Best 13 Basic Butter Cake Buttercream Frosting Recipes

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When you're looking for a classic, flavorful frosting to top off your cakes, cupcakes, or other desserts, basic butter cake buttercream frosting is always a great choice. This frosting is easy to make and can be customized to your liking with different flavors, colors, and decorations. Whether you're a beginner baker or a seasoned pro, this article will provide you with all the information you need to make the perfect basic butter cake buttercream frosting.

Here are our top 13 tried and tested recipes!

EASY BUTTERCREAM FROSTING



Easy Buttercream Frosting image

Make and share this Easy Buttercream Frosting recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Redsie

Categories     Dessert

Time 10m

Yield 2 cups, 16 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 4

3 cups powdered sugar (icing)
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 pinch salt
1 teaspoon vanilla

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, using an electric mixer on low speed, beat together sugar, butter and salt until creamy. Increase speed to high and beat until light and fully. Add vanilla, beating until frosting is smooth.
  • Spread icing on cooled cupcakes or cake with a knife or transfer to a pastry bag and pipe decoratively over cake or cupcakes.
  • Makes enough for over 16 cupcakes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 190, Fat 11.5, SaturatedFat 7.3, Cholesterol 30.5, Sodium 11.7, Carbohydrate 22.5, Sugar 22.1, Protein 0.1

BASIC BUTTERCREAM



Basic Buttercream image

Easy to make, this sweet and basic buttercream recipe is the perfect topper to any birthday cake.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cake Recipes     Fillings & Frostings     Buttercream Frosting Recipes

Time 10m

Yield Makes 6 cups (enough to frost one 8-inch layer cake)

Number Of Ingredients 3

6 sticks unsalted butter, softened
9 cups confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Beat butter and 3 cups sugar with a mixer on medium speed until combined. Reduce speed to medium-low, and continue to beat, gradually adding remaining 6 cups sugar, 1 cup at a time. Raise speed to medium-high; add vanilla. Beat until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes more.

QUICK AND ALMOST-PROFESSIONAL BUTTERCREAM ICING



Quick and Almost-Professional Buttercream Icing image

After failing to find the perfect recipe for buttercream icing, I found one that worked for me and then added my own two cents.

Provided by xoshadyxo

Categories     Desserts     Frostings and Icings     Buttercream

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 5

½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
2 tablespoons milk
3 drops food coloring, or as needed

Steps:

  • Cream room temperature butter with a hand mixer, the paddle attachment of a stand mixer, or a wooden spoon until smooth and fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until fully incorporated. Beat in vanilla extract.
  • Pour in milk and beat for an additional 3 to 4 minutes. Add food coloring, if using, and beat for thirty seconds until smooth or until desired color is reached.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 227.9 calories, Carbohydrate 31.5 g, Cholesterol 30.8 mg, Fat 11.6 g, Protein 0.2 g, SaturatedFat 7.3 g, Sodium 83.7 mg, Sugar 31 g

VANILLA BUTTERCREAM FROSTING



Vanilla Buttercream Frosting image

For many people, cake is just the delivery vehicle for the real star of the show-the frosting. If you agree, you'll love this five-star buttercream frosting recipe. It's rich, sweet and foolproof. With 4 ingredients and 10 minutes of effort, this vanilla buttercream frosting will be ready to turn any cake, cookie or cupcake into a special-occasion dessert-never underestimate the power of a good frosting! Memorize this recipe and you'll always have a frosting to complement whatever's for dessert. (P.S. If you fall for this recipe, you'll be glad to know there's a 2.0 version: Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting is a must try!)

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Dessert

Time 10m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 4

3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 to 2 tablespoons milk

Steps:

  • In medium bowl, mix powdered sugar and butter with spoon or electric mixer on low speed. Stir in vanilla and 1 tablespoon of the milk.
  • Gradually beat in just enough remaining milk to make frosting smooth and spreadable. If frosting is too thick, beat in more milk, a few drops at a time. If frosting becomes too thin, beat in a small amount of powdered sugar. Frosts 13x9-inch cake generously, or fills and frosts an 8- or 9-inch two-layer cake.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 170, Carbohydrate 30 g, Cholesterol 15 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 0 g, Protein 0 g, SaturatedFat 2 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 35 mg, Sugar 29 g, TransFat 0 g

BUTTER FROSTING



Butter Frosting image

Rich frosting, great on Banana Spice Cookies.

