This is the best Vanilla Buttercream Frosting recipe. Make this easy buttercream frosting recipe and you’ll never want cake without vanilla buttercream again. Or eat it with spoons.
We love using this vanilla frosting recipe on all sorts of cookies and cakes, but my absolute favorite is on top of these perfect sugar cookies!
You guys have to make this vanilla buttercream frosting recipe.
The end.
Okay, not really.
But yes. Really.
So this is a frosting recipe that I first made for these adorable sheep cupcakes. And I made it again for Piper’s cake smash. But it is seriously so ridiculously good that I feel like it deserved it’s own post.
So ironically, my sister in law sent me a text message the day before the sheep post went live and asked me if I had a good vanilla frosting recipe. And I said, “Funny you should ask . . . ” A few weeks later I got this message from her:
“I LOVE it! It makes boxed cake mixes taste like they were made in a bakery. It puts homemade cakes off the charts!”
I love her.
If that testimonial wasn’t enough, yesterday while I was photographing this cake, Gavin asked me if he could have a piece when I was done. Who am I to say no to that cute face? Gavin historically loves cake but doesn’t like frosting at all. Which is just crazy, but kind of awesome because I always get his left over buttercream frosting at birthday parties. #dontjudge
Well, I walked back into the kitchen after giving him some cake and he was eating the frosting!! I said, “Gavin! I thought you didn’t like frosting!”
“I don’t. But, Mom. This vanilla frosting is AMAZING!!”
#truestory
RECIPE NOTES FOR THE BEST VANILLA BUTTERCREAM FROSTING:
- One batch of this vanilla buttercream frosting recipe is enough to lightly cover 24 cupcakes. I needed to double it to frost a three layer cake, with 1/2 cup frosting between each layer and a nice crumb coat.
- This frosting firms up rather quickly, so if you are going to top with sprinkles, you will want to frost your cupcake add the sprinkles, and then move on to the next cupcake you need to frost.
- If you don’t like your frosting as sweet, you can cut back the powdered sugar by a cup. It will result in a less sweet and also less firm frosting.
The Best Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsps vanilla
- 1/4 cup milk
Instructions
- To make frosting, beat the butter until fluffy.
- Then add the powdered sugar gradually, one cup at a time.
- Add in the vanilla and milk.
Carla says
Hi, everyone! My son’s birthday is not till next month and I’ve been looking every where trying to find a good recipe for a butter cream icing or just icing period. And I stumbled here lol and so far I see a lot positive reviews so I’m gonna go ahead and make it this weekend just to try it out. I really love baking for my son and his friend and I really want to make his cake this year ! Wish me luck! I’ll let you guys know how it tastes by the end of this week!
Amanda says
Hey there, I was just wondering if you had ever tried using evaporated milk in the buttercream frosting ???
Nope
Amber says
I was wondering if you had a recipe for a chocolate frosting!?
I don’t Amber, but I need one! Everyone has been asking!
Diane says
Making sugar cookies for granddaughter 1st birthday, can I use this recipe to frost cookies and decorate them, it’s this weekend ,hope to get answe before Friday
Sorry, Diane, I’m just seeing this! I would only make the frosting one to two days ahead
Katie says
This buttercream frosting is delicious! Very easy to make also. If you’re looking for a good buttercream definitely try it out! I made this recipe back in August for my son’s birthday and everyone loved it! I’m making it again for my daughter’s birthday this weekend. ????
So happy you liked it Katie!
Cheyenne says
Okay this looks too easy and delicious! Do you think this recipe will make enough for a 13×18 sheet cake? I do like my layer of frosting to be a little thick, no skimping out on the frosting here. It IS the best part :)
Also, will this work if I just hand whisk it? Or is an electric mixer needed?
Thanks!
I would double it to be on the safe side and I really would only use an electric mixer :)
Marissa says
Honestly this was pretty gross. It was sickeningly sweet. I find that the frosting in a can is much less sweet and doesn’t taste like pure powdered sugar. I’m sure some people like this but I found it to be down right awful and I was so hopeful that making my own frosting would be much better than a canned one. It feels like I’m eating straight up powdered sugar. Even feel like you almost have to chew it because it’s so gritty.
Marissa, I think it’s totally possible you didn’t make it right. There is nothing gritty about this, and I’ve made it a dozen time.
Roxy says
Same thing happened to me as Marissa. It tasted like sweet cornstarch, not like good frosting. I even started with organic butter and beat the heck out of it, but never got rid of the grit. I ended up running to the store to buy a can of frosting. Maybe it was the generic powdered sugar?
Rebecca says
Is it okay if I publish this on a website that I am making from my computers class. Please let me know as soon as possible.
I’m sorry, Rebecca, I don’t allow republication of my work. Thank you for asking!
Chenequa says
Thank you sooooo much for this recipe. It is truly delicious ???? I’ve used it several times now and it has been a hit every time. I will be making a half sheet cake for my nephew birthday and I need a much bigger batter any suggestions?
I’m not sure if I know what you are asking for Chenqua. You want a bigger batch of this recipe? Every time I make a cake, I double this recipe and it is enough.
Natalia says
podrias pasar las medidas en gramos por favor