Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Recipe (2024)

The BEST vanilla buttercream frosting recipe that is unbelievable creamy and fluffy and so easy to make. A recipe that every home baker needs!

Easy Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting is a recipe that every home baker needs to have in their repertoire, or recipe box if you're like me.

I used to be a canned frosting sell-out, until I made my own homemade buttercream for the first time, and now I can't go back. It is SO SO much better than homemade.

This vanilla buttercream recipe is my go-to for most of my frosting needs (unless I need a good cream cheese frosting, then I use this one!).

It is unbelievably creamy, light, and fluffy, and it still pipes beautifully.

Best of all, it is so quick and easy to make with ingredients you probably already have in your house: butter, powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla.

How Do You Make Vanilla Buttercream Frosting White?

The best way to make your buttercream whiter is to use clear vanilla extract, like this one, instead of your typical brown extract.

Also, whipping your frosting for longer makes it fluffier and whiter.

I will also sometimes use 1-2 small drops of blue food coloring (for the whole batch) to make it look like a truer pure white, instead of a buttery off-white.

However, it will always be slightly off-white because of the butter. You could use shortening instead of butter, but it won't taste as good.

The Trick to Fluffy Buttercream Frosting

The real trick to fluffy vanilla buttercream frosting has two parts:

1. Use real cream. When I use cream to make my frosting instead of milk, it is so much richer and fluffier.
2. Beat it longer. The frosting can be done when everything is combined and smooth. However, if you leave your mixer on and continue beating for an additional 5-10 minutes, the frosting gets smoother because all of the powdered sugar fully dissolves AND it gets fluffy. So fluffy and pretty. Just like in a bakery!

How to Get Rid of Air Bubbles in Vanilla Buttercream

In an effort to make your buttercream perfectly smooth, it's possible to over-mix. If your buttercream is over-mixed, you will see lots of visible air bubbles. Thankfully, there's a super simple fix for this, so no worries!

Simply switch to a wooden spoon or silicone spatula and stir, pressing the frosting up against the sides. This will pop the bubbles and bring your buttercream back to the perfect texture and look.

How to Make Easy Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar with a mixer until blended and smooth.

Add vanilla extract and cream, and continue beating on high for an additional minute.

Continue beating on high for an additional 5-10 minutes.

Check the consistency and add cream or powdered sugar accordingly.

Spread or pipe on cupcakes or cake. Cover and refrigerate to store for later use.

Pro Tips

• If your buttercream is too thin, add a little more powdered sugar, ¼ cup at a time. If you buttercream is too thick, add a tablespoon of cream and beat until it reaches the desired consistency.
• Be sure to beat your frosting long enough. When it's been beaten long enough, it turns a lighter color and is perfectly smooth and fluffy.
• Add a little almond extract. I only add ⅛ teaspoon because it can be so overpowering. But just that little bit in there makes it taste so good!
• Store your frosting covered in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
• Make this frosting ahead! Make it, store it in covered in the refrigerator. Then just bring it to room temperature and beat again before using.

Try Vanilla Buttercream Frosting with These Amazing Recipes:

• Best Funfetti Cupcakes - the best cupcakes from scratch
• Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars - soft funfetti sugar cookie bars
• Sugar Cookies - my grandma's recipe that holds their shape!
• Chocolate Chip Cupcakes - your favorite cookie turned cupcake

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Video

UPDATE INFO: This recipe was originally published in January 2016. It has been updated with new pictures, tips, and video and republished in June 2023.