Description
A quick and easy vanilla buttercream frosting that’s rich, creamy, and perfectly pipeable. Ideal for cupcakes, layer cakes, and more, this versatile frosting comes together in just five minutes with five simple ingredients.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
3–4 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or whole milk, room temperature
Instructions
- Beat room-temperature butter in a mixer for 2 to 3 minutes until creamy.
- Gradually add sifted confectioners’ sugar with the mixer on low, scraping down sides as needed.
- Mix in vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Add cream or milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
- Stir in a pinch of salt to balance sweetness. Taste and adjust as needed.
Notes
- Add lemon juice or zest for a citrus twist.
- Replace ½ cup sugar with cocoa powder for chocolate buttercream.
- Try almond, coconut, or peppermint extract for flavor variations—reduce vanilla accordingly.
- Substitute half the butter with shortening for heat-stable frosting.
- For tangy frosting, mix in ½ cup cream cheese.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Frosting
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
