Name: Light and Fluffy Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 12 (Makes 3 cups)
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter (room temperature); 3 to 4 tablespoons heavy cream; 1 tablespoon vanilla; 2.5 to 3 cups powdered sugar

Light and Fluffy Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Light and fluffy vanilla buttercream frosting is sweet and irresistible with a buttery undertone that'll make you want to eat a bowl of it.

Prep15 min

Total15 min

Serves12 (Makes 3 cups)

Published 15 Mar 2012

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Light and fluffyvanilla buttercream frostingis sweet and irresistible with a rich, buttery undertone that’ll make you want to eat a bowl of it plain with just a spoon!

vanilla cupcakes with buttercream icing on top.

Can I be honest with you? I could eat the entire bowl of this vanilla buttercream frosting with just a spoon. It’s seriously that good. Therichness of thebutterandcreammakes it extra-creamy and smooth, and theperfect topping to any cake orbatch of cupcakes.If you don’t eat it all by itself first.

Plus, with how easy it is to mix up with justa handful of basic ingredients, you’ll never feel the need to get store-bought frosting again. There’s just something fresh and better about the homemade kind, anyway. If you have a loved one’s birthday coming up or any other celebration, I’d highly recommend whipping up a bowl of this vanilla buttercream frosting!

The top of a beater is shown with a dollop of vanilla frosting on the top.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Itcomes together quicklyand easily with the use of your stand or electric mixer. You won’t ever want to buy frosting from the store again.
Soft and creamy vanilla buttercream frosting is so simple to make,takes less than 15 minutes,and tastes impeccable on all your favorite cakes!
Its pale, creamy color isthe perfect canvasfor adding sprinkles and other decorations.

Recipe Ingredients

Butter –room temperature
Heavy cream
Vanilla
Powdered sugar

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

A glass bowl with flour in it as well as a splash of vanilla extract. A beater is on the edge of the bowl and a measuring spoon is lying near by.

How to Make Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

vanilla extract going into buttercream and powdered sugar for buttercream frosting

Step 1:Cream butter, and then add the rest of the ingredients.

Step 2:Whisk until combined.

buttercream icing being piped onto vanilla cupcakes

Step 3:Place in an icing bag and pipe on the cupcakes.

Step 4:Decorate with sprinkles!

Recipe FAQs

Does buttercream frosting melt in the heat?

A little softening is unavoidable if you’re serving cakes or cupcakes in the heat of a toasty summer day outside, but not to the point where it will be sliding off your baked goods and making a huge mess. As a precaution, I’d recommend keeping the cupcakes or cake stored in a fridge or cooler until you’re ready to serve it! It’ll taste fresher this way, too.

How far in advance can I make buttercream frosting?

You can make vanilla buttercream frosting up to 3 to 4 days ahead of time before you need to ice a cake or cupcake.

How do you store vanilla buttercream frosting?

Store buttercream frosting in the fridge in an airtight container up to 3 to 4 days ahead of when you’ll need to use it. Before you frost your cake, allow it to come to room temperature and mix it with a whisk to soften it.

A cupcake that has been iced and sprinkled is in the foreground with other decorated cupcakes in the background.

Expert Tips

You can leave a cake or cupcakes dressed with buttercream frosting at room temperature covered overnight, but if you want to keep it fresh longer, cover andstore in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
If storing the frosting in the fridgeallow it to come to room temperatureand mix it with a whisk to soften before using.
If the frosting is too thin,add more powdered sugaruntil it thickens.

Up close shot of a cupcake that has been iced with vanilla frosting and a variety of sprinkles.

More Cupcake Recipes to Consider

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Light and Fluffy Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Light and fluffy vanilla buttercream frosting is sweet and irresistible with a rich, buttery undertone that'll make you want to eat a bowl of it plain with just a spoon!

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter (room temperature)

3 to 4 tablespoons heavy cream

1 tablespoon vanilla

2.5 to 3 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

Add the butter and cream to the bowl of your stand mixer. Mix on medium speed with the whisk attachment until the butter and cream combine.

Increase the speed to high, and mix for 3 to 5 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy, stopping to scrape down the sides a time or two.

Add the vanilla and 2.5 cups of the powdered sugar. Mix on low until combined, and then increase speed to medium and whip for 1 to 2 minutes.

The consistency of the icing is important if you are going to pile it high on a cupcake. It should be a medium consistency. If you mix the batch of icing with a metal teaspoon (the kind you use for dinner) it should stand up straight in the middle of the bowl when it is in the icing. So, you should be able to stir it with a spoon by hand but it should also be sturdy enough to hold the spoon up. If the icing is too thick, add a little cream. If it needs to be a little thicker, add a 1/4 cup of powdered sugar and whip to combine until it's sturdy enough.

Place in an icing bag and pipe on the cupcakes with tip 2A.

Notes

This makes enough for 10 to 12 heavily frosted bakery-style cupcakes. You can make this frosting even more special by using homemade butter. Vanilla buttercream frosting is an adaptable base. It can be easily customized by adding different flavors such as chocolate. This frosting has a smooth, creamy consistency perfect for piping. This makes it ideal for decorating cakes, cupcakes, and other baked goods.

Nutrition

Calories181

Carbohydrates25

Cholesterol25

Fat9

Protein0.2

Saturated fat6

Sodium62

Sugar25