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.
Wendy says
I only have salted butter on hand, will this adversely effect the final product? No time to run out to get unsalted…. Help! :)
I haven’t made it with salted. It will definitely change the taste, though I know some people who swear by adding salt to frosting recipes.
Adrienne says
Have you ever tried freezing this recipe then thawing it out to room temperature to use? I’m trying to prepare for my daughters birthday in a few weeks & besides wanting to make the cake ahead of time I would also like to make some extra icing for the kids to be ankle to decorate cupcakes with.
I haven’t Adrienne. I would suggest just googling freezing frosting, because I’m guessing the results of that search could be applied to this. Sorry I’m not more help!
Bev says
can I frost a half sheet of cake in one batch or should I double it?
I think it would be plenty for a half sheet, Bev
Angie says
Once you frost your cake, do you refrigerate the cake , or can it be left at room temp? Also, how long would icing on cake be good at room temp?
I have done it both ways, and I would say only one day.
Longjohn Cynthia Nnenna says
Lovely! You are doing an awesome job.. Can I please get scale measurements for the butter and powdered sugar.
Liz says
I love this simple butter cream frosting. Taste great on my truffle cupcakes. I like using a really good vanilla brand ( Nielsen Massey pure vanilla bean paste ). Pinterest
Manar says
My birthday is in a week, I have to try it, thank you so much, I’ll update how it goes when I try it.
Joanna says
Used your recipe for my daughter’s Minecraft cake. I’ve tried a lot of buttercream recipes and while the flavor is good, it doesn’t pipe well and is rather melty (NOT a word, I know.) This recipe however is absolutely perfect! It’s the best frosting I have ever tasted. I felt like a champ with my perfect buttercream frosting. Thanks!
It’s so weird, Joanna! I’ve gotten comments all over the place on the piping abilities of this frosting! Some say it is WAY too stiff, others like you say too melty (totally a word I use). My guess is that it has to do with the softness of the butter people are using. You should be able to press a finger into the butter, but not all the way through. Regardless, I’m so glad you liked it! Also, tell your daughter she is a boss for wanting a Minecraft cake!! My son and daughter are both super into Minecraft :)
Valerie says
Thank you for the wonderful recipe! It worked perfectly when other butter cream recipes have not.
Amanda says
how much frosting does this make? enough to cover how much cake?
If you made a two tier cake I would double it.
stephanie says
No salt?? I don’t trust it…c’mon you need a little!
Then I guess go for it … ? I don’t know, I love it without.