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You are here: Home / Recipes / Small-batch Vanilla Frosting

Small-batch Vanilla Frosting

11/15/17 | Desserts, Recipes, Small-batch Dessert

10.8Kshares

This is the perfect Small-batch Vanilla Frosting recipe. It’s rich, delicious, and so easy to make.

If you're looking for a sweet and easy small-batch vanilla frosting for sugar cookies, cupcakes, maybe a little gingerbread house, this is the frosting you're looking for. | #frosting | #smallbatch | #dessert |

Another Wednesday, another small-batch frosting recipe. I love sharing these small-batch frosting recipes with you because having an archive of different flavors means that you can mix and match them with my small-batch cupcakes and make the cute little cupcake batch of your dreams.

Over the last couple months, I’ve shared Small-batch Chocolate Frosting, Small-batch Oreo Frosting, and Small-batch Cream Cheese Frosting. This time, it’s classic, perfect Small-batch Vanilla American Buttercream Frosting.

What is American Buttercream Frosting?

American buttercream is a fabulous and convenient frosting that can be made with just a few ingredients, butter, powdered sugar, a little salt, some vanilla, and usually a bit of cream or milk.

Unlike Swiss, French, and Italian meringue buttercreams, American buttercream does not contain eggs, so there is no cooking involved. You just soften some butter, beat it until it is nice and fluffy and then beat in the rest of the ingredients.

From start to finish, it takes less than 5 minutes. I love it for small-batch baking because it’s so simple to make and easy to scale.

It’s also very tasty. This vanilla frosting is rich and buttery and quite sweet, with a smooth texture that crusts just a little.

This small-batch vanilla frosting is rich and buttery and quite sweet, with a smooth texture that crusts just a little. It's basically perfect. | #frosting | #smallbatch | #dessert |

The recipe makes 3/4 to 1 cup of frosting depending on how much air you beat into it, which is enough vanilla frosting to frost four to six cupcakes with a piping bag or up to eight cupcakes or cookies with a knife.

If you’re looking for a sweet and easy vanilla frosting for sugar cookies, cupcakes (I love it on my Small-batch Vanilla Cupcakes), maybe a little gingerbread house, this is the frosting you’re looking for.

This is the perfect Small-batch Vanilla Frosting recipe. It's rich, delicious, and so easy to make. | #frosting | #smallbatch | #dessert |

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission if you make a purchase using them. There is absolutely no additional cost to you.

Small-batch Vanilla Frosting Recipe Tips

  • Be sure to start with butter that is softened, but not melted. Melty butter can give your frosting an unpleasant, greasy texture. When butter is properly softened, you should be able to press an indentation into the stick with your finger, but the butter should still hold its shape around it.
  • For a more luxurious vanilla flavor, you can use vanilla beans or vanilla paste instead of vanilla extract. See recipe notes for substitution amounts.
This is the perfect Small-batch Vanilla Frosting recipe. It's rich, delicious, and so easy to make. | #frosting | #small-batch | #dessert |

Small-batch Vanilla Frosting

This is the perfect Small-batch Vanilla Frosting recipe. It's rich, delicious, and so easy to make.
4.91 from 21 votes
Print
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings (Hover or Click to Change Yield): 8
Calories: 100kcal
Author: Tracy

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons (2oz) unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar sifted
  • 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon milk or cream
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, beat softened butter until light and fluffy, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon of milk or cream, vanilla extract, and salt.
  • Beat until smooth. Add up to 2 additional teaspoons of milk until frosting reaches your desired consistency.

Notes

To substitute vanilla bean for extract, use 1/2 to 1 inch of vanilla bean, to taste. For paste, follow the substitution guidelines on the jar, as it varies from product to product. 
Did you make this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag @BakingMischief or hashtag it #BakingMischief.
This is the perfect Small-batch Vanilla Frosting recipe. It's rich, delicious, and so easy to make. | #frosting | #smallbatch | #dessert |

Comments | 69 comments

« Rich and Thick Hot Chocolate for One
Small-batch Snowball Cookies with Kisses »

Comments

  1. Krllie says

    February 14, 2018 at 6:50 am

    5 stars
    This was perfect. Woke up this morning and realized i needed a cupcake for my daughter for her party at school. She cant eat the ones at school due to allergies. Had the cupcake in the freezer bur no frosting. This saved the day!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      February 17, 2018 at 2:48 pm

      This makes me so happy to hear! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Carrie says

        July 7, 2018 at 5:04 pm

        5 stars
        This buttercream frosting recipe is sooooooooooo good. i was making cupcakes for my sister and she loved it !!!!!

