This is the Best Vanilla Frosting Recipe you will ever make! It's ultra fluffy and perfect for spreading on cakes or piping out on cupcakes.

This frosting is perfect on my One-Bowl Vanilla Cake or my Perfect Sugar Cookies, topped with sprinkles.

Close up shot of white frosting on a whisk.

Homemade vanilla buttercream frosting is crazy easy to make and you only need 2 basic ingredients: butter and sugar. Add vanilla and a splash of heavy cream for the irresistible rich flavor. This Fluffy Vanilla Frosting starts with butter creamed for 7 minutes, for the best result. You can make different variations by adding flavors with spices, instant coffee or caramel sauce. This frosting is perfect for cakes, cupcakes and cookies.

Ingredients:

unsalted butter
powdered sugar
vanilla
heavy whipping cream

Instructions:

Start by beating room-temperature butter for 7 minutes.
Add powdered sugar, a little bit at a time, and beat until frosting is fluffy.
Stir in vanilla and heavy cream and beat for 1 minute.

Overhead shot of frosting in pink mixing bowl, more frosting on spatula next to bowl.

Variations:

best vanilla: use vanilla beans for the best flavor
citrus frosting: add zest and citrus extract
spiced buttercream: add cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg
mocha frosting: add instant coffee granules
caramel frosting: stir in caramel sauce
peanut butter frosting: use half of the amount of butter and substitute the rest with peanut butter

More dessert recipes:

For more delicious sweet treat recipes, feel free to browse our Dessert Category.

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Best Vanilla Frosting recipe

Author: Anna

This is the Best Vanilla Frosting Recipe you will ever make! It's ultra fluffy and perfect for spreading on cakes or piping out on cupcakes. Add different extracts, citrus zest, coffee granules or caramel sauce for different flavor variations.

5 from 9 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 9

Total Time 9

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings cups

Calories 438 kcal

Ingredients

▢ ½ cup unsalted butter soft
▢ 1.75 - 2 cups powdered sugar sifted
▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢ 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream

Instructions

Place soft butter in mixing bowl and beat with a hand mixer for 7 minutes.
Add powdered sugar, ½ cup at a time and mix in well.
Add vanilla and heavy cream and whip for 1 to 2 minutes.
The frosting should be fluffy and airy.
Store frosting in fridge until ready to use or spread on cake or cupcakes right away.

Notes

The butter has to be really soft for best results.

Nutrition

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Comments

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Robin says

June 07, 2023 at 5:07 pm

I loved this recipe! My family loves me making this recipe. I add large dollop of smooth peanut butter, 2 tab. less of the butter ( because you get the fat from the peanut butter). Smother a homemade German choc. cake with it and it disappears. Yummy!!!!

George says

November 02, 2021 at 5:07 pm

Is the recipe for a single or double layer cake?

- Robin says
  
  June 07, 2023 at 5:09 pm
  
  I doubled this recipe when I made it. I wanted it to look like store bought. Thick and fluffy.
  
Toni says

May 07, 2019 at 10:10 am

Thank you so much for sharing the recipe! I love that it was so easy to make!! My new favorite frosting recipe!

Katerina says

May 07, 2019 at 10:09 am

Oh wow, this looks SO good!! A must try!!

Rachael Yerkes says

May 07, 2019 at 9:45 am

This really is the best!

Tanya Schroeder says

May 07, 2019 at 6:45 am

The PERFECT frosting!

- Kelly D says
  
  November 14, 2020 at 2:29 pm
  
  Agreed:)
  
Valentina says

May 06, 2019 at 10:37 pm

I love how fluffy the frosting is. This will be great with the chocolate cupcakes we are planning to make.