Quick, Easy Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

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Buttercream frosting tastes amazing, and it’s so easy to make! This recipe for easy vanilla buttercream icing is very simple and you won’t want to use store-bought icing again!

Here’s the thing about buttercream. No matter what recipe you use, they are all very similar. It’s basically butter and sugar, then add in some flavoring.

I don’t know why I thought that my homemade buttercream was going to be different from other professional bakers, but I took a cake decorating class at a local bakery and realized then – nope, all buttercream is basically the same other than the amount made and very minute differences.

It’s so EASY to make though, that once you see how – you won’t be bothering with store-bought frosting again. I promise!

Easy Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Recipe

Buttercream Frosting Ingredients

You’ll need the following ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) of unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups of confectionary sugar (or as my secret boyfriend, Paul Hollywood, refers to it: icing sugar)
• 1 Tbsp of vanilla extract
• 2 Tbsp of heavy whipping cream (or you can substitute milk, but it won’t hold its shape as well)
• any food coloring you might want to add (add drop by drop until you get the desired color)

How to Make the Buttercream Frosting

1. Cream your butter with a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Do this on medium speed until it’s smooth. 

2. Gradually beat in your confectionary sugar until incorporated. I start on low speed and slowly go up to the medium speed. (If you do this all at once, you will have a dust cloud of sugar – ask me how I know!)

3. Add vanilla extract. Add whipping cream, and continue to mix on medium until everything is combined. I add the cream one tablespoon at a time and use my own judgment to how stiff my buttercream is. You will want to be sure to scrape down the sides of your mixing bowl as you go.

4. If you are adding coloring, add a few drops and mix until incorporated. I like to mix colors in small amounts at a time, so I typically scoop the frosting out into a smaller bowl and fold them coloring in by hand to the small batch.

How to Store the Buttercream Frosting

Frosting can be made 2-3 days in advance. Just tightly cover and refrigerate. Let it come to room temperature before you frost your cakes or cupcakes.

Buttercream frosting can also be frozen for 2-3 months. Just thaw overnight in the refrigerator, let it come to room temperature, and then mix it well before frosting.

Quick, Easy Buttercream Frosting

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Super easy vanilla buttercream frosting that will be sure to please everyone!

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups confectionary sugar
• 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
• 1-2 tablespoons of whipping cream
• food coloring (optional)

Instructions

1. Cream your butter with a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Do this on medium speed until it's smooth. 

2. Gradually beat in your confectionary sugar until incorporated.

3. Add vanilla extract. Add whipping cream, and continue to mix on medium until everything is combined.

4. If you are adding coloring, add a few drops and mix until incorporated.