How to make Vanilla Frosting
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A baking staple, this tutorial showing how to make Vanilla Frosting will be your go-to! Whether you are frosting cupcakes, layer cakes or anything in between, you’ll love how easy this recipe is!
Step-by-step photos and instructions are below, but you can jump right to the recipe card if you wish!
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I love to make my own pantry staples and enjoy knowing “I made that”, as well as the amazing taste of homemade food (like my homemade chocolate syrup). It is usually cheaper to make things at home, and you avoid trips to the store, too!
When you have done a great job making a homemade (or box mix) cakes or and cupcakes, you want to top it with some amazing frosting, right?
Instead of grabbing a store bought container of vanilla frosting, there is a much tastier and super easy way to frost your baked goods.
A few simple ingredients and you are well on your way to elevating your homemade deliciousness!
I love the speed of this recipe, as it really is a 5 minute job to whip this up.
Use this recipe to frost my Easy Chocolate Cake, or try my fresh Strawberry Buttercream. You will also love this cream cheese frosting I use on Fruit Pizza!
Want a recipe for chocolate frosting instead? I have you covered!
Why you’ll love this Vanilla Frosting Recipe
- 5 ingredients (2 of them optional – milk and salt)
- Easy to make
- Delicious!
I have included step by step photos and instructions, as well as tips and tricks in the post. If you’d rather skip all that, scoot right on down to the recipe card located at the bottom of the post.
Tips
Use softened butter to make this icing recipe. We do this so the frosting is super smooth. It won’t cream properly if it is cold, so do take the time to get this right.
How to thicken vanilla frosting
Add a little milk to the frosting until you get the right consistency. If your frosting is too thin, add a little extra powdered sugar.
What to do with leftovers
Cover and store in the refrigerator until needed. This will be good for several days. You’ll need to bring it to almost room temperature before using (or it will be too hard to pipe).
Substitutions/Additions
This frosting recipe is easy to color. Just add a few drops of food coloring and mix well.
You can use heavy cream in place of your milk if you prefer.
This is a vanilla buttercream frosting – you can use almond extract instead of vanilla extract if you prefer, or even colorless raspberry for a sweet zing!
Key Recipe Ingredients
Remember: this is just an overview and the why of the ingredients I choose here. The full list of ingredients and amounts is found in the printable recipe card below.
- Powdered sugar. Also known as confectioners sugar.
- Butter. This should be softened for easy whipping.
- Vanilla Extract.
- Salt. To cut the sweetness if needed.
- Milk. To help with consistency.
How do you make vanilla frosting from scratch?
The full list of ingredients and quantities is found in the printable recipe card below.
Beat the butter and powdered sugar until smooth.
Add the vanilla, and beat 3 minutes.
Beat in the milk until fluffy (using more or less as necessary for the icing to hold it’s shape but be pipeable).
Taste test, and add a pinch of salt if necessary.
Transfer to a piping bag, and frost away!
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How to make Vanilla Frosting
Ingredients
- 2.5 sticks butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- pinch salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Beat 2.5 sticks butter and 3 cups powdered sugar until smooth.
- Add 2 teaspoons vanilla, and beat 3 minutes.
- Beat in 2 tablespoons milk until fluffy (using more or less as necessary for the icing to hold it's shape but be pipeable).
- Taste test, and add a pinch salt if necessary.
- Transfer to a piping bag, and frost away!
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Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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About Kylee Ayotte
I am a born and raised New Zealander (a Kiwi), now living in Phoenix, Arizona. I’m happily married to the love of my life – a hot American boy I met while traveling the world. I’m a mama to 2 awesome little boys and love red things, rugby, cheesecake, and bacon. Mmmmm. Bacon. Meet Kylee
