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Easy Vanilla Buttercream

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on October 1, 2012

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Makes 3 cups

Easy Vanilla Buttercream

Ingredients

20 tablespoons (2½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened2 ½ cups (10 ounces/283 grams) Confectioners' sugar ⅛ teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons heavy cream 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Before You Begin

The buttercream frosting can be refrigerated for up to two days. If refrigerated, let it stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before using. If using a handheld mixer, you will need to increase the mixing times significantly (by at least 50 percent). This recipe can be doubled.

Instructions

  1. Using stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, whip butter on medium-high speed until smooth, about 20 seconds. Add sugar and salt and mix on medium-low speed until most of sugar is moistened, about 45 seconds. Scrape down bowl; add cream and vanilla and whip on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes, scraping down bowl as needed.
Easy Vanilla Buttercream

Easy Vanilla Buttercream

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

30 minutes

Yield

Makes 3 cups

Ingredients

20 tablespoons (2½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 ½ cups (10 ounces/283 grams) Confectioners' sugar
⅛ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Ingredients

20 tablespoons (2½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 ½ cups (10 ounces/283 grams) Confectioners' sugar
⅛ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Ingredients

20 tablespoons (2½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 ½ cups (10 ounces/283 grams) Confectioners' sugar
⅛ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Why This Recipe Works

Traditional European buttercream frosting involves heating eggs and sugar over a pan of simmering water and whipping in butter while carefully monitoring for the correct temperature. Our Easy Vanilla Buttercream recipe is equally delicious and much less fussy. It is also the canvas for almost any variation imaginable.

Before You Begin

The buttercream frosting can be refrigerated for up to two days. If refrigerated, let it stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before using. If using a handheld mixer, you will need to increase the mixing times significantly (by at least 50 percent). This recipe can be doubled.

Instructions

  1. Using stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, whip butter on medium-high speed until smooth, about 20 seconds. Add sugar and salt and mix on medium-low speed until most of sugar is moistened, about 45 seconds. Scrape down bowl; add cream and vanilla and whip on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes, scraping down bowl as needed.

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