American Buttercream Frosting
This easy Vanilla American Buttercream Frosting is perfect for cakes and treats. Made with just four ingredients, it's a classic favorite for any dessert lover.
Equipment
- Standing or Hand-Held Mixer with Large Bowl
- Spatula
Ingredients
Butter and Sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks, softened
- 16 oz powdered sugar 1 pound, about 3.5-4 cups
Liquid Ingredients
- 1-2 tablespoon milk or heavy whipping cream up to ¼ cup, optional
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- a pinch salt optional
Instructions
Preparation
- Using a hand held mixer or standing mixer, cream the butter using a paddle or whisk attachment on medium high until pale yellow, about 4-5 minutes. If necessary, half way through scrape down the sides of the bowl and continue mixing.
- Turn off the mixer and add powdered sugar and vanilla. Mix on low for a minute until it incorporates and starts to look crumbly.
- Once crumbly, turn up the speed and continue mixing on medium to medium high, about 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Gauge the consistency. If the frosting is too thick, you can mix in a few tablespoons of milk or cream, ½ tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.
Notes
If using salted butter, omit the added salt in the recipe. Make sure your butter is at room temperature or slightly cooler. If using a mix of butter and shortening, make sure they are both at room temperature so they combine easily. Mix the butter for a good 3-4 minutes before and after adding the powdered sugar. If your powdered sugar is hard or has lumps, sift it to get a smooth lump-free frosting. The frosting will keep up to two weeks in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer in an airtight container.
Nutrition
Serving: 2tablespoonCalories: 147kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 1gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 68mgPotassium: 2mgSugar: 19gVitamin A: 255IUCalcium: 3mgIron: 1mg
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