Buttercream Frosting

Name: Buttercream Frosting
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 cup butter; 1 cup shortening; 2 pounds powdered sugar; 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla; 3-4 Tablespoons milk

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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.

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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.

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.

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!

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