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!
fara valdes says
Thank you so very much for sharing this recipe. I tried it and everyone that tasted the cake I made loved it. I will continue to use this recipe.
Mariam says
looks yumm how long can this frosting kept outside(room temperature)
Annette Naranjo says
Hello!
This this buttercream require to be refrigerated?
Erin says
Does this require refrigeration? Wondering if I make these the night before do I need to keep them in the fridge until the party the next day.
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Nope, no refrigeration required — the sugar acts as a natural preservative!
Ashlyn says
Hey there! I've been burning the internet trying to find a good frosting recipe, aaaand I think this might be it!
But... I have one question. Is it okay if you add food colouring? I'm shore it will be fine, but it HAS to be perfect!! =)
Alma says
Will this buttercream recipe give me a smooth finish?
I'm planning to use it on my son's wedding cake.
Arjay says
Can you use this buttercream frosting and smooth it out to look like fondant on a cake? I want a buttercream frosting that's yummy but can look like fondant.
Thanks.
Bee says
Great Taste, sweet & yummy. However, it's a very thin frosting when you add 3Tbs of heavy cream. Start with 1 & add as you need it.
Kathy says
Loved it. I have been in the restaurant and catering business for a long time - I used this for the topper on the cupcake tower for my granddaughter's first birthday. It was delicious.
linda grimsley says
Will this buttercream recipe work for piping roses on a icing nail???
janet marin says
please add me to you web site. Thanks.
Addy says
Recipe looks amazing. Have a question regarding the powdered sugar...did you use the whole 2 lbs (32 oz) bag for this recipe? Many thanks!!!
Renee says
Do cakes need to be kept in the fridge when using this icing?
SF says
Finally someone else who uses salted butter and a lot of vanilla!! Your recipe is very similar to mine, with the exception of heavy whipping. I'll be trying it next!!
Dina says
This has been my go to recipe for along time now!! It works great and tastes great too :)
Jola says
Hi :) I am wondering can I use for the cake under fondant ?
Aunt Jewel says
Yes you can use the butter cream under the fondant. This is the same recipe I use