Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

This buttercream frosting recipe is very easy to make and always turns out light and fluffy. Not overly sweet, rich and creamy buttercream icing is the perfect topping for all kinds of cakes or cupcakes.

Ingredients

3 cups confectioner’s sugar

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/4 tsp salt

1 to 2 T heavy whipping cream

Directions

1. In a mixer, combine confectioner’s sugar and salt.
2. Add butter and cream on low speed until well combined.
3. Increase speed to medium-high and continue beating for 3 to 4 minutes. Frosting should get light and fluffy.
4. Add vanilla extract and cream; beat for another minute until it is the right consistency for spreading.

If you want to keep your frosting as white as possible, you can purchase clear or colorless vanilla. The most important thing is to be sure you only use the best quality ingredients. A buttercream icing is going to rely on the quality of butter and vanilla you use. If you use an inferior imitation vanilla flavoring, your buttercream icing will certainly not be of the same quality. After all, vanilla buttercream icing has two essential ingredients – vanilla and butter, make them count.