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Overhead shot of a bowl of buttercream icing.

Vanilla American Buttercream

Easy American style buttercream frosting, perfect for your cake decorating needs.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 3 cups

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • cup powdered icing sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 tablespoon milk

Instructions
 

  • In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on low until creamy.
  • Add about half of the sifted icing sugar and beat to incorporate. Then add the second half, beating until combined, followed by the vanilla.
  • Continue beating on low for a couple of minutes until the mixture is light and smooth. Add milk if necessary to thin the mixture, beating to combine.

Notes

  • Always beat buttercream on low settings. You do not want to incorporate air bubbles into this. 
  • Adding milk is optional depending on consistency - add a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency. If you overadd, you can add more powdered sugar to thicken up the frosting.
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