This simple buttercream frosting recipe from scratch tastes amazing. It's easy to make and can be whipped up in just a few minutes. Plus, it yields a large batch so you can frost plenty of cakes or cupcakes.
Actually, you will have enough to fluffy frosting to decorate about 7 dozen cupcakes: 10 cups of frosting.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Kitchen Essentials
Mixer
Country Bowls
Tiered Tray
Hand Mixer
Prevent your screen from going dark
Ingredients
8OuncesButter2 sticks softened
8OuncesShorteningsoftened
5CupsPowdered Sugaralso called confectioner’s sugar
1/2CupMilkor Heavy Cream
1TeaspoonsVanilla Extractcan use clear vanilla extract
Food Coloring as desired
Instructions
You can make this with a hand mixer; however, I prefer my stand mixer as you will be letting this mix for quite a long time to get the ultra-fluffy buttercream.
With a paddle attachment, add softened butter and shortening to the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat the butter and shortening on medium until well combined and lump free, 5 minutes.
8 Ounces Butter, 8 Ounces Shortening
Adjust the mixer to low speed and begin adding the powdered sugar a cup at a time. Once the sugar is all added, let the mixer continue to mix for another minute. This helps ensure that the frosting is lump free.
5 Cups Powdered Sugar
Keeping the mixer on the lowest speed, slowly pour in the milk, then vanilla extract.
1/2 Cup Milk, 1 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract, Food Coloring as desired
Once the liquid ingredients have been added, lower the bowl, and scrape the sides to make sure that all the ingredients are getting mixed in.
Raise the bowl and set the mixer to a high speed and mix for 5 minutes.
Use this frosting as is or divide into smaller portions and add food coloring.
Notes
Icing Recipe Variations: Change the Buttercream Flavors.
This easy recipe can be infused with many different flavors to accompany your baked goods.Tasty Pro Tip. Put your homemade buttercream inside your cupcakes. Try using one flavor as a cupcake filling and a different flavor on top.Add your flavoring of choice when adding the liquid ingredients. Make sure to fully incorporate into the frosting mixture.Here are a few ideas.Buttercream. 4 ounces of Nutella. Peanut Butter Buttercream. 4 ounces of Peanut Butter. Lemon and Orange Buttercream. 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice and 6 tablespoons fresh orange juice. Cherry Buttercream. 5 Tablespoons of Maraschino Cherry Juice. Caramel Buttercream. Add 4 ounces of store-bought caramel sauce.
How to Store Buttercream Icing?
Store leftover buttercream or make this ahead of time and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to two weeks. When you are ready to use, just let it come to room temperature. Re-whip to bring it back to a fluffy consistency before using.Freeze in an airtight container up to two months. Thaw and bring to room temperature before re-whipping.