• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Small Farm Big Life logo

  • Home
  • Resources
  • Free Guides
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Gluten-Free Recipes
  • Resources
  • Free Guides
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Easy Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

    Mar 26, 2020 · Leave a Comment

    Sharing is caring!

    6 shares
    • Yummly
    • Share4
    cake frosted with easy vanilla buttercream frosting

    This recipe makes the best easy vanilla buttercream frosting! I love the whipped texture for cakes and for piping on frosting. It's so simple to make homemade, fluffy frosting. This recipe shows you how to make this classic smooth frosting.

    It's very important to take your butter out of the refrigerator at least an hour before making the frosting. You want it at room temperature so it mixes together and makes a light, fluffy frosting.

    To prevent clumps of confectioners' sugar I pour the sugar through a mesh strainer and work through with a spoon into the mixing bowl. This will make the confectioner's sugar airy and help keep your frosting fluffy.

    a cake frosted with easy vanilla buttercream frosting

    How do you make vanilla buttercream icing from scratch?

    It is really simple. The key is to make sure your butter is at room temperature. It's best to take it out of the refrigerator at least an hour before you want to make the frosting.

    If you try to soften the butter in the microwave it will become warm and too soft. This will make the frosting thinner and less fluffy. You also want to make sure you put the confectioners' sugar through a mesh strainer so you remove all lumps.

    User your mixer and whisk attachment mix together the sugar and butter for 3-4 minutes until smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla and 1 tablespoon for whipping cream. Beat for another minute. If needed add another 1 tablespoons of whipping cream to make the frosting spreadable.

    Which KitchenAid attachment should I use for buttercream frosting?

    The whisk attachment whips the frosting making it fluffy and airy. It's really hard with the paddle attachment to get the same light consistency you get with the whisk attachment.

    I know some people don't like to clean the whisk attachment, but if you spray it will hot water as soon as you are done using it the clean up is simple and easy.

    Where should I store buttercream frosting?

    I like to use my buttercream frosting as soon as I make it. I put a crumb layer on my cake, freeze it for 30 minutes and then finish frosting. While the cake is in the freezer I leave the buttercream frosting on the counter at room temperature.

    If you have leftover frosting or aren't going to use it that same day I put the frosting in a sealed container and leave on the counter overnight. If you need to store the frosting for longer you can put it in the refrigerator, but will need to take it out several hours or overnight before using it.

    If you have refrigerated the frosting you might also need to put it back in your mixer with the whisk attachment after it comes back up to room temperature to get it back to a fluffy texture. Overall, it's easier to make and use the frosting the same day.

    If you like this recipe you might also enjoy:

    Gluten Free Lemon Shortbread Bars
    Gluten Free Cinnamon Coffee Cake
    Paleo Chocolate Cupcakes
    Gluten Free Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
    Gluten Free Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

    I get my ingredients from Thrive Market. Thrive Market has been a game changer for me eating gluten free. They have so many options I can’t get at my rural grocery stores! Use this link to get 25% off your first order!

    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

    Easy Vanilla Buttercream Frosting


    • Author: Elaine VanVleck
    • Total Time: 10 minutes
    • Yield: 4 cups 1x
    • Diet: Gluten Free
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    This recipe makes the best easy vanilla buttercream frosting! I love the whipped texture for cakes and for piping on frosting. It's so simple to make homemade, fluffy frosting. This recipe shows you how to make this classic smooth frosting. 


    Ingredients

    Scale

    3 cups Confectioners' Sugar
    1 cup Unsalted Butter, at room temperature
    1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
    1-2 Tbsp. Whipping Cream


    Instructions

    In the bowl of your stand mixer using the whisk attachment cream together the confectioners' sugar and butter 3-4 minutes until creamy. 

    Add the vanilla and 1 tablespoon whipping cream. Beat for another minute until they are incorporated. If needed to make the frosting spreadable add 1 more tablespoon whipping cream and mix together. 

    Notes

    I like to use the frosting immediately while it's at room temperature. You can store in a sealed container on the counter overnight if you are going to frost your cake the next day.

    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Category: Frosting
    • Method: Mixing
    • Cuisine: Gluten Free

    Keywords: buttercream, frosting, vanilla, easy, best, for cake, whipped, for piping, homemade, fluffy, simple, how to make, classic, perfect, thick, smooth

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @smallfarmbiglife on Instagram and hashtag it #smallfarmbiglife

    More Gluten Free Recipes

    • Gluten Free Easter Dessert Recipes
    • Frozen Cranberry Margarita Mocktail
    • Easy Gluten Free Christmas Recipes
    • Gluten Free Ground Beef Pasta Casserole

    Sharing is caring!

    6 shares
    • Yummly
    • Share4

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    Primary Sidebar

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Mail
    Follow Me on LTK


    Easy Meals Recipes

    • Gluten Free Instant Pot Chili Mac and Cheese
    • Gluten Free Taco Casserole
    • Gluten Free Cowboy Baked Beans
    • Gluten Free Walking Taco Casserole
    • Gluten Free Creamy Beef and Mushroom Pasta
    • Gluten Free Instant Pot Chicken & Dumplings
    • Instant Pot Mexican Style Beef & Rice
    • Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan Pasta Casserole
    • Gluten Free One Pot Hamburger Helper Copycat
    • Gluten Free Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy
    • Gluten Free Air Fryer Fajitas
    • Gluten Free Sloppy Joe Casserole

    Footer

    Disclaimer:

    “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.”

    Footer

    back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Shop my Amazon Page
    • Follow me on LTK

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Media Kit
    • About Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    I may get commissions for purchases made through links on this site.

    Copyright © 2022 Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme