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Easy Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Recipe

Easy Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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This basic buttery frosting has unmatchable homemade taste. With a few simple variations, you can come up with different colors and flavors. —Diana Wilson, Denver, Colorado

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Easy Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Recipe

Prep/Total Time: 10 min.

Yield: 24 Servings

10 10

Ingredients

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

Directions

In a large bowl, cream butter until light and fluffy. Beat in the confectioners' sugar, vanilla and enough milk to achieve desired consistency. Yield: About 3 cups.

Easy Almond Buttercream Frosting: Prepare as directed above, use 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon almond extract instead of the vanilla. Yield: about 3 cups.
Easy Chocolate Buttercream Frosting: Prepare as directed above, except use 4 cups confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup baking cocoa and 6-7 tablespoons milk. Yield: about 3 cups.
Easy Lemon Buttercream Frosting: Prepare as directed above, except use 5-6 tablespoons lemon juice instead of the milk and 1 teaspoon grated peel. Yield: about 3 cups.
Easy Orange Buttercream Frosting: Prepare as directed above, except use 5-6 tablespoons orange juice instead of the milk and add 1 teaspoon grated orange peel. Yield: about 3 cups.
Easy Peanut Butter Frosting: Prepare as directed above, except use 1/2 cup peanut butter instead of the butter and use 6-8 tablespoons milk. Yield: about 3 cups.
Easy Peppermint Buttercream Frosting: Prepare as directed above, except use 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract instead of the vanilla. Yield: about 3 cups.

Nutritional Analysis: 2 tablespoons equals 124 calories, 4 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 11 mg cholesterol, 40 mg sodium, 23 g carbohydrate, 0 fiber, trace protein.

Originally published as Easy Vanilla Buttercream Frosting in Complete Guide to Baking , p140

Sweet White Wine

Enjoy this recipe with a sweet white wine such as Moscato or a sweet Riesling.

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Reviews for Easy Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Easy Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

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Reviewed on Apr. 16, 2012 by euge1

i used half cup of peanut butter some maple syrop with the vanilla and 1 cup of icing sugar and a bit of milk ...peanut butter was just peanuts peanut butter

Reviewed on Mar. 31, 2012 by miriamhyde54

As a complete novice...and I do mean NOVICE...I wasn't aware that I should have refrigerated the frosting before applying it. It was a liquidy mess, but worked out fine and tasted great after refrigeration. Are there any substitutes for confectionary sugar? Considering the amount...the calories...

Reviewed on Feb. 25, 2012 by blbrown

Can also start with one 8 oz. brick of Cream Cheese then add the rest of these ingredients

Reviewed on Feb. 24, 2012 by azburns98

This was my standby recipe until I discovered the difference Evaporated milk makes. Much richer and creamier. 1/4 cup will do it!

Reviewed on Feb. 24, 2012 by supersportgirl

This is my go to frostingI love it! I use about half the amount of milk though for cupcakes...it makes it easier to work with and set when i'm piping.

Reviewed on Feb. 24, 2012 by jigglypuffcaitlin

I prefer it a little less sweet, so I just use 3 or 3.5 cups of powdered sugar. I also add a good pinch of salt. It's easy to make it vegan, too. Just use non-dairy margarine and soy milk instead of butter and regular milk.

Reviewed on Feb. 24, 2012 by sue311

I have a recipe similar to this that I have been making for about 40 years. It has the addition of a few shakes of salt. It seems to tone down the sweetness.

Reviewed on Feb. 24, 2012 by kayco923

I use this recipe often, but instead of 2% milk, I use evaporated milk. this makes it even creamier.

Reviewed on Feb. 20, 2012 by Julie Hubert

Perfect! The vanilla and the orange versions are so good! I want to try all the other ones.

Reviewed on Jan. 13, 2012 by carolbader

Love it! great taste and easy to make! Will try the chocolate one next!

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