The Classic Vanilla Buttercream frosting recipe is the top choice for all sweet bakery creations – cupcakes, cakes and even cookies! It is super easy to make, yet offers unmatched minimalistic elegance. On the other hand, this classic buttercream is the perfect base for many other frosting flavors: mix with fresh or frozen fruits, spices and even herbs and you will have created something really unique!
Here is the recipe with step-by-step instructions, plus some tips for preparing the best classic vanilla buttercream frosting every time.
Classic vanilla buttercream: make it with only 4 ingredients
- 250 grams unsalted butter
- 300 grams powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2-3 tbs cream or milk
Note: You can add more sugar for sweter buttercream or less for a low calorie option or if you’d like to combine with savory flavors.
These ingredients are enough for 12 cupcakes. You can double the quantities to make a larger amount of frosting.
How to prepare the classic vanilla buttercream frosting recipe:
- Beat the butter with an electric mixer on a medium speed until it become light and fluffy and changes color to light yellow.
- Start adding powdered sugar to the butter. You will want to add th sugar gradually and not all at once. When all sugar is in the bowl, increase the speed of the mixer to the highest and beat for about 10 seconds.
- Add vanilla extract and mix until cobined.
- Milk should be added at the end, one tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is achieved.
Tips for making the best classic vanilla buttercream
As you can see, there is not much skill required to make vanilla buttercream. On the other hand, there are some tricks you can use and get not just ordinary classic vanilla buttercream frosting but the best one, every time!
- Use colorless vanilla extract for achieving that gorgeous white color.
- Turn the mixer to its highest speed for a couple of seconds after each portion of powdered sugar that you add to the butter. That will make your vanilla buttercream frosting extra light and fluffy. If you are after a thicker texture, just beat the buttercream atr mediumm speed all the way.
- Be careful when adding cream or milk – too much can mmake th buttercream runny! If that happens, fix it by adding extra powdered sugar.
- You can store the vanilla buttercream frosting it into an airtight container in the fridge or the freezer. That is ideal when you need to make it ahead or when you end up with extra frosting that you might want to use later. Vanilla buttercream frosting can last a week in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer. Before use, take it out of the fridge, let it come to room temperar and whisk it again with the mier to fluff it up.
Finally, why don’t you explore some more buttercream frosting flavors for cupcakes – there are 20 amazing ideas with information about best cupcake recipe combnations and links to recipes.
I hope you will try it and check out some of the other cupcake recipes on my blog.
Cheers,
Suzie F.