American Buttercream Frosting

This perfectly balanced American Buttercream Frosting has an amazing classic vanilla flavor and is made with only 5 ingredients in 10 minutes! The most delicious way to finish off all of your cupcakes, cakes, and other desserts – it’s silky smooth and crusts to perfection!

This recipe uses three key ingredients to make it the absolute best! Keep reading to discover what kind of butter, liquid, and vanilla you need to guarantee frosting greatness!

 

The Best Vanilla Buttercream Recipe

This American Buttercream Frosting is a classic that belongs at every baker’s fingertip whether you’re a beginner or experienced in the kitchen! It’s easy enough to make for any level yet it’s a sweet, standout that pushes any dessert over the top!

It’s rich, and decadent and remains light and fluffy on the inside while crusting up to perfection on the outside! Enjoy it as the ultimate finish on all your favorite desserts!

What is American Buttercream Frosting?

American Buttercream frosting is a classic, easy-to-make frosting that can be made in any kitchen! The frosting is known for its crusty exterior and light, fluffy interior and is a popular choice for cakes and cupcakes!

Though the ingredients for this American Buttercream Recipe are minimal and simple there’s one ingredient that should be chosen with intention. And that’s the main ingredient, butter!

Since butter is a main ingredient, I highly recommend splurging and using Irish/European style butter such as Kerrygold or Finlandia. But American Buttercream will work well, too; I just find the frosting tastes more sugary than buttery that way.

The higher butterfat content makes gives the frosting a better flavor and overall texture. This increased butterfat also causes the butter to have a more yellow color however when it’s whipped long enough it will take on the classic white color that American Buttercream is known for.

American Buttercream Substitutions And Variations

• Butter – I prefer making this recipe with unsalted butter as if gives you more flavor control. However, if you have salted butter on hand you can use that instead and then just omit the ½ teaspoon of salt from the recipe.
• Extract – For a flavor variation, swap out the vanilla extract for another extract of choice such as peppermint, lemon, or even maple.  
• Chocolate Buttercream – If you’re a chocolate lover then check out my recipe for chocolate buttercream frosting! It’s perfectly chocolaty, rich, and creamy!
• Gel Food Coloring – To create a colored American Buttercream I recommend using gel food coloring. Using gel food coloring over regular food coloring will prevent too much additional liquid to the frosting which could change its consistency. I also find that gel food coloring creates a more vibrant, beautiful color!
• Consistency – You can control the consistency of this frosting by adding an additional ½ cup of powdered sugar or additional heavy cream 1 tablespoon at a time.

How To Make American Buttercream Frosting

Step 1: Cream unsalted butter with salt in a large bowl with a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until it becomes pale and creamy.

Step 2: Add in the powdered sugar and heavy cream a little at a time, alternating between each as the mixer continues mixing on low speed.

Step 3: Pour in the vanilla extract and then increase the speed to whip the frosting until it becomes light and fluffy. Be sure to scrape the sides of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are incorporated into the frosting.

Step 4: Pipe the finished American Buttercream onto your desired desserts or transfer it into an airtight container to store.

Favorite Ways To Use This Recipe For American Buttercream Frosting

American Buttercream has such a classic, sweet taste making it versatile enough to use on whatever your heart and taste buds desire! And since it’s made without egg whites it can even be licked right off of the beaters while you decide what confections you’ll put it on.

Use American Buttercream on:

• Whoopie Pies – Sandwich this frosting between Classic Maine Whoopie Pies, Pumpkin Whoopie Pies, and Apple Cider Whoopie pies! Serve it up to your valentines in these Heart Shaped Red Velvet Whoopie Pies!
• Cookies – Sweeten up a batch of sugar cookies by topping them with this American Buttercream Frosting!
• Cakes – Spread this frosting over a Funfetti Cake or serve it up around the holidays on this Easy Pumpkin Cake or Christmas cake!
• Cupcakes – Since this American Buttercream crusts up to beautiful perfection it makes it one of my favorites to pipe onto cupcakes! Pipe it onto Moist Yellow Cupcakes, Chocolate Cupcakes, or enjoy it with a celebration on Birthday Cupcakes!

American Buttercream Frosting FAQs

Does humidity affect buttercream frosting?

Yes, humidity and kitchen temperature can affect American buttercream. If the humidity or temperature is too high, it will cause the frosting to melt and break down.

Does powdered sugar need to be sifted when making American buttercream?

Sifting the powdered sugar isn’t necessary unless you notice that there are clumps in your powdered sugar or the humidity is high.

What is the difference between cream cheese frosting and American buttercream frosting?

American buttercream is made with only butter whereas cream cheese frosting is made with both butter and cream cheese.

How come my American Buttercream is grainy?

If you find that your frosting has a grainy texture, then there may not enough heavy cream in it to absorb the powdered sugar. To fix this, add an additional tablespoon of heavy cream at a time until the grainy texture is gone.

Can American Buttercream be made in advance?

Yes, since American buttercream can be stored in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 3 months you can make it in advance! An easy way to get ahead of dessert prepping!

More Buttercream Recipes

• Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
• Creamy Peanut Butter Frosting
• Cookie Butter Buttercream
• Strawberry Buttercream

This recipe was originally published in June 2015 and was updated in January 2024 with fresh photos.