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5 from 1 vote
Buttercream frosting piped onto cupcakes on a grey tray on a wooden table.
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Buttercream Frosting
Prep Time
15 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 

Sometimes the buttercream frosting is the best part of any cupcake or cake, so let's make sure it is delicious. This easy recipe only has 4 ingredients and takes minutes to whip up the creamiest homemade icing so will make!

Course: Desserts/Sweets
Cuisine: French, American
Keyword: Easter, Homemade Baking, Classic desserts, cupcakes, Chocolate Icing, Bundt Cakes, holiday entertaining, cake topping
Servings: 12 Makes 2 1/2 cups
Calories: 337 kcal
Author: The Blue Jean Chef, Meredith Laurence
Ingredients
  • 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 4 cups sifted confectioners sugar
  • 1 tablespoon light cream 2-4 tablespoons more as needed
Chocolate Buttercream
  • 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate melted and cooled
Instructions
  1. Place the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer with the wire whip attachment or in a large bowl with a hand mixer and beat until it is light and fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl regularly. This should take at least 5 minutes. Beat in the vanilla extract.
  2. Sift the confectioners sugar to ensure there are no lumps at all. Add the sugar, one cup at a time, to the whipped butter, beating well between additions.
  3. Add the cream slowly until the right consistency is reached. For chocolate buttercream, beat in the melted chocolate.
  4. Store in the refrigerator, but make sure the frosting comes to room temperature before trying to ice a cake. Room temperature frosting will spread more easily. Also, give the frosting a stir before trying to ice your cake. That will also make it fluffier and easier to spread.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

This recipe will frost 12 cupcakes. To frost a two layer cake, you will need to double the recipe. For piping decoration on the cake, I suggest making the recipe 3x to make sure you have enough fosting. 

Nutrition Facts
Buttercream Frosting
Amount Per Serving
Calories 337 Calories from Fat 162
% Daily Value*
Fat 18g28%
Saturated Fat 12g60%
Cholesterol 42mg14%
Sodium 4mg0%
Potassium 45mg1%
Carbohydrates 44g15%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 42g47%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 485IU10%
Calcium 10mg1%
Iron 0.5mg3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.