Looking for the best buttercream frosting recipe? Look no further. This easy buttercream frosting is light, fluffy, simple, delicious, and perfect on cupcakes, birthday cakes and any type of cakes. Learn how to make buttercream icing from scratch.
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This Buttercream frosting is the first frosting I learned to make because of its simplicity and versatility. It's the easiest frosting to make, goes with most types of cakes and it's inexpensive.
This easy buttercream frosting recipe is what I've used for many years for piping on cupcakes, birthday cakes, macarons, and many other things. It is great for crumb coating and covering before putting fondant on a cake and much more. It's just so versatile.
It's my most used type of icing next to cream cheese frosting which I'll be giving you the recipe soon.
I have never used store bought buttercream as I always make mine at home and I get light, fluffy, perfect buttercream that holds up even in hot weather.
This smooth buttercream recipe is very simple and any beginner baker or professional should learn how to make it. It's suitable for homemade cakes like coconut cake, pound cake and any other type of cakes. It's egg-free and suitable for vegetarians!
Buttercream Frosting Recipe
This Vanilla buttercream frosting recipe is easy, quick and failproof. It's one you can use as a home baker or professional baker.
I can confidently say this is the best buttercream icing recipe because it has never failed me. Here are other reasons why I think it's the best:
You only need 3 simple ingredients plus any flavoring of choice.
Cheap homemade frosting that won't break the bank. Inexpensive and delicious.
Its quick, easy and you can whip it up in just 10 minutes
Made with ingredients you can pronounce, you know what goes in it and no artificial preservative or sweetener in this homemade buttercream frosting.
You don't need heavy or expensive equipment to make it.
You can make ahead and store for later.
Tools You'll need
Weighing Scale- To measure the ingredients for accuracy. I use USB Charging Kitchen Scale. Waterproof Stainless Steel with LCD Display, Ounces and Grams for Weight Loss, Cooking, Baking.
Mixing bowl - Use deep one big enough to fit the frosting. My go to is Pyrex Glass, 3-Piece, 3 PC Mixing Bowl Set.
Stand or Electric mixer - KitchenAid Classic Series is my favorite, because of all of the mixing time. But when I am in a hurry and want less mess, I use my KitcheAid Hand Mixer.
Spatula- To scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl.
Ingredients for Buttercream Frosting
Butter - Salted or unsalted. Bring it to room temperature before use as soft butter makes buttercream comes out nice and fluffy.
Powdered Sugar- Also called icing sugar or confectioners sugar. Caster or granulated sugar will not work for this recipe unless made into powdered sugar first.
Flavoring - You can use vanilla extract, lemon, strawberry extract or any flavoring of your choice.
Milk or heavy cream (optional) - Either of the two works fine. When I am not using heavy cream, I like to use whole milk.
How to make Buttercream Frosting
It takes less than 10 minutes to make this simple buttercream frosting.
Here's how:
Measure out all the ingredients and leave the butter to soften or bring to room temperature.
Add the butter in a mixing bowl then use hand or stand mixer to whip on high speed for about 1 minute or until butter is light and pale in color.
Add half of the powdered sugar and mix on low speed for a minute till it comes together then add the remaining powdered sugar.
Mix at low speed until it comes together then add vanilla and milk. Whip on high speed for 5 - 7 minutes until light and fluffy.
It's ready to use.
Variations
Lemon buttercream icing - Use lemon extract instead of vanilla extract. You can also add a teaspoon of lemon zest for citrusy lemon frosting.
Strawberry buttercream icing - Substitute strawberry extract for vanilla extract. For color, add pink food coloring.
How to use:
Spread it on your favorite food. Cupcakes, cookies, birthday cakes.
You can always use it for piping. My go to is the Wilton tip 1M
Using your favorite piping bags and all of the fun tips, makes this fun even for adults!
Using gel food colors by Americolor Gel Colorshttps there are so many combinations you can create!
A few drops go a long way!
How to store
Buttercream keeps well in the fridge and in the freezer. If you make it ahead or have leftover, put in a freezer bag, label, and store in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When ready to use, bring to room temperature, add to a mixing bowl and mix with a hand or stand mixer for 3 minutes or until it's fluffy.
If you put in the freezer, put in the fridge to thaw first before re whipping.
Tips
If the powdered sugar is lumpy, sift it before use. I almost always do this.
Use a deep mixing bowl that is big enough to fit in the buttercream.
Whip the butter till light before adding the powdered sugar.
Use a bowl cover guard or towel to cover the bowl to trap in the icing dust and prevent it from going all over the place.
Start mixing on low speed then increase to high speed after all ingredients are in the bowl.
To make it lighter, add a teaspoon of milk at a time and whip till you get the consistency you desire.
If you add too much milk to the buttercream and it gets runny, add a bit more powdered sugar to thicken it.
Adding food color? add it before adding milk especially if using liquid coloring.
FAQ
Can I use margarine
Butter will produce the best buttercream because of its low water content and high fat however you can use margarine but do not use reduced fat margarine as it has more water content.
Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely. You can double or triple this recipe to get the quantity you want.
How to thicken buttercream?
If you want a thicker frosting, add more powdered sugar, add a little at a time till you get the consistency you desire.
How much buttercream for 8 inch cake?
This recipe will cover 8 inch cake that is 4 inch tall, and 1 dz cupcakes.
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