Classic American Buttercream

Nov 3, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Custards puddings creams Vanilla: Extract Easy

American buttercream is a no-cook frosting made by creaming butter with powdered sugar. Sweet, smooth and easy to color or pipe, this makes about 3 cups, enough to frost 24 cupcakes or fill and frost an 8-inch layer cake. Makes 700 g in about 14 minutes.

Prep 10 min

Cook 4 min

Total 14 min

Servings 24

Diet Gluten free

Ingredients

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servings

1 cup (227 g)unsalted butter, softened
4 cups (480 g)powdered sugar, sifted
2 tsp (10 ml)pure vanilla extract
3 tbsp (45 ml)heavy cream
1 pinch (1 g)fine salt

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Instructions

Beat the butter for 3 minutes until pale and creamy.
Add the powdered sugar a cup at a time on low speed, then increase to medium.
Add the vanilla, cream and salt and beat on medium-high for 3 to 4 minutes until fluffy.
Add a tablespoon more cream if too stiff, or more sugar if too soft.
Use right away, or rewhip before using if chilled.

Tips

Sift the sugar to avoid lumps.
Use cool, not melty, butter.
A small pinch of salt cuts the sweetness.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make classic american buttercream?

Plan on 10 minutes of prep and 4 minutes of cooking. The recipe makes 700 g (24 servings).

How should I store classic american buttercream?

Refrigerate in a covered container up to 2 weeks (it contains cream) or freeze 3 months; rewhip after softening.

Can I make classic american buttercream ahead?

It is at its best the day it is made; prepare it a few hours before serving.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 2 tsp pure vanilla extract (10 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 24 servings this recipe makes.

153 Calories / serving

8.3g Fat

20.1g Carbs

0.1g Protein

19.7g Sugar

Whole recipe (24 servings): ~3672 cal · 199g fat · 482g carbs · 2g protein · 473g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.