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.Â
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.
Recipe Video
Tammy says
This is my FAVORITE and most consistent go to homemade Vanilla recipe!
I can always add a different kind of extract if o want to change the flavor and it’s perfect!!
I’m so happy to hear you like it as much as I do!
Kathy Bourg says
I can’t find ingredient list for sugar cookies. I would like you to repost it again. Thanks
I have two. Cut out sugar cookies and sugar cookies. Click either link and the jump to the recipe button at the top.
Debbie says
Can you make this with salted butter?
Yes!
Shirlane says
you are amazing with these recipes
Thanks!
Joyce says
I want to make your sugar cookies for Christmas. Will this buttercream set up so I can stack the cookies after they dry? I love Christmas cookie trays and decorated sugar cookies just looks so festive. Thanks for responding to my email. Happy Holidays!!
Yes! This frosting dries beautifully. You will want to make sure you add any sprinkles right away, and then yes, they will dry and be able to stack.
Joanne says
I just reviewed your 3 Frosting recipes. They made my mouth water just reading them.
My family loves coconut cake, and I’m going to try the Buttercream recipe on the next cake I bake – probably for Mother’s Day.
Keep up the recipes.
I hope you love it!
Karen says
I want to sprinkle gram cracker crumbs on top of the buttercream icing after I put on cake. Will this icing hold the crumbs, including on the sides? Thanks!
They will for sure hold on, but I want to caution you that this buttercream hardens very quickly. You will want to make sure that you add the crumbs immediately. For example, if I wanted the crumbs on both the sides of the cake and the top after piping, I would add it to the sides before decorating the top.
karen says
I reread your instructions, since I was making the cake last Saturday, and worked fast. It worked! I was making an ant hill cake for my 11 year old grandson. And yes, I added the ants. The graham crackers (mixed with brown sugar) was put over your frosting recipe to replicate the ant mound. The frosting was delicious and the cake was a success! Thanks much for your addition!
I’m so glad to hear that!
Debbie says
Is it ok to use half almond and half vanilla extract?
Have you tasted that combo?
I love almond extract, so I think that would be delicious!
Debbie says
Thanks! I made the cookies yesterday and froze them for Christmas. Best sugar cookie by far. I don’t thin’ they need icing! I did roll them out on powdered sugar. đŸ¤—đŸ¤—
I’m so glad to hear it, Debbie!