Provided by Desiree

Categories     Desserts     Frostings and Icings     Buttercream

Yield 48

Number Of Ingredients 4

⅓ cup butter
4 ½ cups sifted confectioners' sugar
¼ cup milk
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Steps:

  • In a bowl beat butter or margarine until fluffy. Gradually add 2 cups of the confectioners' sugar, beating well.
  • Slowly beat in the milk and vanilla. Slowly beat in remaining sugar. Beat in additional milk, if needed, to make of spreading consistency. Tint with food color, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 58.1 calories, Carbohydrate 11.8 g, Cholesterol 3.5 mg, Fat 1.3 g, Protein 0.1 g, SaturatedFat 0.8 g, Sodium 9.7 mg, Sugar 11.6 g

SIMPLE AND DELICIOUS BUTTERCREAM FROSTING



Simple and Delicious Buttercream Frosting image

I decided on a whim yesterday that I wanted to make cupcakes for Canada Day. I didn't have time to buy frosting before getting ready for the fireworks show, so I ended up making my own with ingredients I already had. I was shocked at how quick and easy this was! This basic vanilla recipe makes enough to cover a dozen cupcakes, but feel free to double it (for cakes), triple it, add food coloring or different flavor extracts. If you find this too sweet, you can add a dash of salt to the milk or the vanilla. Personally I like it sweet, and I used salted butter, so I didn't find it necessary.

Provided by Denise

Categories     Desserts     Frostings and Icings     Buttercream

Time 15m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 5

5 tablespoons salted butter
5 tablespoons shortening
¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons milk

Steps:

  • Beat butter and shortening together with an electric mixer in a large bowl until light and fluffy. The mixture should be noticeably lighter in color. Beat the vanilla extract into the butter mixture. Add sugar, one cup at a time, beating on medium speed until fully incorporated. Add milk, one tablespoon at a time, beating on high until fully incorporated and you have frosting.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 172.9 calories, Carbohydrate 21 g, Cholesterol 12.9 mg, Fat 10.2 g, Protein 0.1 g, SaturatedFat 4.4 g, Sodium 35.4 mg, Sugar 20.6 g

EASY VANILLA BUTTERCREAM FROSTING



Easy Vanilla Buttercream Frosting image

After trying a few buttercream frosting recipes, this easy buttercream frosting takes the cake with its unmatchable homemade taste. With a few simple variations, you can come up with different colors and flavors. -Diana Wilson, Denver, Colorado

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 10m

Yield About 3 cups.

Number Of Ingredients 4

1/2 cup butter, softened
4-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
5 to 6 tablespoons 2% milk

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, beat butter until creamy. Beat in the confectioners' sugar, vanilla and enough milk to achieve desired consistency.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 124 calories, Fat 4g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 11mg cholesterol, Sodium 40mg sodium, Carbohydrate 23g carbohydrate (21g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein.

BUTTER CREAM FROSTING I



Butter Cream Frosting I image

This is a frosting I normally put on birthday cakes. Its like the frosting that bakeries put on cakes, but I much prefer to make my own since I know what I am putting into it, and as always, homemade is best.

Provided by Carol

Categories     Desserts     Frostings and Icings     Buttercream

Time 30m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 6

½ cup butter, softened
⅛ teaspoon salt
4 cups confectioners' sugar
2 egg yolk, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk

Steps:

  • Cream butter until soft. Add salt and part of sugar gradually, blending after each addition. Then add egg yolks and vanilla; blend well. Add remaining sugar, alternately with milk, until of right consistency to spread, beating after each addition until smooth. Makes 2 1/2 cups or enough frosting to cover tops and sides of two 8 or 9 inch layers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 351.7 calories, Carbohydrate 60.2 g, Cholesterol 82 mg, Fat 12.7 g, Protein 0.9 g, SaturatedFat 7.7 g, Sodium 122.3 mg, Sugar 59 g

BUTTERCREAM FROSTING



Buttercream Frosting image

This basic buttery frosting has unmatchable homemade taste. With a few simple variations, you can come up with different colors and flavors-from orange, lemon and mint to chocolate and peanut butter. -Diana Wilson, Denver, Colorado

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 15m

Yield about 4 cups.

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 cup butter, softened
8 cups confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 to 3/4 cup milk

Steps:

  • In a bowl, cream butter. Beat in sugar and vanilla. Add milk until frosting reaches desired consistency.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 453 calories, Fat 16g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 42mg cholesterol, Sodium 160mg sodium, Carbohydrate 80g carbohydrate (75g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein.

