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Home » Frosting » Buttercream Frosting

Published: Apr 3, 2021 · Modified: Apr 3, 2021 by Kathy · This post may contain affiliate links

Buttercream Frosting

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A cupcake with a swirl of white frosting.

A perfect buttercream frosting for cakes or cupcakes. This vanilla buttercream icing is perfect for piping onto cakes or cupcakes.

This frosting will also hold up to warmer temperatures and won't lose its shape.

A yellow cupcake topped with a swirl of frosting.
Table of Contents show
Why make this recipe
Key ingredients
Step by step directions
Recipe Tips
To color frosting
Recipe Faqs
More frosting recipes
Buttercream Frosting

Why make this recipe

I do a lot of baking and bake a lot of cakes and cupcakes. Having a great buttercream frosting is a key element to any great cake or cupcake.

This is my go-to buttercream frosting recipe. I use this recipe for frosting a cake or piping swirls on cupcakes.

This buttercream is buttery and creamy.  It is perfect for piping and holds up under most circumstances.

If I am making a cake in really hot or humid weather or if my cake has to be showcased outside. I adjust this recipe with less butter and more shortening.

White frosting being squeezed out of a piping bag.

Key ingredients

A plate with butter and shortening with a bowl of powdered sugar behind the plate.
  • Powdered sugar - two pounds
  • Butter - salted and softened at room temperature
  • Shortening - Crisco
  • Vanilla - pure vanilla! If you need your frosting to be pure white, you will want to use an imitation clear vanilla.
  • Milk - whole milk or half and half (cream)

Step by step directions

  • Place softened butter and shortening in mixing bowl. Beat with a whisk attachment until very smooth.
Butter whipped in a mixing bowl.
  • Mix in powdered sugar, half at a time and mix. Be certain to mix at a very low speed to avoid a cloud of powdered sugar. The mixture will be very thick.
  • Powdered sugar added to a mixing bowl with butter.
  • A very thick frosting on a large whisk in a bowl.
  • Add vanilla and 2 tablespoons of milk and mix well
  • Continue adding milk, one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is met
Buttercream icing in a metal mixing bowl.

Recipe Tips

  • Make certain your butter is soft but not melted
  • If your powdered sugar has lumps, sift before using.
  • Do not overwhip the frosting or you may get little air bubbles.
  • Food coloring may be added after the frosting is completely mixed. I use gel food coloring rather than liquid food coloring. The colors are more vibrant and it won't thin your frosting.
  • This recipe may be doubled.
  • For warmer weather use, decrease the amount of butter and replace with shortening.

To color frosting

I use gel colors when I want colored frosting. The colors are vibrant and the gel coloring will not thin your frosting.

To color, place the amount of frosting you want colored in a bowl. Use a toothpick to dip into the colors and add to the bowl of frosting. Stir until well mixed. Add more coloring if a deeper color is desired.

  • A bowl of white frosting with streaks of blue coloring across the top.
  • Blue frosting in a white bowl.

Recipe Faqs

Why does my frosting have little bubbles or air pockets?

The frosting was over whipped if it has many little holes or air pockets.

The frosting will still taste delicious, but will not have the same look as a smoother frosting.

To eliminate extra bubbles, use a strong wooden spoon and stir the frosting, pushing the frosting against the side of the bowl. This will help smash out the bubbles or air pockets. This takes a lot of muscle power!

Can I make this frosting ahead of time?

Yes, you can make ahead of time. Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to one week.

To use, remove from fridge and bring to room temperature. Stir well before using. You may need to add a bit more milk if the texture is too thick.

What temperature will this frosting hold up in?

The temperature and humidity will affect this frosting, but it should be fine in 75-80 degree temperatures.

Any warmer and you will want to decrease the amount of butter and replace with equal amounts of shortening.

Do not place decorated items in direct sunlight.

A swirl of piped frosting on a yellow cake.

More frosting recipes

Making your own frosting isn't difficult and the results are delicious. If you are looking for more recipes, I also have a Lemon Buttercream, a Chocolate Buttercream,  and a  Pumpkin Spice Buttercream. 

Having a variety of recipes makes it easy to match to your favorite cake or cupcake.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop

If you loved this recipe you'll LOVE all the others in this category. Check out all my desserts here!

  • Blueberry Lemon Bundt Cake
  • Raspberry Brownies
  • Carrot Cookies with Orange Glaze
  • Cowboy Cookies

This recipe was originally published in May 2016. The pictures and tips have been updated.

A yellow cupcake topped with a swirl of frosting.

