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.
Recipe Video
Mir says
Your sis in law is a seriously nice person! But I’m sure she was telling the total truth. This frosting looks incredible! And your piping ain’t too shabby either, girl!
Elizabeth says
The icing is so good, we made a cake using this icing,
BEST CAKE EVER!
Annie @Maebells says
Beautiful!! You just can’t beat a classic vanilla buttercream!
Nancy Kinder says
I can’t wait to get a cake baked…this icing sounds PHENOMENAL, I love anything bitterness
Thanks for sharing
Linda Lamb says
It’s that wonderful (cough, cough) auto-correct.
Nancy Kinder says
I have NO IDEA HOW. (BITTERNESS ) WORKED ITS WAY INTO ABOVE SENTENCE…IT WAS TO READ
LOVE ANYTHING BUTTER CREAM..
M E says
Me too.
lisa says
I can’t wait to try this recipe. I’m looking for a good peanut butter icing.
Lauryn Cash says
my favorite peanut butter icing is the Original Oyster House peanut butter pie, half the whipped cream. it is AH-mazing on chocolate cupcakes ????
Rachel says
Yum! And simple. I.love.you.
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
I have yet to find chocolate frosting that I didn’t like but I have hard time finding a good vanilla one. I can’t wait to try this! Sounds fantastic! Pinning!
Joan Hayes says
I love a good vanilla frosting, it doesn’t get more classic than that! And I always have to lick the beaters. : )
Joanne says
I’ve been making this for fifty years, since before canned icing came out. That makes me feel old….
Tami W, says
Me, too, Joann. However to really make it fluffy, try using heavy whipping cream instead of milk…
Debbie says
How much whipping cream
No whipping cream Debbie :)
Corrina says
Why not heavy cream?
You could use heavy cream, Corrina. It will make it richer, but a lot of people don’t have it on hand, so that’s why milk.
Melissa says
Wow. I thought this might involve cooking or corn starch or something like that. But this looks so simple! I will definitely have to try it! Thanks, Lisa!
Sooooo simple! The only planning involved is making sure your butter is room temperature, but otherwise, super fast and totally worth making from scratch!
Kimber says
Can you make this into chocolate buttercream by adding cocoa or melted chocolate?
Yes, and I would use both!