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Buttercream frosting recipe cupcakes topped with colorful sprinkles and pink animal-shaped cookies on a white plate.
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Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

This Vanilla Buttercream Frosting is smooth, fluffy, and SO good on cupcakes and cakes. It pipes beautifully, making it an easy choice for decorating cupcakes, cakes, and special treats.
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Dessert
Keyword: buttercream frosting recipe, frosting recipe, vanilla frosting recipe
Servings: 24 cupcakes
Author: Melissa Johnson
Cost: $10

Ingredients

  • 2 sticks unsalted butter softened
  • 7 cups powdered sugar divided
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup milk

Instructions

  • Beat the softened butter with 3 cups of powdered sugar until combined.
    Powdered sugar added for a buttercream frosting recipe in a mixing bowl.
  • Add the vanilla extract and milk and mix until combined.
    Mixing buttercream frosting recipe ingredients in a bowl.
  • Gradually add the remaining 4 cups of powdered sugar, mixing between additions.
    Smooth buttercream frosting recipe in a mixing bowl.
  • Continue beating until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.

Notes

Adjust Consistency: If the frosting is too thick, add a little milk. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar.
Mixer attachment: I recommend using a paddle attachment for this buttercream. I recommend using a paddle attachment for this buttercream.
This vanilla frosting recipe makes about 5½ to 6 cups of frosting, which is enough to frost around 24 cupcakes with generous swirls, an 8-inch or 9-inch two-layer cake, or a large sheet cake with a thin layer of frosting (or a super thick layer on a 9×13 cake).
If you don’t need quite that much, you can easily divide the recipe in half to make a small batch, too!