Easy Buttercream Frosting
This Easy Buttercream Frosting is so easy and tastes a million times better than any frosting you can buy at the store! Seriously, try it and you won’t go back to store bought kind, I promise!
The other day I posted a fun recipe for Mason Jar Rainbow Cake. I made them for my husband’s birthday and he and our son loved them! They are great little treats and even more awesome because they are made in the perfectly fun and functional mason jar! I decided that I wanted to try my hand at a homemade buttercream recipe to top them off with and I’m excited to share that recipe with you today!
This recipe is so easy and tastes a million times better than any frosting you can buy at the store! Seriously, try it and you won’t go back to store bought kind, I promise!
I wanted a simple and yummy buttercream frosting for my Rainbow Cakes, and this makes the perfect vanilla frosting. You could probably add some cocoa powder to it though if you’re looking for chocolate buttercream!
We’ve been busy around here setting up our new house and are finally done with our move! I hate moving, just for the record! At least we should be here in this house for a couple more years, so we can settle in a bit. I have to admit that it’s nice to be back living on post. Tons of kids for my son to play with, neighbors are always friendly (almost always:)), and our street has had a baby boom of baby girls, apparently! There are FIVE baby girls on our street of 12 houses, all under the age of 10 months! So I’m excited for my little sweetie (who will be seven months this weekend!) to have some built-in playmates and friends. 🙂
Hope all of you have a wonderful week ahead, and enjoy some buttercream!
Easy Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 tablespoons shortening
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Beat butter and shortening together with an electric mixer in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
- The mixture should be noticeably lighter in color. I let mine beat for quite awhile.
- Beat the vanilla extract into the butter mixture. Add sugar, one cup at a time, beating on medium speed until fully incorporated.
- Add milk, one tablespoon at a time, beating on medium speed until fully incorporated and frosting is nice and smooth.
Notes
If you like this Easy Buttercream Frosting, then you might also like:
Buttermilk Chocolate Cupcakes with Whipped Ganache Frosting
PERFECT!!! I subbed avocado oil for the butter and it worked too. New favorite! Also made your simple vanilla smash cake into 2 6″ pans. So so yummy. I added sprinkles to make it funfetti. Thanks!
hi, how long is “awhile” to beat the shortening and butter so it’s light enough? thanks!
Usually about 4-5 minutes!
Thanks for posting this recipe! Looking forward to trying this for my baby’s 1st birthday. Can I make this ahead of time and keep in the fridge before using or the frosting needs to be used immediately (if frosting a cake)? Thank you much!
Yes you can make ahead and refrigerate until you’re ready to eat it! I do recommend taking the cake out of the fridge for at least 30 minutes to soften slightly. Happy birthday to your little one!
We loved it! It worked so well for decorating with the piping bag, and the flavour was great! We used vegetable shortening (Crisco) and it still turned out so flavourful! My daughter and I decorated the cupcakes the night before the party, kept them in the fridge all night, and then left them on the counter for about 1-2 hours before serving them and they were fantastic! The cream is temperamental in certain temperature (cool temp the icing is hard, slightly warm and it starts to melt) but this is true with most buttercreams. This is by far the easiest one I’ve seen and it got so many compliments. I was afraid I’d have too many leftover cupcakes, and we wound up not having enough. Thank you!!!
What do i add to make it different colors, like green?
You can just add food coloring. I like the Wilton gel food coloring for the best colors.
I just used your recipe to make my first ever cake, as my daughter turned 1 yesterday. We had her party today—the cake was a hit! Thank you so much.
This looks so yummy, I will certainly be trying this for my little one’s 1st birthday! I’ve never made homemade frosting..Do I soften the butter?
Hi Gabi! Yes softened works best!
How much cocoa powder would you add to make the buttercream chocolate?
I would add about 2-3 Tablespoons.
I made this for my sisters twins smash cakes and was a bit disappointed. It’s not really suitable for use in colder climates as it became very hard and the babies could hardly get into it. Just a heads up for anyone wanting to try this in winter or a cold climate. I’m sure it would work for other types of cakes though.
So sorry to hear that, Alicia. I’ve made this buttercream numerous times and have never had a problem, but maybe it is something to do with the climate.
Hi Ashlyn, thinking about making this for my son today and was wondering why you went with salted butter? thanks
Hi Irma, when I first got this recipe it called for salted. Since then, I typically use unsalted when I make it, so I’ll update the recipe with that. 🙂
I made your smash cake for my daughter’s 1st birthday and it was a huge hit! I used this amazing buttercream icing recipe, but had to double the recipe to frost part of the cake and the dozen leftover cupcakes. It was delicious, nonetheless! I got many, many compliments on the cake. Thank you for posting the recipes and step by step tutorials, I really appreciate it!
You are so welcome, Kelsey! Glad to hear that y’all enjoyed it. Happy birthday to your daughter! 🙂
Hi Ashlyn! Everyone needs a great, delicious buttercream recipe and this is perfect – plus I love your photo so much! Thank you for sharing at Best of the Weekend – pinned! Have a happy and fabulous Friday!
Thank you so much, Cindy! I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend. 🙂
Ashlyn I am featuring this on my Facebook Page tomorrow morning!! Come by and check it out! https://www.facebook.com/ThePlaidandPaisleyKitchen
Yay Chandra! Thank you so much for sharing on your Facebook page! You are awesome, girl. 🙂
Hi Ashlyn. thanks so much for linking up to Thriving on thursdays. We all need an easy buttercream frosting recipe and yours looks gorgeous. I’m featuring this at tomorrow’s party.
Anne @ Domesblissity xx
Anne, thank you so much for the feature! I love coming to your party every week, I always find such great ideas there. Thanks again!! 🙂
I love your presentation for your fabulous Buttercream Frosting. Happy St. Patrick’s Day and thank you so much for sharing your awesome post with Full Plate Thursday. Have a great week and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Thank you!
this is great! i pinned it!
Thank you, Tamika!
Yummy! I love buttercream so much
Me too, Jennifer! I like to eat it all on its own. 😉
Yum! Nothing better than a true whipped cream frosting. Would love for you to share at Fridays Unfolded!
Alison
Nancherrow
Thank you, Alison! I will swing by for sure!
Your buttercream looks great and super easy too. I’d love for you to come share at Simple Supper Tuesday.
http://www.hunwhatsfordinner.com/2014/03/simple-supper-tuesday-54_10.html
Thank you so much, Cindy! I’ll definitely drop by!
Thanks for linking up!
Hi i have a question
Actually i dont have a mixing machine then how can i make froasting?? Is there any alternative for that
Its my husband birthday and i want to make cake for him please help me
Hi there! You could make this with a handheld electric beater or even just a whisk! The whisk will definitely require a lot of effort to get it thoroughly beaten (an arm workout for sure!) but it can be done! Happy birthday to your husband!
What brand of Shortening did you use?
Pretty sure I’ve used Crisco for this.