Super creamy and fluffy, not too sweet - this is quite possibly the BEST whipped buttercream frosting recipe ever... A must try!
Whipped Buttercream Frosting
Call me crazy, but I've never been much of a fan of frosting. More often than not, I scrape as much of it off my cupcake or slice of cake as possible - kids LOVE to sit next to me at parties!
But this whipped buttercream frosting? Oh, this buttercream frosting... I personally think it is THE best buttercream frosting recipe. EVER. And I don't take calling any recipe "the best" lightly.
Vanilla Whipped Buttercream Frosting Ingredients
Now I realize that there are really only so many ways to make buttercream frosting. A simple Google search yields thousands upon thousands of results.
But a truly delicious buttercream icing is as much about the technique, as it is about the ingredients. We'll talk technique in just a moment, but let's begin with the ingredients for this whipped buttercream (and there are just 4 of them!)...
Start with fresh, high-quality ingredients: softened salted butter, heavy whipping cream, pure vanilla extract, and confectioners' sugar.
Yes, I did specify salted butter - I prefer to use salted butter in my buttercream icing recipe. However, you should note that the salt content can vary by brand of butter.
My all-time fave is the Horizon Organic brand, but the Kirkland organic butter from Costco is an excellent option, as well. In fact, I strongly suspect that it may actually BE the Horizon brand repackaged for bulk sale. Feel free to experiment to find your favorite, though!
Don't have salted butter on hand? As an alternative, you can also use unsalted butter and add about ⅛ teaspoon of table salt to the recipe.
Also, I stay away from adding shortening. Sure, it's useful for helping the buttercream frosting hold its shape better in warm weather. But I find it creates an oily texture and dilutes the flavor. NOT what we want in a dreamy, fluffy buttercream!
How To Make Whipped Cream Buttercream Frosting
Now we get to the technique... Whipped buttercream is the name of the game - super creamy & fluffy and not too sweet!
The key to what I consider the best whipped buttercream frosting recipe ever starts with perfectly softened butter. We're not talking room temperature, but you should be able to leave an impression in it fairly easily.
Allow plenty of time for it to reach this consistency, especially in cooler weather. And whatever you do, please do not use the microwave to soften it - 99.9% of the time it will get too soft, and it's impossible to recover it at that point.
Easy Whipped Buttercream Frosting In 4 Steps
Follow these four simple steps to produce a delicious homemade buttercream icing:
Whip Butter
Add your softened butter to a stand mixer and beat it with a flat paddle for about three minutes on medium.
Add Powdered Sugar
Turn the mixer off and add the confectioners' sugar. Mix on low until thoroughly incorporated.
Add Vanilla Extract & Cream
When the butter and confectioners' sugar start to create a dough-like ball, you can add the vanilla extract and 3 tablespoons of heavy cream. Whip on medium-high for about three minutes.
Adjust Consistency
Continue to add more heavy cream by the tablespoon until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. Less cream equals thicker frosting and more cream creates a thinner frosting.
Voila! Is this an easy buttercream frosting recipe, or what?! If you've ever wanted to learn how to make whipped icing like Walmart, this is as close as you can get - but BETTER, in my opinion!!!
Best Buttercream Frosting
For a batch of frosting that's the consistency of what's shown in these photos, I used a total of 4 tablespoons of cream. It was super creamy and fluffy, the perfect consistency for piping with a large tip onto my cupcakes.
Printable Recipe ↓
Best Whipped Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 cup salted butter, 2 sticks, softened
- 4 cups confectioners sugar, sifted
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 3-5 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
- Using a paddle beater, beat the softened butter on medium speed for about 3 minutes or until it's a pale yellow color.
- Add sifted confectioners sugar, and stir on low until incorporated.
- Add vanilla extract and 3 tablespoons of heavy cream. Beat on medium-high for 3 minutes or until light and fluffy, stopping to scrape the sides once or twice.
- If a thinner frosting is desired, add additional heavy cream 1 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
Recipe Notes
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Whipped Buttercream Icing Recipe Variations
I've had a number of requests for variations on this whipped buttercream frosting recipe, so I thought I'd start listing them here for easy access as I publish them. If you have a request, please contact me or leave a comment below!
- Caramel Buttercream Frosting
- Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
- Chocolate Buttercream Frosting - coming soon!
- Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting - coming soon!
- Lemon Buttercream Frosting - coming soon!
- Coconut Buttercream Frosting - coming soon!
