What could be sweeter than the BEST Buttercream Frosting piped on a delicious cupcake? This classic buttercream frosting is the one I used while attending culinary school in the ’70s. Yes, they had those back then.
I see no reason to change this classic recipe since it is perfect for frosting, cakes, and cupcakes with a spatula or a pastry bag and tip.

Buttercream Frosted Cupcake
How to Make Buttercream Frosting
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Supplies
- Stand Mixer fitted with the flat edge paddle attachment (this is like the one I use), electric mixer, or hand mixer
- Measuring cups
- Spatula
- Watch the complete frosting video HERE




Ingredients for Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 Stick unsalted butter softened (room temperature)
- 4 cups confectioners sugar
- 5 to 7 Tablespoons heavy cream or milk




Add confectioner’s sugar to butter




Mixer covered with a tea towel




Adding a pinch of salt




Vanilla extract added to the bowl




Add enough cream




Vanilla Buttercream Frosting




Ingredients
- 1 Stick Unsalted Butter softened not melted
- 4 Cups of 10X sugar
- 5 to 7 Tablespoons Cream or milk
Instructions
- Using an electric mixer to cream butter and sugar together at a slow speed. Then slowly add cream one tablespoon at a time until the icing mixture is firm and smooth.
- Frost your cake or cupcakes and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition




Frosting cupcakes with a pastry bag
Cupcake Picks
To decorate the cupcakes for special events add some DIY picks. See how to DIY them HERE.




Football picks
Buttercream Frosting Options
If you would like to balance out the sweetness of the frosting, you can add a pinch of salt to the frosting.
Extracts
Note: Adding an extract to flavor to the frosting can change the consistency of the frosting. I recommend adding it before adding all the cream.
Vanilla buttercream: To make vanilla buttercream frosting add 1 to 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract to the frosting.
Some other extracts I have used in buttercream frosting are coconut, peppermint, and almond.
Spices
Another way to add some flavor to buttercream frosting is with spices, such as cinnamon, ginger, and/or cloves. Add spices 1/4 teaspoon at a time and taste before adding more.
Tinting
Buttercream frosting is perfect for tinting any color of the rainbow. I recommend using this type of food color to prevent changing the consistency of the frosting. Use a toothpick to add little at a time.
Want More?
Sometimes we all need a little inspiration for easy meals and recipes. I put together some recipes. I think you will like it.
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See you soon,
Kippi
fwe
Monday 7th of November 2022
The cupcake are the cutest!! it look delicious 🙂 Pinned! moto x3m
Kathy
Monday 25th of April 2022
Hi Kippi I am from Saskatchewan Canada and follow your posts . Have a couple questions about this frosting : I have to do96 cupcakes and was wondering if I could decorate and it would keep for 2 days in cool place before anything starts melting or falling , also how many cups are your stick of butter lol😅 . Thanks Kathy
debbie
Monday 7th of February 2022
I looked at the recipe and wrote down the 3 ingredients but under the pictures it mentions vanilla and pinch of salt. What is the full list of ingredients?
Amber
Sunday 9th of January 2022
What type/brand of coloring do you use? The link does not work.
Julie
Sunday 7th of February 2021
This is how I've always made buttercream , the only difference is that here in the UK we call it icing instead of frosting! Both chilly words! I'm now going to be forced to make cakes just so I can make some buttercream to go on them, my mouth is watering! Thanks for sharing at Handmade Monday this week, you have been featured!