A simple, 5 ingredient recipe for Vanilla Frosting. Use it to top off your favorite cake or cupcake recipe. This recipe generously tops 12 cupcakes, modestly covers 24, or will cover an 8″ or 9″ layer cake or 9×13 sheet cake.
Happy Spring! Does it look like Spring where you are, yet? Because yesterday/the first day of “Spring” was also the beginning of the first big snowstorm we’ve had all year.
My car is buried beneath half a foot of snow, Zach is taking a snow day because none of the roads are plowed, and eventually one of us is going to have to break down and actually go outside to shovel out our driveway, so despite what the calendar might say it doesn’t exactly feel Spring-y around here!
Fortunately, snow days make for perfect baking days, and today I plan on baking myself a batch of from-scratch chocolate cupcakes and topping them off with today’s recipe for vanilla frosting.
And sprinkles too, of course.
Today’s recipe is simple to make and is a staple icing recipe that every home baker or cake decorator should have on hand. It’s easily pipeable and does a great job of holding its shape, is easy to customize with different extracts (though I always reach for the vanilla), and does well under fondant.
It’s also incredibly hard to mess up, if your frosting becomes too thin you simply add more sugar, and if it’s too stiff an extra splash of heavy cream or even milk will work. Let’s go over a few frequently asked questions that I get about making vanilla buttercream.
How long can I store vanilla frosting?
You can make vanilla frosting in advance and store it for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. It will firm u when cold, so let it soften at room temperature a bit before piping or spreading on to your cake.
Can I leave vanilla buttercream frosting at room temperature?
Yes! There is heavy cream in this recipe, but it is stabilized by the generous amount of sugar that we are using. You can frost your cake or cupcakes with this frosting and it will be good for 2-3 days at room temperature (it will keep longer in the refrigerator, for about 1-2 weeks).
What goes well with vanilla frosting?
I’ve tried it and loved it on my funfetti cake (check out those colorful decorations — all of them made with this same recipe!), chocolate cake, chocolate cupcakes, and vanilla cake, just to name a few!
I have a new-ish cupcake (pictured above) that I’m excited to share with you on Friday, and I’ll also be showing you how to add the neat colorful swirls to your frosting (it’s easy, you just need a small paintbrush).
Enjoy!
If vanilla buttercream isn’t quite your thing, be sure to check out my less sweet chocolate frosting or cream cheese frosting, instead!
How to Make Vanilla Frosting
Vanilla Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 cups (375 g) powdered sugar
- 3 Tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Beat butter with an electric mixer until creamy. Sprinkle salt over butter and stir again to combine.1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter softened to room temperature, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Gradually, about ½ cup at a time, add powdered sugar, waiting until each cup is completely mixed before adding more.3 cups (375 g) powdered sugar
- With mixer on medium-low speed, add the heavy cream, one tablespoon at a time. Once ingredients are well incorporated, gradually increase speed to high and beat for about 30 seconds.3 Tablespoons heavy cream
- Add vanilla extract and stir well.1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pipe or spread frosting over cooled cupcakes. Top with sprinkles, if desired. This frosting will be fine at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerated in an airtight container for about a week.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Hansa
Hey I made your vanilla cupcakes in the evening with your vanilla frosting. This was my first time baking cupcake and frosting.. thank you for all your tips they came out very well. I halved your frosting recipe and used on 12 cupcakes.. thank you! Did I tell you that the frosting was well balanced it’s not too buttery or too sugary.
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed it so much, Hansa! 🙂
Donetta
Can you use milk in this recipe instead of heavy cream? I never have heavy cream on hand! I usually bake on a spur of the moment!
Sam
Hi Donetta! You can use milk, but you will want to start with a little less than the 3 tablespoons and add more as needed. 🙂
Donetta
Thank you Sam! I want to try with heavy cream just don’t always have it in the fridge! Can’t Wait to try this and some of your other recipes! Your tips are great!
Jessica
Is this a really sweet frosting?
Sam
Hi Jessica! It’s an American buttercream frosting which tend to be a little sweeter. 🙂
Charla
This is the first time I’ve successfully made buttercream frosting. I’m very impressed with how easy it was to make, how light and delicate the texture and taste were, and how shiny and pretty it looked.
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed it so much, Charla !:)
Heather
should i double the icing recipe if I make your white cake recipe
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Heather! Yes, you will make a double batch of frosting to have enough to cover the cake. 🙂
Julia
This was really good, I love all you’re recipes, but I’m generally not a big frosting lover, however, this was SO SO good, would make again, thanks Sam <3
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed it, Julia! Thank you for commenting. 🙂
Rachel Sutherlin
I haven’t tried this frosting in the fear it will be to buttery like a buttercream. I am looking for a frosting recipe that isn’t buttery for my cakes and don’t want to waste ingredients. Is this recipe buttery?
Sugar Spun Run
This is a classic vanilla buttercream frosting, Rachel. However, I personally do not find it too buttery in flavor.
Courtney
Is there a huge difference between heavy cream and heavy whipping cream. I was only able to find the whipping but wonder if it will work similarily
Sugar Spun Run
Heavy cream and heavy whipping cream are essentially the same thing, heavy cream will whip better and hold its shape longer than whipping cream. Either will work well for this recipe, Courtney! Enjoy! 🙂
Amy
A few years ago I decided I wanted to learn to make cakes so I could make all my girls’ birthday cakes each year. I tried about 5 different recipes before yours. Haven’t tried another since. I have been told multiple times that I should go into business! Thank you for the deliciousness of your vanilla cake and buttercream frosting!!
Sam
I am so glad you enjoy it so much, Amy! 🙂
Megan
It was great thanks for it 😋
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed the frosting so much! 🙂
Madeline
Do I have to use heavy cream
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Madeline! You could use milk (use a bit less as it’s thinner) or you can omit (the frosting will just be a bit thicker). I hope that helps! 🙂
Jill Schmitt
I was wondering about this and you just answered my question too. YAY! I’m searching for recipes for my sons 18th birthday on Monday. Can wait to try them. Thank you
Diane Tyler
Heavy cream makes this frosting. it is the secret to it.
anwita
do i have to us heavy cream???
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Anwita! You could use milk (use a bit less as it’s thinner) or you can omit (the frosting will just be a bit thicker). I hope that helps! 🙂
Anu
This was absolutely finger licking delicious! Thank you so much for this!
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you loved it, Anu! Thanks for trying my recipe and for commenting. 🙂
Anne
Hii, can i use condensed milk instead of heavy cream? Thanks 🥰
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Anne! Unfortunately, no. I do not reccomend it.
Heather
Can I use salted butter
Sam
Hi Heather! You can use salted butter, but you will want to omit the salt here. 🙂
Natalia Nikki Nicole
I have no heavy cream.Can I use milk on vanilla frosting recipe?
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Nilda! You could use milk (use a bit less as it’s thinner) or you can omit (the frosting will just be a bit thicker). I hope that helps! 🙂