Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Vanilla buttercream frosting is a simple, four-ingredient frosting that's sweet, creamy, and smooth. This classic American buttercream is easy to make with a hand mixer and pipes beautifully onto cupcakes.

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings or more cupcakes

Author Heather

Ingredients

1.5 cups (339 g) unsalted butter room temperature
4 cups (456 g) confectioner's sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup (57 g) heavy cream or milk
¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

In a large bowl, add room temperature butter. With a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat until creamy and smooth, about 1 minute.
Add confectioner's sugar 1 cup at a time and slowly mix until ingredients are fully combined. Then, whip at high speed for 2-3 minutes, or until light and fluffy.
Add vanilla extract, heavy cream, and salt, then whip until fluffy, another 1 to 2 minutes.
Pipe or spread frosting with a knife onto cupcakes and serve.

Notes

Yield: About 4 cups.
How much frosting do I need? Recipe makes enough to frost up to 18 cupcakes with piped frosting, 24 cupcakes spread with a knife, a 9x13 sheet cake, a 13x18 sheet cake, or a round 8 or 9 inch 2-layer cake on the top, sides, and middle.
Decorate while fresh: This frosting will crust, so sprinkles or additional decorations need to be added before your frosting dries.
Storage: Buttercream frosting will keep for 3-4 days at room temperature, up to a week in the refrigerator or 3 months in the freezer.

Nutrition