Buttercream Frosting Recipe
This simple and delicious vanilla buttercream is perfect for frosting cakes and cupcakes.
Equipment
- Stand mixer
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature (226g)
- 4 cups powdered sugar sifted (480g)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3-5 tablespoons heavy cream room temperature
Instructions
- In a large bowl with an electric mixer or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and salt on medium-high speed for 5 minutes or until pale, smooth and creamy (scraping down the bowl halfway through.)
- Reduce the mixer to low, and add the sugar ½ cup (60g) at a time. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of cream intermittently as you are mixing in the sugar. Stop occasionally to scrape down the bowl and make sure all of the sugar is getting mixed in. Add in the vanilla extract.
- Once all of the sugar is added, mix on medium-low for 1 minute until light and fluffy. If desired, add the additional cream 1 teaspoon at a time until the frosting is smooth and easily spreadable or thick enough for piping your decorations. If you frosting sits for 5-10 minutes while you are getting your workspace set for decorating, you may notice the texture has turned very airy looking. Give it a quick mix on low speed or stir by hand with a spatula to smooth out the texture again.
Notes
- Take time to scrape the bowl down while mixing in the sugar to help ensure even consistency throughout. Just stop mixing, use a silicone spatula to scrape the frosting off the sides and bottom of the bowl, then continue mixing.
- If you're looking for a very spreadable frosting, you can add a little bit more cream (6-7 tablespoons). It will be a bit too soft for holding sharp piping details, but it will spread like a dream on a sheet cake with gorgeous swoops!
- Keep the frosting covered if you are working slowly! Buttercream easily dries out on the surface, developing a crisp shell as it sits. If you make the frosting in advance or are working slowly, keep the bowl covered with plastic wrap or a lid to help prevent it from crusting over. If that does happen, just give it a mix and add a tiny splash of cream if needed.
Nutrition
Calories: 1117kcal Carbohydrates: 146g Protein: 1g Fat: 61g Saturated Fat: 38g Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g Monounsaturated Fat: 16g Trans Fat: 2g Cholesterol: 163mg Sodium: 367mg Potassium: 38mg Sugar: 143g Vitamin A: 1919IU Vitamin C: 0.1mg Calcium: 28mg Iron: 0.1mg