4-ingredient vanilla frosting, or American buttercream, is made with just butter, icing sugar, vanilla, and a splash of cream. Easy, sweet, and perfect for icing just about anything!
A classic for a reason, all-butter American buttercream is the easiest vanilla frosting in town. Just four total ingredients for a perfectly pipe-able topping or filling for cupcakes, cake, cookies, and more.
The butter is whipped until fluffy before adding the sugar – this lightens the end product and makes everything more smooth and silky. Make sure to add the cream a tablespoon at a time because you might not need all of it.
This is our go-to frosting, used just about anytime we’re doing something more detailed like buttercream roses or a cupcake Santa Claus, or simply topping cupcakes like in the above photo.
Use the JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top, or scroll to the bottom of the post to see the printable recipe card with full ingredient measurements and complete instructions.
Ingredients
Step by Step
Add softened butter to a large bowl. Beat the butter on high speed until light and fluffy. Add the sugar, cream, and vanilla. Beat again until fluffy and completely smooth.
Tips and Notes
For white buttercream, you can use a couple drops of white food colouring (yep, it’s a thing!) to brighten it up. American buttercream is always going to be an off-white, creamy colour, as it’s made with all butter. It’s part of the charm.
This does take colour very well, but we recommend using gel food colouring for best results.
Mix the buttercream until very smooth. If you rub a little between your fingers, it shouldn’t feel textured or gritty at all – if it does, keep mixing.
To make this in a standing mixer, simply follow the same directions but use the whisk attachment on your mixer. You’ll have the same results but save your arm a bit.
Substitutions
While whipping or heavy cream will give the best texture and taste, you can substitute coffee cream (half and half) or full-fat milk. In a pinch, even plain yogurt will do the trick.
If you don’t have icing sugar, you can try making your own. Blend regular white sugar in a food processor or high speed blender until powdered, sifting through a fine mesh sieve before using.
Vanilla paste and powder can be used instead of extract. Reduce the amount by half.
For a vegan option, try our vegan vanilla buttercream.
Recipes Using American Buttercream
Rainbow Sprinkle Confetti Cupcakes
Chocolate Chip Sheet Cake
Chocolate Shortbread Sandwich Cookies
Lemon Buttermilk Cake with Raspberry Compote
Recipe
Easy Vanilla Frosting (American Buttercream)
Description
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Stand or hand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons or a digital kitchen scale
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, softened at room temperature
- 3 cups icing sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons whipping, heavy cream
Instructions
- Add the butter to a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of your standing mixer). Beat on high speed for 2 minutes, until lighter in colour and fluffy.
- Add the sugar, vanilla, and 1 tablespoon of cream. Mix again, starting on low speed and gradually increasing to high, until the frosting is light and smooth, about 3 minutes.
- Add the second tablespoon of cream if the buttercream is too stiff.
- Rub a little bit of the frosting between your fingers. If it feels at all gritty, keep mixing. It should be very smooth, a light cream colour, and fluffy when it’s ready.
- Store the buttercream in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
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