The BEST Buttercream Frosting
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This is without a doubt, the Best Buttercream Frosting recipe EVER! What sets this recipe apart is the technique. Learn all the tricks on how to make the best buttercream frosting for all your special occasions!
The Best Buttercream Frosting
This is my go-to buttercream frosting that I’ve been using for years and years. It’s a reader favorite too! There are plenty of buttercream recipes out there, not to mention cream cheese frosting recipes, royal icing recipes, swiss meringue buttercream, etc. But this one? It’s a keeper.
The great thing about it is that it turns out perfect every time, it requires minimal ingredients and it’s super easy to make!
And of course, that rich and creamy consistency with sweet buttery flavor is to die for! It’s the perfect compliment to just about any cake.
What Ingredients Go into Buttercream Frosting?
Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this simple, yet delicious buttercream frosting:
- Butter – I like to use part unsalted and part salted. Otherwise, if you add salt it never seems to dissolve properly and you taste little bits of it.
- Powdered sugar AKA confectioners’ sugar – there’s no need to sift beforehand unless it is clumpy then definitely sift before adding.
- Heavy cream – no substitutions here for best results.
- Vanilla extract – use real vanilla. No imitation flavor here.
How to Make American Buttercream Frosting
- In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, using the paddle or whisk attachment, whip butter on medium-high speed until nearly white and very fluffy, frequently scrapping down the sides of the bowl.
- Add in powdered sugar, heavy cream and vanilla extract and mix on low speed until blended, then increase speed to medium and beat until very light and fluffy, frequently scraping down the sides of the bowl.
- Immediately spread over cooled cake or cupcakes. Uses a piping bag if you’d like some decoration.
My sister and I both agree this is the best buttercream frosting recipe! Don’t forget the trick is in the technique. There are hundreds of buttercream frosting recipes out there, but the one that sets this apart from the others is preparation (and the use of salted butter).
Tips for the Best Frosting
My sister asked if we could get a really white frosting without the yellow tint. I told her she needed a buttercream frosting, and the trick was in the technique. How you make vanilla buttercream frosting doesn’t just begin and end with the ingredients, but also the method by which you prepare the frosting.
In my opinion, these are the keys to a very light, creamy, fluffy buttercream frosting:
- Really whip the butter. I am talking until it’s basically white. Really pay attention to the shade of the butter when whipping, making sure it becomes very very pale.
- Use heavy cream. The cream makes everything better, and creamier of course.
- Lots of butter. Yes, there are days I try to be a little healthier and reduce the amount of butter I add to my buttercream frosting, but on those days, I will admit, it’s just not quite as good. This is an indulgent frosting and sometimes it’s definitely worth it.
- Ratio is important, don’t add any more powdered sugar than listed or the proportions won’t be right and your texture won’t be what I call perfect.
- Don’t overdo it with the vanilla, add no more than 1 1/2 tsp. If anything, reduce the amount. The beauty of the flavors of the buttercream comes from the butter. Basically it makes it taste like ice cream, it doesn’t need to be enhanced, just lightly highlighted.
- Whip it some more. Once you add the cream you still want more air and fluffiness in there. This isn’t a one-minute frosting recipe but I’m telling you it’s well worth the time and patience invested.
Frosting vs Icing: What’s the difference?
Generally, frosting is thick, rich, and fluffy, while icing is usually thin and glossy. Frosting usually uses lots of butter while icing uses a little, if any. Icing is great for cookies, while frosting is perfect for cakes.
So is this buttercream icing or buttercream frosting? In my opinion, it’s definitely frosting but maybe you’re just used to that name icing, so go with it.
Ways to Use Buttercream Frosting
Don’t throw any leftover buttercream frosting out! Here are some ways to use it up if you happen to end up with a little extra:
- Sandwich between Nilla Wafers and roll edges in sprinkles for an easy treat the kids will love.
- Spread over warm toast, add a pinch of cinnamon if desired.
- Spread over graham crackers, optionally sprinkle with chocolate chips.
