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.
Angela says
My daughters 1st birthday party is this Saturday. Can I make this Friday & refrigerate to use on Saturday?
Okay, I’m WAY late answering this, but I hope you went for it! Making a day ahead is totally fine.
Kate says
What type of milk did you use? Our house normally only has skim, but I’m guessing that would not taste as great. Thanks!
Hi Kate! I think the first time I made it I did use skim! It’s a little better with a higher fat content milk but skim is fine! If you happen to have some half and half in your fridge you could use that too :)
Nicole says
Wow this was a great recipe!! I didn’t want to use one that called for whipping cream or half and half (would have had to go to the grocery store lol) and so I found yours and tried it. Delish! I love new buttercream recipes. The kids are all the frosting and left the cupcakes lol- so it was definitely a win, thank you!
Aww, what a great comment. Thank you Nicole!
Evelyn Marlow says
I am making my daughters wedding cake and wondered if you can tell me if this recipe will be ok to use as a crumb coat for a base to then add fondant icing and if it will keep for several days.
I have extremely limited experience with fondant, but I would think this would be fine for that layer.
Ri - Ri says
DE-LISH! OMG I l – o – v – e this recipe! oooh! i rimed!
Ri - Ri says
jk, i always rap and rime, i do it in my own way every single time! yoyoyo!
MARIA says
hi i’m from south africa… what is a stick of butter. most of our recipes here are in metric weight…. 1/2 cup of butter to measure would have to be really soft butter…can you help?
Hi Maria! I just google and 1 stick of butter is a 1/2 cup or 4 ounces or 113 grams.
Lenna says
Hi Lisa – I’ve had other icing go runny on me the moment I put the milk in. I want to pipe this frosting onto the cupcakes and have it hold it’s shape – will it hold up? Thanks!
It will definitely hold it’s shape. In fact, if you want to put sprinkles on too, you should put them on immediately after piping. Like when I pipe the edge of a cake with this frosting, I pipe about two inches, add sprinkles, and then pipe more. It firms up fast!
Ruth says
What Vanilla make and type do you use. They are so varied in flavour????
Please advise.
CiCi says
Could I use this same recipe to make a chocolate buttercream as well by adding cocoa powder? If so, how much cocoa powder would you recommend?
Thanks,
CiCi
Yes, though it will not be as delicious as the original vanilla. I really need to develop this recipes chocolate cousin. Anyway, if you go for it, I would do 1/4 cup.
Amanda says
If you make the chocolate cousin, let me know. I am going to try this recipe with the cocoa addition tonight. I cannot wait.
Cassey says
Would almond be okay to use instead of regular milk?
Cassey, you can give almond milk a try, but I’m worried that it would impact the taste and the creaminess :/