Kitchen notes · a little help before you start
The Best Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
The Best Vanilla Buttercream Frosting is made with pure vanilla extract, powdered sugar, and heavy cream or whole milk.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Total
- 10 min
- Original yield
- Serves 12
- Ingredients
- 4 listed
Make it part of your week
Recipe categories & planning details
- Meal type
- Desserts
- Cuisine
- American
- Preparation & total time
- Prep: 15 minutes or less · Total: 30 minutes or less
A few quick notes
1. Start with the first step
Set out what is needed for the first preparation step.
Get to know the ingredients
unsalted butter (2 sticks), (softened)
In the method: Beat the softened butter over medium speed with an electric mixer until soft and creamy.
powdered sugar
In the method: Continue to beat over medium speed as you gradually add the powdered sugar.
pure vanilla extract
In the method: Once butter and sugar have come together, add the vanilla.
Let’s make it
Choose your servings, then check things off as you go.
Original recipe: Serves 12. Original quantities shown.
Check ingredients as you prepare them. These checks stay on this page.
Ingredient note
Source: 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), (softened)Ingredient note
Source: 4.5 cups powdered sugarIngredient note
Source: 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extractIngredient note
Source: 4-5 Tablespoons heavy cream or whole milk; upper source range endpoint used for shopping.
How to make it
0 of 2 steps completeMake room for The Best Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
Review ingredients in your pantry before anything is added. Meal plans use your household size; grocery-only additions use the servings selected above.
The last little job
Finish as directed
This frosting is perfect for piping, or for simply spreading onto cakes and cupcakes!
A few questions you might have
What should I prepare first?
Start with this step: Beat the softened butter over medium speed with an electric mixer until soft and creamy.
Which preparation step should I plan for?
Set out what is needed for the first preparation step.
What happens at the end?
This frosting is perfect for piping, or for simply spreading onto cakes and cupcakes!
How do I plan the ingredient amounts?
This version serves 12. Use the ingredient amounts listed for that yield. If you change the number of portions, check equipment and the full method as well as the shopping quantities.
Additional recipe notes
*This amount makes enough for piping onto a two-layer eight inch cake. I've also used it to pipe onto roughly 12 cupcakes. If you're not using a piping bag, it could frost more than that!
Storage & reheating safety
For cooked, perishable leftovers, refrigerate within 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F), using shallow containers for prompt cooling. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below, use refrigerated leftovers within 3–4 days, and reheat hot leftovers to 165°F, checked with a food thermometer. Follow any shorter package limit.
These are general safety limits, not a tested storage or freezing recommendation for this particular dish. USDA leftovers guidance · Safe cooking temperatures
Recipe source: belleofthekitchen.com. Ingredient names and quantities may be adapted for the pantry.
Preparation notes follow the recipe shown here.