Vanilla buttercream frosting is a delicious balance of sweet and creamy flavor, perfect for topping cakes and cupcakes!
Homemade buttercream is a match made in heaven for homemade cakes and baked goods. Whether it be sourdough vanilla cake, sourdough chocolate cupcakes, or even sandwiched between two fresh chocolate chip cookies — you can’t go wrong with this velvety smooth frosting that is packed with rich vanilla flavor.
It only requires a few basic ingredients and minimal time to create. This is a must have recipe to keep in your baking tool box!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Fast – This buttercream can be whipped up in no time at all! Be sure to soften your butter beforehand, and you will have fresh homemade frosting in just about ten minutes!
Simple ingredients – You will never pick up another can of store-bought frosting again once you make this homemade version. It contains no questionable ingredients and the flavor is far superior to anything you can buy.
Adds elevated flavor to baked goods – The only thing more impressive than a homemade cake, is homemade frosting to go along with it. The flavor in this recipe really takes anything that you pair with it to the next level.
Ingredients
Butter – Salted and unsalted butter will both work for this recipe. If using salted butter, taste the frosting before adding any additional salt to avoid over salting your buttercream.
Heavy cream – Whole milk will also work in a pinch, but heavy cream adds the best creaminess and texture.
Vanilla extract – Homemade vanilla extract is simple to make at home with only two ingredients. It really adds elevated flavor to this frosting.
A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Tools You May Need
- Stand mixer with a whisk attachment, or hand mixer
How to Make Buttercream Frosting
Step 1: To a stand mixer with a whisk attachment (or a bowl and hand mixer), add softened butter and beat until smooth.
Step 2: Add powdered sugar and start the mixer on low speed and work up to medium speed. Whisk until nice and fluffy. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed.
Step 3: Add whipping cream, salt, and vanilla and whisk for 1-2 more minutes.
Step 4: Spread onto cake, cupcakes, or whatever recipe you desire!
Tips
- A pinch of salt really balances out the sweetness in this recipe, so be sure to include it.
- Use the whisk attachment for your stand mixer when making this frosting rather than the paddle attachment. This adds more air into the frosting and creates a lighter, fluffier result.
- Over-whipping your buttercream won’t alter the flavor, but it does add more air bubbles which can be problematic if you are using a piping tip to decorate. Stir the frosting before piping to remove air bubbles.
Recipe FAQs
Be sure that your butter has softened to room temperature to allow it to incorporate smoothly with the rest of the ingredients. Avoiding over-whipping is also a key tip to ensure your frosting applies smoothly to whatever cake or cupcakes you are decorating.
Over-mixing or adding too much liquid can cause this problem. Add more powdered sugar a little at a time to thicken up your buttercream. You can also thin it out as needed by adding a small amount of milk or heavy cream.
While I love a classic cream cheese frosting on my sourdough carrot cake, this vanilla buttercream would be a delicious alternative.
Store buttercream in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or two. You can also freeze buttercream in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw it in the fridge and then to room temperature. Whip it again in the mixer to bring it back to its proper consistency.
More Sweet Recipes from the Farmhouse
- Triple Berry Tart With White Chocolate Custard
- Whole Wheat Brownies with Freshly Milled Flour
- Lemon Poppyseed Muffins
- Homemade Sourdough Oatmeal Cream Pies
- How To Make The Best Strawberry Cheesecake
If you try this recipe and love it, I would love it if you could come back and give it 5 stars! Tag me on Instagram @farmhouseonboone.
Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
Equipment
- 1 Stand Mixer or hand mixer
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- To a stand mixer with a whisk attachment (or a bowl and hand mixer), add softened butter and beat until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar and start the mixer on low speed and work up to medium speed. Whisk until nice and fluffy. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed.
- Add whipping cream, salt, and vanilla and whisk for 1-2 more minutes.
- Spread onto cake, cupcakes, or whatever recipe you desire!
Notes
- A pinch of salt really balances out the sweetness in this recipe, so be sure to include it.
- Use the whisk attachment for your stand mixer when making this frosting rather than the paddle attachment. This adds more air into the frosting and creates a lighter, fluffier result.
- Over whipping your buttercream won’t alter the flavor, but it does add more air bubbles which can be problematic if you are using a piping tip to decorate. Stir the frosting before piping to remove air bubbles.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
