Classic Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

A few weeks ago my sister made vanilla cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting for a birthday party for two of her daughters. I love icing, and this was one of the best icing recipes anyone in our family has made (in my opinion at least). Pictured below are the cupcakes she made. She found the recipe here (she used milk). I hope to try this recipe soon!

Classic Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Classic American Buttercream frosting. This recipe uses powdered sugar, butter, vanilla and milk. This is a great recipe for decorating and piping on cupcakes and cake.

1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks or ½ pound), softened (but not melted, ideal texture should be like ice cream)

3-4 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted

¼ teaspoon table salt

1 Tablespoon vanilla extract (use clear vanilla extract if you have it)

Up to 4 Tablespoons milk or heavy cream

Beat butter for a few minutes with a mixer with the paddle attachment on medium speed. Add 3 cups of powdered sugar and turn your mixer on the lowest speed (so the sugar doesn’t blow everywhere) until the sugar has been incorporated with the butter. Increase mixer speed to medium and add vanilla extract, salt, and 2 tablespoons of milk/cream and beat for 3 minutes. If your frosting needs a more stiff consistency, add remaining sugar. If your frosting needs to be thinned out, add remaining milk, 1 tablespoons at a time.

Photos by JoJo