Vanilla Buttercream Icing Recipe

This decadent vanilla buttercream frosting, featuring shortening for a delightful crisp exterior and rich, buttery interior, is perfect for elevating your cakes and cupcakes! Frost two 13x9 inch cakes with this recipe, creating a stunning finish to your favorite baked goods. Inspired by a classic cooks.com recipe, this icing is incredibly versatile. Try it with Old Fashioned Spice Cake (#41292) for an irresistible flavor combination.

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 15 mins

Calories 111.5 kcal

Protein 0g

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Recipe Author

The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Vanilla Buttercream Icing

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
4 tablespoons milk, plus more as needed
4 cups powdered sugar

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How to Make Vanilla Buttercream Icing

In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup (2 sticks) of unsalted butter and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
Gradually add 4 cups of powdered sugar, alternating with 4 tablespoons of milk, beating well after each addition.
Beat for 5 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, until the frosting is light and fluffy.
Add additional milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches your desired consistency.
Add a pinch of salt. Taste and adjust sweetness or consistency as needed. Ensure there are no gritty textures.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

1 g

Sugar

74g

Fat

Carbs

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

Sweets & Sides Desserts The Americas American Southern Vegetarian Baking 30 Minutes Or Less

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

15 Minutes Or Less Time To Make Course Preparation For Large Groups Low Protein 5 Ingredients Or Less Desserts Easy Cakes Dietary Low Sodium Cake Fillings And Frostings Low In Something Number Of Servings

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Vanilla Buttercream Icing?

Vanilla Buttercream Icing takes about 30 minutes from start to finish — roughly 15 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Vanilla Buttercream Icing?

Vanilla Buttercream Icing has approximately 111.5 calories per serving, with about 0 g protein, 6 g carbohydrates and 6 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Vanilla Buttercream Icing?

The key ingredients for Vanilla Buttercream Icing are Shortening, Vanilla Extract, Salt, Water, Powdered Sugar. See the full list with measurements above.