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.
Lynda says
Perfect Frosting! Used it on a cake & it was amazing. Am getting ready to make it again to decorate brownie pops for my Christmas party!! Thanks so much for sharing.
I’ms o glad you liked it!
Bev says
Is this frosting good for decorated sugar cookies ? I am needing a frosting that will slightly harden but not too hard.
I used this to decorate my Cut Out Sugar Cookies. That said, it does harden pretty quickly. To prevent that, you can add less powdered sugar or a little more milk.
Celeste Swanson says
Hi Lisa, I am a 13 year old and I love to bake. I have two questions. One, does the recipe change if I double the recipe? And two, is the butter and sugar supposed to be crumbly before I add the milk and vanilla. Thanks Lisa!
Hi Celeste! I wish I would have started when I was that young! You should be able to double the recipe without any problem. I don’t know if I would describe it as crumbly, but you definitely need the milk and vanilla to smooth it out.
Angela says
This is the thickest icing I’ve ever made, it seriously broke my hand mixer and my food processor! Will never make this again!
Angela . . . .I think there might be something wrong with your hand mixer . . . and your food processor. I’ve made this recipe so many times and literally have never had a problem a single time. And based on all the solid reviews of this recipe, others have had my experience. The only reason I can think someone might break two appliances over this recipe is using butter that is frozen or way too much powdered sugar.
Gina says
Can i use almond milk in place of milk?
Hi Gina! It will affect the flavor a little, but it shouldn’t impact the consistency. Go for it!
Brittany says
Delicious and easy to make!
So glad you liked it Brittany!
Lindsay says
Would a half batch be enough to pipe rosettes onto 6 cupcakes?
I have not tried that, but I would say, yes as this is enough to just lightly frost 24 cupcakes.
Patricia says
Do you know of a sugar free icing for diabetics
I’m sorry, Patricia, I don’t.
Karina says
Hi I’m making this frosting super late lol but mine turned out kinda runy how do I avoid that for next time? it turned out as more of an icing
It sounds like an issue of the butter being too soft. You should be able to easily dent it with your finger without your finger going all the way through and it should still feel cold to the touch.
Wendy says
Is it okay to add food colouring to this recipe? I am. Asking a dinosaur cake made from cupcakes and the icing I need is green. Thanks
Yes, this recipe handles food coloring really well