        Reply
        • Tracy says

          July 12, 2018 at 8:56 am

          Sooooooooo happy to hear, Carrie! 😉 Thanks for reporting back!

          Reply
    • Lana Kuhn says

      May 18, 2018 at 3:40 pm

      this buttercream does not work i did the exact same things in the recipe and it tastes and looks like butter my daughters don’t like it very much

      Reply
      • Tracy says

        May 28, 2018 at 11:25 am

        Hi, Lana. So sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy the frosting! I’m not sure what you meant by the buttercream doesn’t work, but if it was that the frosting didn’t come together to look like the frosting in the photos, your butter might have been too soft or not soft enough at the start. You can see the Recipe Tips section of the post for more info, but butter temperature is really important for the texture of the frosting.

        If it was just that the frosting was too buttery tasting, I’d recommend next time trying a different type of buttercream that uses eggs, like French or Italian Buttercream. American Buttercreams, which are made with just sugar and butter, are pretty buttery (and very sweet) and some people really don’t care for that. Hope that helps!

        Reply
  2. Beverly says

    February 20, 2018 at 2:15 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! I made a 6 cup chocolate bundt cake yesterday and wanted a frosting for it instead of the usual drizzle. The amount of frosting yielded by the recipe was perfect for spreading on top and sides. This frosting is so good, it was hard to stop eating. The beater was enjoyed immensely. My husband, who is very picky, raved about it. Thank you for sharing your recipe. This will be the only vanilla frosting I use from now on. Looking forward to checking out other small batch recipes on your site as it’s just me and the Mr.

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      February 25, 2018 at 11:08 am

      Hi, Beverly. Yay! I’m so glad you and your husband enjoyed it!

      Reply
  3. Holly says

    March 1, 2018 at 7:46 pm

    Do you think this recipe would work well with piping? I am hoping to just do a few flowers and freeze them for a later time but don’t want to make a big batch of frosting! I just found your website last night and I love it. I’ve already tried one of your recipes and it tasted awesome! Thanks for all the hard work you do. It’s very appreciate.

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      March 4, 2018 at 3:35 pm

      Hi, Holly. Thanks so much! And yes, American buttercreams like this are great for piping. Just make sure when you are adding milk at the end you don’t add too much. You want your frosting on the stiffer side so it holds its shape.

      Reply
  4. Kristina says

    March 4, 2018 at 4:59 pm

    Do you have a simple strawberry frosting recipe? These look like absolutely delicious recipes!! Thanks so much for posting these. I cannot wait to try them ALL!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      March 6, 2018 at 1:46 pm

      Hi, Kristina. Thank you! I don’t have a strawberry frosting recipe on the site yet, but it’s on my list. Hopefully within the next month or so…

      Reply
    • Tina says

      April 30, 2018 at 6:38 pm

      Hey Kristina, use some strawberry milk syrup instead of vanilla extract. That’s what my Mom used to do and so do I.

      Reply
      • Tracy says

        May 1, 2018 at 9:36 am

        Love this idea. Thanks, Tina!

        Reply
  5. Elliana Dailey says

    March 18, 2018 at 2:26 pm

    5 stars
    Ohhhhhh my gosh. This was so, SO, SO amazing!! Though it didn’t make as much as I was expecting, it was still delicious

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      March 19, 2018 at 8:47 am

      Yay! So glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply
  6. Missy says

    March 18, 2018 at 6:17 pm

    This was perfect! So glad I came across your recipe as I was hoping to find an alternative to constantly buying frosting. So excited to now be able to make it myself!!!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      March 19, 2018 at 8:46 am

      Thanks, Missy! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  7. Kate says

    April 24, 2018 at 11:22 pm

    4 stars
    I made this earlier but it was a bit too sweet. Is there any tweaks to reduce the sweetness?

