• About
  • Work with Me
    • Contact
  • Food Photography
  • Newsletter

Chef Janet

So good, they'll never know it's gluten-free.

  • Gluten-Free Recipes
    • Appetizers and Snacks
    • Baked Goods
    • Breakfast
    • Dessert
    • Main Course
    • Salads
    • Sauces and Dressings
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
  • Cooking Basics
  • Gluten-Free Diet Tips
Home Β» Baked Goods Β» Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

February 4, 2020 (last updated January 6, 2023)

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

No ratings yet
Leave a Comment Jump to Recipe

Vanilla buttercream frosting is a pretty common recipe-and there is no shortage of recipes available. But finding just the right balance of sweet and butter is so important. I have a couple tips to offer and some variations to easily create different flavors.

close up of 3 gluten free strawberry cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting, cut strawberries and cupcakes in back

The Best Vanilla for Frosting

I think vanilla has gotten a reputation for being common and boring but I don’t agree with it. The mild, velvety flavor it adds is luxurious.

My preferred way to get vanilla flavor is of course with vanilla beans but they can be very expensive and they will be visible in the frosting. I am not a huge fan of the alcohol in vanilla extract and the beige tint it gives to soft white vanilla buttercream frosting. So I prefer vanilla powder (I use Cook’s vanilla powder). It’s sweet, it’s pale and is a perfect option for the perfect creamy white color.

Buttercream Frosting Texture

close up of cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting on black wire rack

I usually make my frostings on the stiffer side so that they can easily be piped onto a cake or cupcakes. If you prefer your frosting more creamy, start by adding 2 tsps milk or milk substitute and mix. Add more if needed. This creamier texture of frosting is nice for spreading onto a gluten-free coconut cake or gluten-free lemon cake. These gluten-free vanilla cupcakes are perfect with this frosting. Or pipe some onto this ganache glazed chocolate sponge cake.

close up of mini and regular cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting on white wood background

Variations

Lemon Buttercream – Add the zest of 1 lemon and 2 tsps lemon juice
Cinnamon Buttercream – Add 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon to the powdered sugar
Coconut Buttercream – Replace 2 Tbsps of butter with 2 Tbsps coconut cream and add 1 tsp coconut extract. If it is a bit too runny (coconut cream textures vary widely between brands) add an additional 2 Tbsps of powdered sugar.
Sweet and Salty Buttercream – Use salted butter in place of unsalted and add 1/4 tsp extra salt for the best buttercream you will ever make.

2 layer lemon cake with vanilla butter cream frosting on white plate. Lemon slice garnish on top of cake. Knife on left.

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Author: Janet Harlow
Course: Baked Goods
Cuisine: American
Servings: 3 cups
This perfectly sweet vanilla buttercream is the frosting for your favorite cake or cupcakes. It makes enough to generously frost 2 dozen cupcakes or when doubled, will frost a 2 layer, 8 inch cake.
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 mins
Total Time 15 mins

Recommended Products

  • Vanilla Powder

Ingredients
  

  • 2 sticks (12 oz.) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted*
  • 2 tsps vanilla powder or vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1-3 Tbsp milk optional for a creamier texture

Instructions
 

  • NOTES:
    This recipe makes enough frosting to frost 2 dozen cupcakes. To frost a 2 layer 8 inch cake, double the recipe.
    The milk in this recipe is optional. If you are using the frosting for piping, I recommend leaving it out or adding 1 Tbsp at most. If you're going to spread the frosting on a cake or cupcakes, add 2-3 tablespoons to make it more creamy.
  • Beat the butter with a stand or hand mixer for 2 minutes.
  • Add half of the sugar and beat on low until most of it is moistened.
  • Add the remaining sugar and beat on low until most of the sugar is incorporated.
  • Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl, Add the milk (if using), the vanilla and salt and beat on high for 15 seconds. Overbeating will create air pockets in the frosting which makes less stable when piping.

Notes

In dry climates, sifting is not necessary.

Nutrition

Serving: 2TbspsCalories: 64kcalCarbohydrates: 14gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 32mgSugar: 14g
Did you make this recipe?Let me know how it was! Tag @chefjanetk on Instagram.
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email

Posted In: Baked Goods · Tagged: frosting, vanilla

Leave a Comment & Rate this Recipe Cancel reply

If you love this recipe, please consider leaving a star rating and review when you post a comment. Star ratings help people discover my recipes online. Your support means a great deal to me.

Thank you!
Janet

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About Me
Hi, Welcome! I'm Chef Janet and I create gluten-free recipes that everyone will love, gluten-free or not.

Set up a customized lesson with me to learn basic cooking techniques, gluten-free, menu planning and kitchen tips to make your life easier. Follow me on instagram to keep up with my latest and let me know how I can help.

