Best Buttercream Frosting Recipe

Whether it's a cake or cookies, you want a recipe that is the best! Let me show you how to make this fluffy buttercream frosting that can be any color you choose and is ready to use in 5 minutes!

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• Ingredient Notes
• Couple Things You'll Need
• Step by Step Instructions
• Recipe FAQs and Expert Tips
• Related Buttercream Recipes
• Best Buttercream Frosting

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Perfect for frosting Sugar Cookies or your favorite cake!
• Easy homemade frosting recipe with the perfect buttery taste!
• No Fail! I've been making this recipe for decades!

Ingredient Notes

• Shortening - people often want to use all butter instead of adding a little bit of shortening. You can do this, but remember that shortening has a purpose. It maintains it's shape and doesn't soften or melt at room temperature, which is why it's in this recipe. The decorative frosting needs to maintain its shape and not melt.
• Butter - I always use salted butter, but you can use unsalted butter as well; just add an extra pinch of salt. You will also want to use real butter. Plant butter and margarine may not result in the kind of buttercream you want.
• Milk - Any percentage of milk will work for this recipe. You can even use evaporated milk, half-and-half, heavy cream, or even almond milk.
• Vanilla Extract - Use pure vanilla extract if you've got it; otherwise, imitation is fine!
• Food Coloring - My preference is to use gel food coloring. It achieves vibrant colors without thinning down the frosting.

Couple Things You'll Need

Step by Step Instructions

• This frosting can be made in a mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer or in a stand mixer fitter with a whisk attachment. If a paddle attachment is all you have, just make sure to mix really well and scrape down the sides of the bowl more frequently.
• The butter does need to be softened or at room temperature for this recipe. Cold butter does not cream or blend well. Melted butter makes a soupy mess.
• Cream the room-temperature butter, shortening, salt, and vanilla well.
• Add the powdered sugar, aka confectioners sugar, a cup at a time at a medium speed.
• Beat in the milk.

• Whip frosting at a high speed until it's light and fluffy.
• Color frosting however you choose.
• Fill a piping bag to decorate or spread on with a frosting knife.
• This easy recipe makes 3 cups of frosting, which should be enough frosting to frost 2 dozen cupcakes, 3 dozen sugar cookies, or a double-layer cake.
• Store leftover frosting in an airtight container in the fridge.

Recipe FAQs and Expert Tips

Related Buttercream Recipes

• Rich Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
• Orange Buttercream Frosting
• Swiss Meringue Buttercream
• French Buttercream
• Italian Buttercream

Have you tried this recipe? If so, leave me a rating and a comment below! And don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter to get my latest recipes sent right to your email! You can also follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram!

Thanks for stopping by! Before you go, be sure to check out a few of my most popular recipes!

• Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
• Coconut Pecan Frosting
• Fried Scones aka Utah Scones
• Black Tie Mousse Cake
• Easy Lemon Bundt Cake