Vanilla Whipped Buttercream Frosting

Elevate your treats with this easy vanilla whipped buttercream frosting recipe with just simple steps to make a velvety-smooth frosting that adds a touch of vanilla goodness to your favorite vanilla birthday cake and vanilla cupcakes.

Jump to:

• Why you'll love this recipe
• Ingredients You Need
• How to Make Less Sweet Buttercream Frosting
• How to use this buttercream
• Tips for this recipe
• Storage and Freeze instructions
• Variations & Substitutions
• Recipe Questions
• More Buttercream Recipes
• Whipped Buttercream Frosting

This whipped buttercream frosting is simply my lighter, less sweet version of the very popular and traditional buttercream frosting recipe.

Made primarily from butter and confectioners' sugar, the whipped version adds a higher content of heavy cream to make the frosting even more fluffy and creamy.

This perfectly textured whipped cream buttercream frosting is ideal for decorating all your cupcakes, layer cake, brownies, cheesecakes, and cookies. It's the recipe to remember for elevating all your desserts without needing a pastry degree.

Ingredients You Need

You need these ingredients to make my whipped buttercream frosting:

• Butter: Use unsalted butter with at least 80% fat and softened at room temperature, for a lightly salted version use semi-salted butter.
• Sugar: Use extra fin sugar like powdered sugar, icing sugar, or confectioners sugar. Don't use granulated sugar, as it may result in a grainy buttercream with a not-at-all-smooth texture.
• Heavy cream: You can use heavy cream, heavy whipping cream (double cream) or milk.
• Vanilla: As an option, pure vanilla extract adds a delicious flavor to this plain frosting, or you can use the seeds of a vanilla bean or vanilla bean paste.

How to Make Less Sweet Buttercream Frosting

Here are some quick visual instructions. Don't forget that full instructions with exact ingredients can be found in the main recipe card below!

Step 1: Place softened butter cut into pieces in the mixing bowl of an electric mixer or in a stand mixer with the whisk attachment.

Step 2: Whip on high speed until butter turns white for about 3-5 minutes, it increases in volume and is very creamy with a fluffy consistency.

Step 3: Add the sifted confectioner's sugar to the creamy butter in batches while leaving the mixer running at medium speed and until incorporated.

Step 4: Add the vanilla extract and heavy cream and whip on high speed for a further 5 minutes or so, until you have a fluffy buttercream frosting is thick and smooth.

How to use this buttercream

• Classic Cakes and Cupcakes: This classic buttercream frosting is perfect for frosting cakes, a sheet cake and cupcakes like in these chocolate cupcakes or vanilla bean cupcakes.
• Decorative Piping: Utilize various piping tips to create flowers, rosettes, stars, and other intricate designs on your baked goods. Whipped buttercream holds its shape well, making it suitable for detailed decorations.
• Filled Desserts: Use whipped buttercream as a filling for pastries like eclairs, cream puffs, or whoopie pies. Its light texture complements the pastry without overpowering it.
• Cookie Sandwiches: Spread or pipe a generous amount of frosting between two cookies for a delightful treat. You can match the cookie flavor with the frosting for a cohesive taste experience.
• Dessert Toppings: Dollop or pipe whipped buttercream on top of dessert bars, brownies, or fruit tarts for an extra touch of sweetness and elegance.

Storage and Freeze instructions

In the fridge: Whipped buttercream can be stored in the fridge under plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to a week. After refrigeration, allow it to come to room temperature before whipping again.

Room temperature: American buttercream is also known to be stable at room temperature for up to 48 hours, but always in a cool, sun-free place.

How to freeze: It can be stored in the freezer in an airtight container or in storage bags for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw completely before whipping again.

Recipe Questions

Can whipped buttercream frosting be flavored?

Absolutely! You can add various extracts, fruit purees, zests, or melted chocolate to flavor your whipped buttercream frosting according to your dessert needs.

How long can whipped buttercream frosting sit out?

Whipped buttercream frosting can generally sit out at room temperature for several hours due to the sugar content, which acts as a preservative. However, if it's very warm or if the frosting contains perishable ingredients like cream cheese, it should be refrigerated.

Can you color whipped buttercream frosting?

Yes, whipped buttercream frosting can be colored with gel or liquid food coloring. Gel coloring is recommended as it's more vibrant and won't alter the consistency of the frosting.

How can I get whiter buttercream?

To achieve a whiter buttercream, use clear vanilla extract and a touch of purple gel color to neutralize the yellow tint.

Why is my buttercream frosting grainy?

Your buttercream frosting may be grainy due to insufficient mixing or the sugar not dissolving completely, ensure thorough mixing and use superfine sugar for smoother texture.

More Buttercream Recipes

I hope you love this Whipped buttercream frosting. If you make it, be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Happy Baking!

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