sifted
● 2 TBSP Milk
● 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
Classic Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Mise en Place:
● Measuring Cup
● Measuring Spoon
● Stand Mixer, bowl and beaters.
● Spatula
● Sifter
Classic Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Recipe Directions:
1. Using a stand-up mixer, beat butter until creamy on medium speed.
2. Gradually add half of the confectioners sugar; beat until well mixed.
3. Add 1 tablespoon of milk; beat until well mixed.
4. Gradually add the rest of your confectioner sugar; beat until well mixed.
5. Add vanilla extract, and remaining milk.
6. Beat for 2 minutes.
7. Note: if you require a stiffer frosting, add more confections sugar in 1/2 cup increments. If you need a thinner frosting, add more milk in tablespoon increments. You can add a few drops of food coloring to make the colored frosting.
8. Always frost completely cooled baked goods so your frosting does not melt on application.
Classic Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Recipe
Classic, versatile, delicious vanilla buttercream frosting! The ideal frosting for cakes, cookies, cupcakes can be colored, sprinkled, piped, and decorated to complete your sweet, perfectly.
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted Butter, softened
- 2½ cups Confectioners Sugar, sifted
- 2 TBSP Milk
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- Using a stand-up mixer, beat butter until creamy on medium speed.
- Gradually add half of the confectioners' sugar; beat until well mixed.
- Add 1 tablespoon of milk; beat until well mixed.
- Gradually add the rest of your confectioners' sugar; beat until well mixed.
- Add vanilla extract, and remaining milk.
- Beat for 2 minutes.
- Note: if you require a stiffer frosting, add more confections sugar in 1/2 cup increments. If you need a thinner frosting, add more milk in tablespoon increments. You can add a few drops of food coloring to make colored frosting.
- Always frost completely cooled baked goods so your frosting does not melt on application.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 80Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 1mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 0gSugar: 11gProtein: 0g
Note: for exact nutritional information, consult your dietitian. All nutritional information provided is simply a guideline.
● For more Recipes on Ann’s Entitled Life, click here.
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Shell says
Don’t you wonder why people buy frosting when it is so easy and so much better?
Ann says
Agreed, Shell.
Ann
Jenny says
Is this type of buttercream also good for cake decorating vs using the Wilton buttercream recipe?
Ann says
Yes, Jenny. This is exactly the type of buttercream frosting you want to use for decorating. While I am not familiar with Wilton’s recipe, I am sure it is also very good for decorating… it is after all what they do.
Ann
Jenny says
Wilton’s recipe takes vegetable shortening sticks
Marybeth says
I do not like canned frosting! I sometimes use almond flavoring instead of vanilla. Really good.
LunaRip420 says
I just started making my own not long ago and it is most definitely better… 😄🙌
Debbi says
I made this one time it was so sweet it made my teeth hurt 🙁 never again!!
Tripti says
While making this frosting.. Though using confectioners sugar and sifted twice , bits is sugar remain.
Please help
Jake says
I put this on my cookies and it was way better than the store bought stuff I used to use thank you so much for posting this recipe. 🎂🍪🍩
Ann says
I am glad you liked it, Jake!
Ann
Celine says
OMG…this is so rich and yummy! My daughter and I were licking the beaters clean after making this!
Ann says
I am so glad you both enjoyed it, Celine.
Ann
Pamela says
I only needed a small amount of frosting to frost a batch of brownies. This recipe is very good tasting and I am glad it only uses butter. Thank you .
Andrea says
try adding some powdered meringue!!!
Sandra says
Is this enough for 24 cupcakes?
Dawn says
This turned out perfect!