A foolproof buttercream frosting recipe with one box powdered sugar, one stick of butter and almost no measuring! Flavor with your favorite extract such as vanilla, almond, lemon, coconut or peppermint!
JUMP TO RECIPEHere’s the thing with buttercream recipes… many of us don’t really use a recipe. You just mix butter, powdered sugar, some flavoring and a splash of milk or cream and keep adjusting until it looks right.
Well, that’s hard to document in a recipe. Another thing that’s hard for folks following recipes is measuring powdered sugar. Three cups at my house probably isn't the same as the three cups you measure at your house. In most recipes, that’s OK but when you’re making buttercream with just ounces of liquid, it matters.
That’s why I love this recipe. It uses one 1-pound box of powdered sugar. Ain't nobody got to measure anything. It’s a pound. Period.
The only variance is whether you need 3 or 4 tablespoons of milk (half & half or cream) and that’s really about preference and climate. I usually use half & half because it’s what I have but cream makes for a waaaay more luxurious, silky buttercream so I definitely recommend using it if you have it!
This recipe makes enough for 24 normal cupcakes or 16 heavily frosted cupcakes (like these) or one 13x9 cake. If you’re making a layered cake, double the recipe to ensure you have enough.
Don't wait too long to add sprinkles if you're using them. I photographed these without sprinkles first then added them later. As you can see, the sprinkles didn't really stay put - they look like they're on really long slide or taking a drive through the Alps.
NOTES ABOUT NO-FAIL BUTTERCREAM FROSTING:
- Flavor with your favorite extract such as vanilla, almond, lemon, coconut or peppermint!
- You can use milk, half & half or cream (whatever you have - no need to make a special trip to the store or buy something you don't use just for a few tablespoons) BUT using the one with the highest fat content will give you the best buttercream.
- Make chocolate frosting by sifting 1/3 cup cocoa powder into the powdered sugar (you’ll need about a teaspoon more liquid if adding cocoa powder).
- According to the manufacturer of the box I used with this batch, one pound equals 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar but I can't confirm that.
- This recipe yields enough for 24 normal cupcakes or 16 heavily frosted cupcakes (like these) or one 13x9 cake. If you’re making a layered cake, double the recipe to ensure you have enough.
Recipe for No-Fail Buttercream Frosting
No-Fail Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 1-lb. box powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup salted butter (1 stick), at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (see notes)
- 3-4 tablespoons milk or cream
Instructions
- Whip butter and vanilla extract (or whichever flavor extract you're using) on medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy (about 1 minute).
- Add 3 tablespoons milk or cream and powdered sugar then continue mixing on medium speed until well combined and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add more milk or cream, 1 teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
Notes
- Flavor with your favorite extract such as vanilla, almond, lemon, coconut or peppermint!
- You can use milk, half & half or cream (whatever you have - no need to make a special trip to the store or buy something you don't use just for a few tablespoons) BUT using the one with the highest fat content will give you the best buttercream.
- Make chocolate frosting by sifting 1/3 cup cocoa powder into the powdered sugar (you’ll need about a teaspoon more liquid if adding cocoa powder).
- According to the manufacturer of the box I used with this batch, one pound equals 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar but I can't confirm that.
- This recipe yields enough for 24 normal cupcakes or 16 heavily frosted cupcakes (like these) or one 13x9 cake. If you’re making a layered cake, double the recipe to ensure you have enough.
Just ordered a set of the baking cups and pinned the recipe. You can NEVER go wrong with cupcakes!
ReplyDeleteLove the photo with the sprinkles! They're all lined up like they're going down a slide at the county fair!
ReplyDeleteMaking my mouth water!
Thanks!
Yay. Someone besides me prefer a simple butter cream to overly fussy cooked icings (which are usually made with egg whites anyway, and sweetened egg whites are just disgusting).
ReplyDeleteSandi
How many cups are there in 1 lb. of powdered sugar. I always buy bags of powdered sugar. Do you sift the powdered sugar first? Thank you.
ReplyDelete*According to the manufacturer of the box I used with this batch, one pound equals 3 3/4 cups. No need to sift first :)
DeleteThe bags are generally 2 lbs and if you eyeball half the bag, you'll be a okay!
ReplyDeleteYour cupcakes are adorable! Great way to simplify the 'you know it when you see it' kind of recipe :)
Can I sub sour cream for the milk or cream? Thanks in advance!
ReplyDeleteJust made this for the first time!! THANK YOU!!!!! Fantastic recipe and SO EASY!! I will more than likely never buy store bought icing again!
ReplyDeleteI love that you use salted butter for this rather than the standard unsalted! I've always thought that the secret to having the best sweets is to add a touch of salt. This recipe is perfection when made with heavy whipping cream. Thank you so much!!
ReplyDeleteWhenever I whip butter manually since I don't have electric mixer, it always ends up turning into liquid. After that how much ever sugar I add it just doesn't resolve. Is it because climate is hot out here or I use homemade butter and normal sugar. Plz help.
ReplyDeleteFrosting typically requires a blender. In this recipe you beat the butter and vanilla first it makes it easier
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