Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

This vanilla buttercream frosting recipe is light, airy, and has a strong vanilla flavor!

Prep time: PT6M

Total time: PT6M

Rating

4.46 stars (99 reviews)

vanilla buttercream, vanilla frosting recipe

1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
3 cups confectioners' sugar (add more until it reaches your preferred consistency)
4 teaspoons vanilla extract (Try using vanilla bean paste instead for a stronger vanilla flavor.)
1/2 teaspoon salt

Beat butter on high speed with an electric mixer for about three minutes until light and airy.
Mix in powdered sugar a little bit at a time.
Add vanilla extract and salt and continue to beat for another minute.
If desired, add more vanilla to taste or more confectioners' sugar to make the buttercream frosting stiffer.

Emily on 2026-04-23 (5 stars):
This was amazingly light-feeling with all the flavor of classic frosting. I've never whipped the butter like that but wow what a difference. Definitely saving this one for repeated future use :D
M on 2021-08-14 (4 stars):
My MIL used to decorate cakes, and her American buttercream was ridiculously fluffy and light. Even though she used vegetable shortening so the frosting didn’t melt. After she made the frosting like normal, she used the whip attachment on her Kitchenaid and whipped the frosting for 5 minutes. It still piped beautifully, but it was lighter and less sweet because of all the air in it. It even froze well but it didn’t stay as fluffy.