- Peanut Butter Buttercream Frosting - coming soon!
- Almond Buttercream Frosting - coming soon!
Above all, have fun with this recipe!
One last note - I used regular pure vanilla extract in this batch, which is why the frosting has a creamy color to it. If you prefer a truer white buttercream, you'll want to look for clear vanilla extract.
Ridiculously Easy Royal Icing Recipe
Looking for a stiffer icing for your sugar cookies? Try this ridiculously easy royal icing recipe! No egg whites, no meringue powder, just four ingredients whipped up with a hand or stand mixer, means you can get down to decorating cookies with your kids with less mess and fuss…
Did you make this recipe?
I'd love to see how your whipped buttercream frosting turns out... Tag me @Unsophisticook on Instagram or use the hashtag #Unsophisticook so I can check it out. Enjoy!
kathy ryder says
This was just what i needed to find,at last minute my store bought icing wasnt any good,luckily i did have conf sugar and added a smidge of peanut butter,its still quite sweet is there anything else i may do so as its not that sweet.and i love sweets,thanks
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Hi Kathy! Did you use salted or unsalted butter? If you used unsalted, you probably need to add a touch of salt. Start with 1/8 teaspoon of table salt.
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says
There can never be too much frosting. Especially when it's a great buttercream! This looks delish!
Erika @ The Hopeless Housewife says
I could eat buttercream frosting right out of the bowl!
krista says
It would be good for use in heat right? Can it sit out room temperature using heavy wipping cream??? I have always used water instead of milk to prevent it from spoiling?
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
I prefer not to use shortening, but in warmer weather, you may need to use it to prevent the frosting from melting — or just try to keep them in a cool indoor environment until serving.
Sugar is a preservative, so letting your cake or cupcakes sit out at room temperature shouldn't be a problem!
Andrea says
Do you have to use a stand mixer? Is there a substitute? Thanks!
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
To be honest, I haven't made it with anything but my stand mixer, but I don't see why it wouldn't work with a hand mixer. You may have to increase the whipping times a little from what I've listed above though.
Angie says
Be careful about using a hand mixer to make frosting! I tore a muscle in my shoulder and burnt out a motor in a hand mixer making frosting for 48 cupcakes last year - $1200 worth of physical therapy later, I now borrow my mother in law's stand mixer until I can afford to buy my own!!
Tina Michelle says
I use a hand mixer all the time
Vanessa says
Thanks for sharing. I will try it for my own birthday cake this month =)
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
My birthday is this month too — on the 18th! And I fully plan on making a cake and frosting it with this. Happy Birthday!
Cupcake says
This is just a normal buttercream lol!
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Perhaps it's similar to a recipe you've used previously, but I've tried a number of different buttercream recipes. Many call for milk instead of heavy cream, and most use unsalted butter. I prefer the slightly salty-sweet combination that is achieved with the salted butter.
cyndi king says
Is this frosting like a whipped cream texture or normal?
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
It's a very whipped, fluffy texture, Cyndi. Add less heavy cream or even substitute milk for a denser frosting, or you can add more heavy cream to make it even fluffier. As I mentioned, the images above are from a batch where I used 4 tablespoons of heavy cream.
crystal says
could i use whipping cream instead of heavy cream?
Kristen says
We've been playing with buttercream at our house lately I recently tried a recipe from Savory Sweet Life that was so good. I love the addition of cream instead of milk to this one though! Yum!
Amanda says
Great tips! I love a good buttercream!
Angie says
I still haven't mastered buttercream, I've got to try your recipe!
Paula - bell'alimento says
I could eat buttercream with a spoon.
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
This sounds soooo good. Haven't made buttercream in so long but I love it!
Jayme C. says
YUM! This is almost exactly the recipe my Gram gave to me years and years ago - she just added a pinch of salt to the recipe. I adjust it slightly on occasion by replacing the heavy cream with my favorite flavored coffee creamer. This buttercream is my favorite way to dress up cupcakes & sugar cookies. :)
Irene Coyne says
Hi Jayme C just came upon your name and it Caught my eye.can you tell me how it came about?it may seem like a strange request but I have a daughter who turned 9 yesterday and we named her Jayme her second name is Cookie after my sister that I nicknamed Cookie after the Cookie Monster but our sir name is Coyne so she too is Jayme C.so great name
From Irene
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch says
Gorgeous frosting, Tara. We are definite buttercream frosting lovers here, too!