- Add a spoonful or two to your morning bowl of oatmeal (I tried cream cheese in my banana oatmeal one morning, wow good).
- Use it as a dip for pretzels.
- Dunk teddy grahams or gingersnaps (it’s like homemade Dunkaroos).
- Spread over fruit, such as bananas or strawberries.
- Melt chocolate frosting and pour over ice cream.
- Add chopped nuts to it, chill, and cut in squares.
- Spread over warm pancakes or French toast.
- Sold in some whipped cream or Cool Whip and use it as a fruit dip.
- add some caramel sauce and dip in apple slices.
- Turn it into a simple craft with the kids, tint it with food coloring, get out all the different varieties of sprinkles, icings, and little candies you have in the cupboard, and let them spread it with graham crackers and decorate as desired.
- Last but not least, simply place leftover frosting in an airtight container, store it in the refrigerator (up to 4 days), and enjoy throughout the next few days by the spoonful (if you don’t want to tempt yourself so much, freeze it for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator — never microwave to thaw).
How to Make Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Looking for a chocolate recipe? I’ve got one HERE you’ll love!
More Buttercream Frosting Recipes You’ll Love:
- Raspberry Buttercream Frosting
- Peppermint Buttercream Frosting
- Lemon Buttercream Frosting
- Vanilla Bean Buttercream Frosting
- Coconut Buttercream Frosting
- Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
Give it a try with mint extract, peanut butter, Nutella, or other liquid extract flavorings.
Follow Cooking Classy
Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (340g) butter, at room temperature (3 sticks)*
- 4 1/2 cups (570g) powdered sugar
- 3 - 4 Tbsp heavy cream
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, using the paddle or whisk attachment whip butter on medium-high speed (if using whisk attachment whip on high speed) until nearly white and very fluffy, about 7 - 8 minutes, frequently scrapping down the sides of the bowl.
- Add in powdered sugar, heavy cream and vanilla extract and mix on low speed until blended, then increase speed to medium and beat until very light and fluffy, about 5 - 6 minutes, frequently scraping down the sides of the bowl.
- Immediately spread over cooled cake or cupcakes.
Notes
- *I use 1/2 cup salted butter and 1 cup unsalted butter for a nice balance.
- If using a paddle attachment that constantly scrapes bowl reduce each mixing time by a few minutes. Mostly just pay attention to the shade, it should become very pale, almost white, and fluffy each time.
- This recipe yields enough for a two-layer cake or 24 cupcakes with a shorter layer of frosting.
- If you want an alternate flavor of frosting, coconut or almond extract would be a great substitute for the vanilla extract, just add it to taste.
How to Make A Mini Cake Using Glass Storage Containers
If you were wondering how to make the mini-tiered birthday cake, this is how I did it:
- Line each a 1-cup, 2-cup, and 4 cup oven safe, round glass storage container with aluminum foil, pressing and molding the foil directly to the insides of each container and leaving a slight overhang of foil on the sides (to lift out the cake), then spray the foil with non-stick cooking spray (or use a baster and baste with vegetable oil or melted butter) then dust with flour and shake off excess.
- Preheat the oven according to the directions listed on the cake mix box and prepare the cake according to the directions listed on the package.
- Fill foil-lined cups 2/3 full (you may have just a bit of excess batter).
- Bake in a preheated oven (baking time will vary based on what type of cake mix you use, so judge accordingly), I made the confetti cake and it took about 25 – 30 minutes for the one cup, then an additional 5 minutes for the 2 cup, then another 5 minutes for the 4 cup (so you should be removing the smallest first, letting the medium bake a little longer and the largest bake the longest), insert a toothpick into the center of cakes to check for doneness.
- Allow cakes to cool in glass bowls for several minutes then remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool run a knife evenly along the top (about 1/2 – 1 inch down) to make the cake even and remove excess on top.
- Turn cakes upside down and frost with buttercream frosting, frosting largest first, then medium, and finishing with the smallest (note that frosting sets quickly so keep that in mind if adding sprinkles).
- Celebrate and enjoy!