BASIC BUTTERCREAM ICING



Basic Buttercream Icing image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     dessert

Time 15m

Yield 6 cups

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 cup unsalted butter or margarine, room temperature (use vegetable shortening when pure white icing is needed)
1/2 cup milk, room temperature
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla or other desired flavoring
2 pounds confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • Combine all the ingredients in large mixing bowl and mix at slow speed until smooth. If stiffer icing is needed, or if the weather is very warm, add a little extra sugar. This recipe is enough to cover and fill a 9- by 13-inch sheet cake or two 9-inch layers.

BASIC BUTTER CAKE & BUTTERCREAM FROSTING



Basic Butter Cake & Buttercream Frosting image

Make and share this Basic Butter Cake & Buttercream Frosting recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Rhianna

Categories     Dessert

Time 40m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

125 g soft butter
1 teaspoon vanilla, essences
165 g caster sugar
2 eggs
225 g self raising flour
125 ml milk
125 g soft butter
240 g icing sugar
2 tablespoons milk

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to moderate.
  • Grease & line pan(s).
  • Beat butter, vanilla and sugar in small bowl until light and fluffy; beat in eggs one at a time.
  • Stir in flour and milk (in 2 batches).
  • Spread into tin, and cook for approximately 25 - 35 minutes (until skewer comes away clean).
  • Let stand for 5 minutes, then turn onto wire rack.
  • Serves 6.
  • FROSTING.
  • Beat butter in small bowl until as white as possible, gradually beat in half the icing sugar, milk, then remaining icing sugar.
  • Add flavoring and coloring as required.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 772.4, Fat 36.7, SaturatedFat 22.4, Cholesterol 163.1, Sodium 275.8, Carbohydrate 104.5, Fiber 1.3, Sugar 67, Protein 8.1

BASIC BUTTERCREAM FILLING AND FROSTING



Basic Buttercream Filling and Frosting image

Use this recipe for both the Salted-Caramel Whoopie Pies and the Powdered-Sugar Coconut Layer Cake.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Buttercream Frosting Recipes

Time 15m

Yield Makes 5 1/2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 3

4 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
6 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Beat butter on medium-high speed until pale and creamy, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to medium and add sugar 1/2 cup at a time, beating after each addition, until combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Use immediately, or store in an airtight container in refrigerator up to 3 days. Before using, bring to room temperature and beat on low speed until smooth.

VANILLA CAKE WITH VANILLA BUTTERCREAM FROSTING



Vanilla Cake with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting image

Indulge in this layer cake topped with rich buttercream-a vanilla lover's dream. I use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor. -Michelle Dorsey, Wilmington, Delaware

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 40m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
3 large eggs, room temperature
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2-1/3 cups cake flour
2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup 2% milk
FROSTING:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 teaspoons clear vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
Optional: Colored sprinkles or nonpareils

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottoms of 2 greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment; grease parchment., In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. In another bowl, mix the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. Pour into prepared pans, dividing batter evenly. , Bake at 350° until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 25-30 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove parchment. Cool completely. , For frosting, in a small bowl, beat butter and vanilla until blended. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake. Decorate with sprinkles or nonpareils if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 420 calories, Fat 22g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 89mg cholesterol, Sodium 171mg sodium, Carbohydrate 54g carbohydrate (38g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 3g protein.

This recipe provides a classic and versatile base for creating a variety of delicious butter cakes. The tips and conclusion section offers valuable insights and suggestions for achieving perfect results and exploring creative variations.

Tips:

  • Use room temperature ingredients: This ensures that the butter and eggs are evenly incorporated into the batter, resulting in a smooth and consistent texture.
  • Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy: This step is crucial for incorporating air into the batter, which helps the cake rise properly.
  • Gradually add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition: This prevents the eggs from curdling and ensures that they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  • Do not overmix the batter: Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough and dense cake. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Bake the cake in a preheated oven: This helps to ensure that the cake rises evenly and prevents it from sinking in the center.
  • Cool the cake completely before frosting: This prevents the frosting from melting and running off the cake.

Conclusion:

This basic butter cake recipe is a versatile foundation for creating a wide range of delicious and visually appealing cakes. With its simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, it is a great choice for both beginner and experienced bakers. Experiment with different flavorings, fillings, and frostings to create unique and personalized cakes that will impress your friends and family. Whether you prefer a classic vanilla cake, a decadent chocolate cake, or a fruity lemon cake, this recipe provides the perfect starting point for your baking adventures.

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