Skip to Content

Vanilla Buttercream

Busy moms, look no further for the ultimate Vanilla Buttercream that’s sure to make your child’s birthday treats the talk of the neighborhood!

Dessert Decorating Workshop @ the USO - Fort Belvoir | The JavaCupcake Blog https://javacupcake.com

This recipe is a game-changer, giving you:

  • Stress-Free Simplicity: Easy to follow, this buttercream won’t let you down. It’s the dependable hero for last-minute baking, ensuring smooth, silky results every time.
  • Unmatched Durability: With the secret strength of shortening, this frosting won’t wilt under the spotlight. It’s designed to withstand the heat of those sunny, outdoor parties, so your creations stay picture-perfect for hours.
  • Superior Homemade Taste: Elevate your treats with a buttercream that’s leagues above the premade versions. This is the taste of pure, homemade bliss, rich with real vanilla and a sweetness that’s just right.

You’ve got this! With this Vanilla Buttercream, you’re not just baking; you’re guaranteeing smiles, one frosted cupcake at a time.

Dessert Decorating Workshop @ the USO - Fort Belvoir | The JavaCupcake Blog https://javacupcake.com

The Secret to Fluffy Vanilla Buttercream: Heavy Whipping Cream

The secret to the ethereal texture of our Vanilla Buttercream lies in a simple, yet crucial ingredient: heavy whipping cream. This isn’t just about adding richness; it’s about infusing air, creating a cloud-like consistency that’s as delightful to taste as it is to work with.

When whipped, heavy cream expands with air, transforming our buttercream into a light, velvety masterpiece that spreads effortlessly over cakes and pipes beautifully onto cookies and cupcakes. It’s this airy structure that allows the buttercream to carry flavors more effectively, ensuring that each bite is not only creamy but also bursting with the pure, sweet essence of vanilla.

Perfect Vanilla Cupcakes | JavaCupcake.com

This is more than an ingredient; it’s the lifeline of the buttercream, turning the ordinary into extraordinary. Every time you add that splash of heavy whipping cream, you’re not just making buttercream; you’re crafting a fluffy, smooth delight that elevates your desserts from good to unforgettable.

It’s Foolproof

This recipe is foolproof, quick to whip up, and absolutely delicious, ticking all the boxes for what you need:

  • No-Fail Simplicity: With clear, straightforward instructions, this buttercream comes together beautifully every time, leaving no room for error and no need for fancy techniques or equipment.
  • Heat Resilient: This buttercream holds its own when the party heats up, thanks to the stability provided by the heavy whipping cream. Your piped roses and swirls will stand tall and proud, from the first happy birthday chorus to the last slice of cake.
  • Store-Bought Surpassing Taste: Say goodbye to the overly sweet, artificial flavor of store-bought frostings. This homemade Vanilla Buttercream is rich, with the perfect balance of sweetness and real vanilla flavor that’s 100% better than any tub you’d pick up at the store.
Dessert Decorating Workshop @ the USO - Fort Belvoir | The JavaCupcake Blog https://javacupcake.com

So, take a deep breath and get ready to impress – not just your kiddo, but also the toughest of little critics. With this Vanilla Buttercream, you’re not just creating treats; you’re crafting memories, one creamy dollop at a time.

Vanilla Buttercream: Not Just for Cupcakes Anymore

Whether you’re looking to add a touch of elegance to your layer cakes or seeking the perfect finish for your roll and cut sugar cookies, our Vanilla Buttercream is the versatile choice that elevates your baking.

With its rich and creamy texture, it pairs wonderfully with a variety of flavors and textures, making it a staple in your baking repertoire.

Layer Cakes: A Canvas for Creativity

Blueberries and Cream Layer Cake | The JavaCupcake Blog https://javacupcake.com

Imagine our Vanilla Buttercream, smooth and luscious, as the ideal complement to the moist layers of your favorite cakes. It’s the crowning glory on a Blueberries and Cream Layer Cake that melds the tartness of fresh blueberries with the sweet allure of cream​.

Sugar Cookies: An Artistic Expression

Ice Cream Cone Sugar Cookies | The JavaCupcake Blog https://javacupcake.com

Transform your roll and cut sugar cookies into edible art. Our buttercream is the perfect medium for your creative expressions, whether they take the form of delicate succulents or whimsical ice cream cones. The rustic charm of buttercream-decorated cookies is unmatched, offering a homely yet sophisticated touch​​.

How to make Buttercream Succulents

Cupcakes: The Quintessential Treat

And let’s not forget the classic cupcakes – the very embodiment of comfort in a bite. Our Vanilla Buttercream brings out the best in every flavor, from the simple vanilla to the most intricate of combinations.

Flower Pot Cupcakes | The JavaCupcake Blog https://javacupcake.com

The versatility of the buttercream means that whether you’re making Flower Pot Cupcakes or another creative concoction, the result is always stunning​4​.

Endless Possibilities

This Vanilla Buttercream isn’t confined to traditional uses. Have you ever considered Donut Sugar Cookies? They’re a fun, delightful twist that will surprise and delight anyone who tries them​.

Donut Sugar Cookies - your favorite soft sugar cookie frosted with buttercream to look like a donut! | The JavaCupcake Blog https://javacupcake.com

In every dollop and swirl, Vanilla Buttercream is there to enhance the flavors and aesthetics of your creations. It’s a testament to the magic that happens when simplicity meets versatility.

So grab your spatula (or piping bag), and let’s create some delicious memories together!

Dessert Decorating Workshop @ the USO - Fort Belvoir | The JavaCupcake Blog https://javacupcake.com

Vanilla Buttercream

Yield: Enough to frost 2 dozen cupcakes
Prep Time: 7 minutes
Total Time: 7 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 Tbsp shortening, butter flavor
  • 1lb powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and shortening together until smooth.
  2. Add half the powdered sugar and mix until combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl.
  3. Pour in the vanilla, salt and remaining powdered sugar and mix until combined.
  4. Add half the heavy cream and mix on low until it is incorporated.
  5. One tablespoon at a time, add more cream until you reach the consistency you desire. More cream for softer, less cream for stiffer.
  6. Scrape the sides of the bowl again.
  7. Turn the mixer on high speed and let whip for 3-5 minutes.

Notes

Don't undermix! The heavy whipping cream really fluffs up the buttercream when whipped. So whip it... whip it good!

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Briana

Saturday 14th of March 2020

I made the buttercream and it only made about 6 cupcakes worth of buttercream. What did I do wrong?

Skip to Recipe