Description
This classic Buttercream Icing recipe is perfect for cupcakes, cakes, and sugar cookies, offering a smooth, creamy texture with a rich vanilla flavor. It’s easy to make with just a few simple ingredients, creating a fluffy and sweet topping that complements both vanilla and chocolate desserts beautifully.
Ingredients
Scale
Buttercream Icing Ingredients
- 1 cup salted butter, softened
- 4 cups confectioners powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (use clear vanilla for pure white icing)
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Cream Butter: Place the softened salted butter into a large mixing bowl and use an electric hand mixer to beat it for about 1 minute until smooth and creamy.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the confectioners powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition until fully combined and smooth.
- Add Vanilla and Milk: Pour in the vanilla extract and milk, then continue to mix the frosting on medium-high speed for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the icing becomes very fluffy and light.
- Decorate: Spread or pipe the buttercream icing onto your cupcakes, cakes, or sugar cookies. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- For a pure white icing, use clear vanilla extract instead of regular vanilla.
- If the icing is too thick, add a little more milk, a teaspoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
- To make chocolate buttercream, substitute 1 cup of powdered sugar with cocoa powder and adjust milk to maintain consistency.
- Keep the buttercream stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week; let it come to room temperature and re-whip before using.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Frosting
- Method: Mixing, Whipping
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons (about 30g)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Buttercream icing, Vanilla buttercream, Cupcake frosting, Easy buttercream recipe, Homemade frosting
