American Buttercream Frosting

A versatile, sweet buttercream frosting made with just 5 ingredients! This is the perfect frosting for birthday cakes, wedding cakes, cookies and more! Yields: 4 1/2 cups frosting

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15

Total Time 15

Servings

Calories 309kcal

Author Courtney Whitmore

Equipment

1 electric mixer

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
3-4 cups powdered sugar aka confectioner's sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons milk (or heavy cream)

Instructions

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter for 2 minutes on medium-high speed.
Adjust speed to low and add powdered sugar to butter, 1 cup at a time, until well incorporated. Return to medium speed and beat for addition 2 minutes.
Add salt, vanilla extract and milk (can substitute heavy cream). Beat on medium speed for 3 additional minutes.
If you want to thicken your buttercream frosting (if you plan to pipe flowers, for example), you can add additional powdered sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, until desired thickness is reached).
If you want a looser frosting (if you plan to spread it on cookies, for example), then add more milk or cream, 1 tablespoons at a time until desired consistency is reached.

Notes

This vanilla American buttercream frosting recipe yields 4 1/2 cups frosting. This is perfect for frosting a two-layer 8 or 9" cake or 12 cupcakes if you swirl on frosting with a piping tip or 24 cupcakes if you use less frosting and simply spread it on top of the cupcakes.
Be sure your butter is at room temperature. You want your finger to a leaven an indent when pressed against the butter.

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