Essential Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

This essential recipe for Vanilla Buttercream Frosting is a perfect basic covering for any cake or cupcake. See how I tried it with my Lavender Vanilla Buttercream Frosted White Cake Cupcakes.

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups powdered sugar 375g
• 3 Tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Beat butter with an electric mixer until creamy. Sprinkle salt over butter and stir again to combine.
2. Gradually, about 1/2 cup at a time, add powdered sugar, waiting until each cup is completely mixed before adding more.
3. With mixer on medium-low speed, add the heavy cream, one tablespoon at a time. Once ingredients are well incorporated, gradually increase speed to high and beat for about 30 seconds.
4. Add vanilla extract and stir well.
5. Pipe or spread frosting over cooled cupcakes. Top with sprinkles, if desired. This frosting will be fine at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerated in an airtight container for about a week.

NOTE: You may need to double this recipe to cover your double layer cake, depending on how generously you like to frost. I found this to make plenty for 1 one-layer 8″ cake and 12 cupcakes.

Yields: frosting to top 12-24 cupcakes, or one 8″ or 9″ layer cake or 9×13 sheet cake

Adapted from: Sugar Spun Run