This is The Best Vanilla Buttercream Frosting! It’s rich and creamy, and is super easy to whip up. It pipes beautifully, and is the perfect way to finish off all of your cakes and cupcakes!
We celebrated our daughter’s fifth birthday last week and even as I type this, I find myself still sitting here in a state of denial!
It seems like just yesterday I was sharing a tutorial on how to make her 1st birthday smash cake. But in reality, it was actually FOUR years ago!!!
When people say “the days are long but the years are short,” that is the absolute truth. I sure wish time would slow down with these babies of mine.
Our princess’s request for her birthday cake was a “pink cake with a ballerina on top.”
I was able to provide the pink frosting just fine, but after realizing my construction efforts are pretty subpar, I turned to Etsy for a ballerina cake topper. Which was GORGEOUS by the way! If you’re interested, this is the one I ordered.
As for the frosting, I made this one (and dyed it pink). This is my go-to frosting recipe, and in my opinion, is The BEST Vanilla Buttercream Frosting ever!
I’ve been making it for AGES so I’m surprised I haven’t shared it before!
I have another recipe for buttercream here on my site that I use a lot as well, but this one right here is my favorite because it doesn’t require shortening, and it’s SO SO delicious!
I add plenty of vanilla to give it really good flavor and it pipes onto cakes and cupcakes so well, and holds its shape beautifully! I think y’all are really going to love it!
If you share this Vanilla Buttercream Frosting or any other recipe from my site on Instagram, tag #belleofthekitchen so I can see what you’ve made! And follow me @thebelleofthekitchen, too!
The Best Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks),, softened
- 4.5 cups powdered sugar
- 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 4-5 Tablespoons heavy cream or whole milk
Instructions
- Beat the softened butter over medium speed with an electric mixer until soft and creamy. Continue to beat over medium speed as you gradually add the powdered sugar. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula as needed to fully incorporate all of the sugar.
- Once butter and sugar have come together, add the vanilla. Beat in the heavy cream or milk 1 Tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached. This frosting is perfect for piping, or for simply spreading onto cakes and cupcakes!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
If you like this recipe for The Best Vanilla Buttercream Frosting, then you might also like:
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Tova says
This looks like a great and easy frosting recipe. Can I freeze after decorating the cupcakes?
Liz B says
I use this recipe all the time to make my family’s special occasion cakes and get so many compliments on it! Thank you for sharing this recipe with me & my family. We’ve enjoyed it for many special celebrations and plan to use it for many more to come!
Mary Jane Arinzana says
Is this too sweet? Can i reduce powder sugar? I am just starting to bake thanks
Lucie says
I’m going to make this recipe tomorrow but 4.5 cups of powdered sugar sounds excessive. Is this right? The video shows spoons going into the mixer.
Ashlyn Edwards says
That’s correct!
Ellen Baker says
This buttercream frosting is the best. My cake with this frosting was a big hit with my family!! Easy to make too!! Thank you.
rachel says
These look SO good! I LOVE buttercream!
Mama Maggie's Kitchen says
This Vanilla Buttercream Frosting is sooo mouthwatering! This will be perfect for my cupcakes and cakes.
Monica Simpson says
I wish I could eat it by the spoonful right now it looks so good!
Amber Myers says
I love buttercream frosting. This looks so delicious. I’ll be trying it!
Don Williams says
Tastes 100x better than the store bought stuff. Also easy enough for a guy to make!
Bunk says
This was awesome!
We used it with choclate cake!
Dink pink says
Totally!😝
Selah says
This was very good! But for some reason it started melting? That might be that i added to much milk.
Cheyanne says
Sooo good great for my grandma’s cake
Laura Zubko says
Can you make this frosting the night before and store in the fridge for the next day?
Ashlyn Edwards says
Yes!
Jil says
Loved it! Used this recipe for Easter cupcakes. Used a little blue food colouring and they were perfect. The whole family loved them. Thank you!
Jenny B says
Just made– super easy and easily frosted a 3 layer 8″ cake. Will use this recipe again and again
Arrmen says
Could I use milk or 5% coffee cream instead of heavy cream? If so, which would be better?
Ashlyn Edwards says
You can use either one!
Stefanie Gunn says
Amazing recipe. Just perfect!
Melissa says
Super tasty! My frosting did come out with lots of air bubbles. How can I avoid this?
Evelyn Rose says
Though this isn’t my recipe I think it’s safe to say that the air bubbles are due to over whipping. I would suggest either turning to a lower speed if using a stand or hand mixer. If you’re using a stand mixer you should use a paddle attachment instead of a whisk! Hope this helped
Heather says
Can I keep it overnight and frost cupcakes the next day? If so should it be kept in fridge or on the counter?
Ashlyn Edwards says
Hi Heather, I would store it in the fridge overnight, then remove and let it sit on the counter for about 20 minutes before you frost the cupcakes.
Maria says
Hey! This is pretty hard to avoid, just try not the over mix as it traps air, and when putting in on the cake make sure to smoothen out very well!
Shawn Bell says
Great recipe
shelly says
This was a fantastic buttercream. I split in 3rds and added espresso powder to one batch, cocoa powder to another and left the 3rd with a tsp of vanilla paste and filled homemade macaroons …they were AMAZING.
Stacey Wright says
Delicious. This is my go to for buttercream frosting. Easy and everyone loves it. Do you know how long it will keep in the fridge?
Ashlyn Edwards says
Hi Stacey! It’s good for about 3-4 days in the fridge.
ezelle frees says
this is genuinely the best thing i have ever consumed. this recipe is unbeatable. i like to add a little more vanilla, and slowly add the milk/cream. this is brilliant. thank u
Jean says
Can I use gel food coloring (red) to make the icing pink? How much?
Ashlyn Edwards says
Yes! I usually just add a bit at a time until the color I want is achieved.