Create soft and fluffy buttercream every single time with this easy, not-too-sweet vanilla buttercream frosting recipe.
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An easy buttercream frosting recipe is a must for any baker whether you’re a seasoned pro or just a happy hobby baker. This one is light, fluffy, and perfectly sweetened to use on all of your cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and all the sweet things you whip up in your kitchen.
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Materials for this Easy Buttercream Frosting Recipe
Your basic buttercream is made with powdered sugar, butter (duh), flavoring and a touch of heavy cream.
A stand mixer is super helpful. Not 100% necessary but definitely worth the investment. I much prefer it to standing there with a hand mixer for forever.
If you don’t want to invest in a stand mixer right now, this hand mixer is the next best thing.
To create beautiful cupcakes that look like they’re straight out of a Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, you need a good piping tip set along with these reusable piping bags.
Tips For Perfect Buttercream Frosting
Whip it. Don’t beat it.
Using the whisk attachment on your stand mixer rather than the paddle attachment is going to create a fluffier, lighter frosting.
When we use the whisk, we are whipping a bunch of air into the frosting which not only makes it lighter, it makes more buttercream! Which is great because you can frost a heck of a lot more cupcakes when you have a fluffier buttercream.
I’m Melting!
If your buttercream starts to melt, don’t panic!
Simply stick it in the fridge for a half hour or so. When you pull it back out, you can whip it again for a minute or so and you’ll be ready to go again!
Prep and Go
When you know you have a lot of baking to do, save yourself a lot of stress and prep this easy buttercream frosting recipe a day or two in advance.
Store it in the fridge using these handy mixing bowls that come with lids OR check out my favorite bowl covers for a more sustainable kitchen.
Storing Your Buttercream Frosting
I’ve found that transferring the buttercream into my reusable piping bags makes things much easier when I’m ready to frost some cupcakes.
Set up a bag with the tip you plan on using, fill with this easy buttercream frosting recipe, tie shut (ties come with the reusable bag set) and then stick that bad boy in the fridge.
***Make sure that you pull the bags out of the fridge at least an hour before you plan to decorate. They’ll need to warm up to actually pipe smoothly.
And if you have leftover buttercream, don’t waste it! Check out these recipes to transform your extra frosting into another tasty treat!
Leftover Buttercream Truffles
Leftover Buttercream Cookies
Easy Buttercream Frosting Recipe Ideas
Now this easy buttercream frosting recipe is just for your most basic vanilla buttercream. It’s classic, simple, and SUPER easy to modify with thousands of different flavorings and colors.
Switching Up Your Buttercream
Obviously we aren’t always interested in this basic white vanilla buttercream. So how can we switch it up to be a bit more exciting?
Food Dye:
I highly recommend using gel food coloring. It gives a richer, more vibrant color without changing the consistency of your buttercream frosting.
This is the set I use, I’ve found it to be perfect and I use it with all of my recipes.
Flavoring:
Replacing the vanilla extract can be a fun thing to try as well!
For instance when making this Pineapple Pull-Apart Cupcake Cake, I replaced the vanilla with coconut to really give the cake a tropical, pina colada flavor.
Peppermint extract is also amazing around the holidays and almond extract can make a light, tasty spring flavor!
(If you’re making a chocolate buttercream, check out this post that’s just waiting for you)!
Some Shine:
Adding some white pearl dust to this frosting is a fun and shiny thing to do. Start by adding some white food coloring to the frosting for a true white. The mix in about 2 tsp of luster dust.
(If you’re going for an even more lustrous look, sprinkle some more dust on top of the buttercream after you pipe it on)!
Related Posts:
Leftover Buttercream Truffles
Leftover Buttercream Cookies
Classic Vanilla Cupcakes
Easy Buttercream Frosting Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ cups butter
- 6 powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 4 tbsp heavy cream
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Beat your butter until smooth and light in color. Add half of your powdered sugar and mix until completely incorporated.
- Whisk in the rest of the powdered sugar then add the heavy cream, salt, and vanilla and then whisk until your buttercream is light and fluffy.
- Transfer to a reusable piping bag and swirl!
Notes
Nutrition
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Final Notes…
Having a good basic buttercream frosting recipe makes baking a breeze. Because vanilla buttercream is so easily customizable, your color and flavor variations are endless.
Work smarter, not harder. You don’t need a completely original frosting for every dessert you make. Save yourself some grief and customize this base recipe however you want.
And of course, check out all of our other tasty recipes as well to keep that sweet tooth satisfied!
So once you’ve made this yummy easy buttercream frosting recipe, take a pic, post it on the gram and make sure to tag me (@handheld_eats)! I love seeing you creations and really, if you don’t post it on Instagram, did it even happen?
Sharing is caring! Do you know someone who would needs this amazing cookie recipe? Share it with them!
See you soon, friends!
xoxo,
Angel