The Best Classic American Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
Follow this easy tutorial to make creamy, smooth, and fluffy vanilla buttercream frosting perfect for piping onto your favorite cakes and cupcakes. This classic American buttercream comes together quickly.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 10 min
- Yield: About 3 cups
- Category: Dessert Topping
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (2 sticks or 226g) unsalted butter, softened to cool room temperature
- 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 to 4 tablespoons heavy cream or whole milk
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Place the softened butter into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or use a large bowl with a hand mixer). Beat the butter on medium speed until it is completely smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed until just combined after each addition. This prevents a sugar cloud in your kitchen.
- Once all the sugar is incorporated, add the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Mix on low speed for 30 seconds.
- Add 3 tablespoons of heavy cream or milk. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat for 3 to 5 minutes. You must beat it thoroughly to incorporate air, which makes the vanilla buttercream frosting light and fluffy.
- Check the consistency. If the frosting is too stiff for spreading or piping, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of cream, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired smooth buttercream consistency.
- If the frosting seems too soft, add a quarter cup more sifted powdered sugar and beat again until smooth.
- Use immediately for frosting cakes or piping decorations.
Notes
- Use cool, room temperature butter. If the butter is too warm, your frosting will be greasy and won’t hold its shape for piping consistency.
- Sift your powdered sugar to prevent lumps in your smooth buttercream.
- For a stronger vanilla flavor, use vanilla bean paste instead of extract.
- If your frosting separates or looks curdled after adding the liquid, continue beating on high speed for another minute; this usually brings it back together.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 48
- Sodium: 55
- Fat: 17
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Unsaturated Fat: 7
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 48
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 0
- Cholesterol: 45