Follow along on Instagram

Thanksgiving prep has started in my kitchen! Wheth Thanksgiving prep has started in my kitchen! Whether you need a gluten-free stuffing recipe, gravy or an easy side, I've got you covered. Need a delicious, decadent dessert? I've got that too. Link in my profile to my Thanksgiving recipes.
πŸ—πŸ₯§πŸ 
You'll find tips for perfect silky, smooth gravy, moist delicious stuffing, perfect pies, simple sided dishes and more.
🍠πŸ₯§πŸ—
#glutenfreethanksgiving #thanksgivingrecipes #thanksgivingdesserts #glutenfreestuffing #glutenfreegravy #losangeleschef #glutenfreeblog #glutenfreepiecrust #glutenfreedessert
Pie and cupcakes are my favorite desserts so I put Pie and cupcakes are my favorite desserts so I put them together in one. These gluten-free apple pie cupcakes make for an awesome autumn dessert. Link to the recipe in my profile.
🍎 πŸ₯§πŸ§
These cupcakes have a fluffy cinnamon spiced cake, traditional apple pie filling and an apple cinnamon buttercream frosting.
🍎πŸ₯§πŸ§
#glutenfreecupcakes #glutenfreedessert #glutenfreeapplepie #losangeleschef #cinnamonbuttercream #glutenfreelosangeles #holidaydessert #glutenfreeholidays #autumndesserts #applepiecupcakes
Nothing says holiday brunch more than cranberry or Nothing says holiday brunch more than cranberry orange muffins. Link to the recipe in my profile.
🎈🍊🎈
#cranberryorangemuffins #glutenfreemuffins #holidaybrunch #glutenfreebaking #losangeleschef #glutenfreechef #glutenfreeblog #cranberryorange
This Sweet Potato Frosting is the perfect holiday This Sweet Potato Frosting is the perfect holiday topping for cupcakes, cakes muffins and anything your heart desires. There's just four ingredients and no cane sugar. Link to the recipe in my profile.
 🍠 🧁🍠
Sweet potato puree, cream cheese, butter and maple syrup are all you need for this amazing frosting. Amazing on carrot cake, spice cake, vanilla cake and so much more.
🧁🍠🧁
#sweetpotatofrosting #cakefrosting #glutenfreeholiday #holidaydesserts #glutenfreeblog #losangeleschef #glutenfreelosangeles #sweetpotatodessert #sweetpotatorecipe #cupcakefrosting #glutenfreecupcakes
Do you like your gluten-free pumpkin bread slather Do you like your gluten-free pumpkin bread slathered in a rum icing or a straight up?? Get the recipe - link my profile.
πŸŽƒπŸŽƒπŸžπŸŽƒπŸŽƒ
This recipe is super easy and makes an incredibly moist and delicious pumpkin bread that is good enough for dessert, brunch or a little autumn snack.
πŸŽƒπŸŽƒπŸžπŸžπŸŽƒπŸŽƒ
#glutenfreepumpkinbread #pumpkinbread #glutenfreebrunch #glutenfreebaking #autumndesserts #glutenfreelosangeles #glutenfreechef #glutenfreeblog #pumpkindessert #fallbaking
I hope you didn't miss it last week! This gluten-f I hope you didn't miss it last week! This gluten-free lemon drizzle cake is too good! Link to the recipe in my profile.
πŸ‹πŸŽ‚πŸ‹
#lemondrizzlecake #glutenfreecake #lemonloaf #glutenfreeblog #glutenfreechef #loasangeleschef #glutenfreelosangeles #glutenfreelemoncake
This Gluten-Free Lemon Drizzle Cake is the cake of This Gluten-Free Lemon Drizzle Cake is the cake of my dreams. Link to the brand new recipe in my profile.
πŸ‹πŸŽ‚πŸ‹
The combination of lemon and butter in a sweet dessert is about as good as it gets, if you ask me. This cake is super moist and somewhere between a pound cake and a fluffy layer cake.
πŸ‹πŸŽ‚πŸ‹
#lemondrizzlecake #lemonloaf #glutenfreelemoncake #glutenfreecake #lemoncake #glutenfreelosangeles #glutenfreeblog #prettycakes #lemondesserts #glutenfreelemondrizzlecake
Add a shot of peanut butter whiskey to your peanut Add a shot of peanut butter whiskey to your peanut butter cookies and you'll be hooked like I am! Link to the recipe in my profile.
πŸ₯œπŸ§ˆπŸͺ
#peanutbutterwhiskey #boozydesserts #glutenfreecookies #whiskeycookies #boozycookies #glutenfreeblog #peanutbutterwhiskeydessert #losangeleschef #glutenfreelosangeles

Copyright © 2023 Chef Janet · Support by Foodie Digital · Privacy Policy · Accessibility Policy · Web Stories