Buttercream Frosting

Kathy
Buttercream frosting rich in taste and perfect for piping. 
5 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 15 mins
Total Time 15 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 5 cups
Calories 351 kcal

Equipment

  • Stand Mixer
  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 cup shortening
  • 2 pounds powdered sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • 3-4 Tablespoons milk

Instructions
 

  • In a stand mixer, cream butter and shortening together.
  • Mix in powdered sugar. I add half at a time, mix and then add remaining sugar. Mixture will be thick.
  • Add vanilla and 2 tablespoons of milk. Mix
  • Continue adding milk until desired consistency.

Notes

This recipe will frost 24 cupcakes or one, 9 inch layer cake. The amount of frosting used will depend on the piping. 
Tips
  • If frosting is too thick, stir in a bit more milk. Just add a little at a time.
  • Keep leftover frosting covered in fridge for up to a week. Bring to room temperature and stir before using.
  • If your powdered sugar has lumps, sift before using.
  • Do not overwhip the frosting or you may get little air bubbles.
  • Food coloring may be added after the frosting is completely mixed. I use gel food coloring rather than liquid food coloring. The colors are more vibrant and it won't thin your frosting.
  • This recipe may be doubled.
  • For warmer weather use, decrease the amount of butter and replace with shortening.
  • If you need your frosting to be pure white, you will want to use an imitation clear vanilla.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25cupCalories: 351kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 1gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 83mgPotassium: 7mgSugar: 45gVitamin A: 287IUCalcium: 6mgIron: 1mg
Keyword buttercream frosting, buttercream recipe, cake decorating frosting, icing recipe
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Manali @ CookWithManali says

    May 27, 2016 at 11:59 am

    yup it does look perfect! yum!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 28, 2016 at 5:41 am

      🙂

      Reply
  2. mira says

    May 27, 2016 at 8:24 am

    That's exactly how I make it! The cupcakes look delicious!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 28, 2016 at 5:41 am

      It was super delicious!

      Reply
  3. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

    May 26, 2016 at 7:14 pm

    That icing on those cupcakes looks just perfect Kathy! I'll need to give this recipe a try. Thanks for sharing. Hope you have a great holiday weekend.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 26, 2016 at 7:30 pm

      Thanks, Mary Ann! I am looking forward to the long weekend! Enjoy yours too!

      Reply
  4. Fran @ G'day Souffle' says

    May 26, 2016 at 3:15 pm

    Oh, I'll bookmark this recipe for the next time I need frosting (icing). I just saw someone make a carrot cake last night on the Master Chef series- this icing recipe would go well with that cake!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 26, 2016 at 7:31 pm

      I love carrot cake! This would work well with it!

      Reply
  5. karrie @ Tasty Ever After says

    May 26, 2016 at 1:19 pm

    5 stars
    Buttercream is the best frosting ever! I could eat that stuff just in a bowl with a big spoon for breakfast 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 26, 2016 at 7:41 pm

      For Breakfast??? You are a frosting lover!

      Reply
  6. Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says

    May 26, 2016 at 2:35 am

    Oh my gosh! I am so much in LOVE with that first click of yours. This buttercream frosting looks so good and perfect. This sure would make every cake or cupcake more beautiful and delicious. YUMMY! Thanks for this lovely share!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 26, 2016 at 7:43 pm

      Thanks, Anu! 🙂 It's what tops all my cakes and cupcakes!

      Reply
  7. Miriam @londonkitchendiaries.com says

    May 25, 2016 at 11:35 pm

    A nice buttercream topping makes every cake look pretty! Great to have a classic buttercream recipe - thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 26, 2016 at 7:44 pm

      It's the dressing that every cake needs.

      Reply
  8. Thalia @ butter and brioche says

    May 25, 2016 at 10:55 pm

    love a classic buttercream. thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 26, 2016 at 7:44 pm

      You bet! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Laura ~ Raise Your Garden says

    May 25, 2016 at 5:55 pm

    Before I forget, I absolutely LOVE that first shot of the frosting coming out of the pipette and the blurred cupcakes in the back. Very photogenic and Pinworthy!!!! Frosting is not something I make often but when I need it, it gets googled a ton. I made my own frosting for my daughters Birthday cupcakes for school and it bombed! Guess I chose the wrong recipe to use off Pinterest. I'll be back when I make frosting soon to try yours Kathy!!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 25, 2016 at 7:43 pm

      Thanks, Laura! Frosting can be finicky. Find one you love and you'll stick with it. Let me know if you give my recipe a try!

      Reply
  10. Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says

    May 25, 2016 at 5:12 pm

    Oh man. My diet just tanked. I do love me some buttercream!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 25, 2016 at 7:44 pm

      This definitely isn't diet food!

      Reply
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I'm Kathy, a busy working mom who loves to cook from scratch, grow a garden, and raise farm animals. Take a look around and find all my recipes, gardening tips, and country living antics..

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