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      April 27, 2018 at 5:43 pm

      Hi, Kate, you can try cutting the sugar to 3/4 cup. Any less than that and it gets pretty buttery, texture-wise. Unfortunately American buttercream is really sweet because the sugar helps make up the structure of the frosting. For a less-sweet frosting, you might want to try a cooked frosting where other ingredients like eggs help with the structure. Here’s a good article on different types of buttercreams with recipes to go along with them ( https://www.seriouseats.com/2014/12/buttercreams-frosting-how-to-make-the-best-buttercream-icing-cupcakes-swiss-buttercream-italian-german-styles.html ). I don’t have any small-batch cooked frostings on the site yet, but I’d like to add some in the future. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  8. Bonnie Williamson says

    June 15, 2018 at 9:54 am

    Does this taste like the store frosting they use in the bakery?

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      June 18, 2018 at 10:51 am

      Hi, Bonnie. Not quite. I think most bakery frostings usually use at least some crisco/shortening since it’s more stable/cheaper. You can try substituting some shortening for the butter and see if that gives you the flavor you’re looking for.

      Reply
  9. Aryanna says

    July 3, 2018 at 5:07 am

    Can I do this without an electric mixer? By hand?

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      July 3, 2018 at 3:23 pm

      You can! Just make sure your butter is room temperature when you start. If the butter’s too cold, you’ll have trouble getting it to mix. It might take a little while to come together, but it will, so just keep whisking it.

      Reply
  10. Anna Miles says

    July 24, 2018 at 2:34 pm

    Can you substitute the butter with vegetable shortening?

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      July 31, 2018 at 10:24 am

      Yes. You can also do half butter half shortening if you find you miss that buttery flavor.

      Reply
  11. Dominique says

    August 3, 2018 at 12:32 pm

    It tasted great just that liquid

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      August 5, 2018 at 8:56 pm

      Glad you enjoyed it, Dominique! What did you mean by liquid?

      Reply
  12. Aaliya says

    August 5, 2018 at 2:37 am

    4 stars
    The frosting us a little yellow but tastes awesome.

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      August 5, 2018 at 9:04 pm

      So happy you enjoyed it! And, yeah, buttercream made with butter will never be pure white. If you want a snow-white frosting, you can use shortening instead and clear vanilla extract.

      Reply
  13. Afreen says

    August 9, 2018 at 11:18 pm

    Thanks for sharing small batches of frostings.

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      August 10, 2018 at 10:26 am

      You’re welcome! 🙂

      Reply
  14. Amber L says

    September 8, 2018 at 4:09 am

    5 stars
    Thank you so much! You saved the day, Tracy!! I was on a very strict time budget, needed frosting for cake pops, and your recipe was not only the perfect amount, but tastes great!!

    A little back story– today is Saturday. From 9-10 kid 3 has a soccer game and directly after has swim lessons. Then, kid 1 and kid 2 have a birthday party. Directly afterwards, we drive out of state for another birthday party, which is the party that the cake pops go to. When I say you saved the day, I mean you saved the day!!!!!!!!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      September 10, 2018 at 4:00 pm

      LOL, sounds like you were in total supermom mode this weekend! So happy this recipe could help even a little!

      Reply
  15. Alli says

    September 17, 2018 at 9:42 pm

    5 stars
    Is it 100 calories per serving? So so good. I ended up adding a little peanut butter.

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      September 18, 2018 at 6:34 am

      Hi, Alli. Yes, it’s 100/serving. I’m so glad you enjoyed it, and love the idea of adding peanut butter!

      Reply
  16. Lila says

    October 10, 2018 at 2:22 pm

    5 stars
    I loved this…don’t have to sift pwd. sugar if you put in deep bowl and wisk by hand first. Also, I used Tablespoon cream cheese and mixed almond and vanilla for flavor.
    Put on my cherry cake. did thin layor on 9×13
    Excellent frosting. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      October 21, 2018 at 4:37 pm

      Great tip! And love the idea of adding cream cheese and almond extract, especially for a cherry cake. My mouth is watering thinking about it! 😉

      Reply
  17. Ben says

    December 24, 2018 at 1:37 am

    5 stars
    Thanks, works well when you don’t want a huge batch because this stuff is high calories!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      December 24, 2018 at 2:12 pm

      Too true, Ben. Glad the recipe worked out for you!

      Reply
  18. Sonja says

    February 22, 2019 at 5:57 am

    5 stars
    Tastes great and just the right amount!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      March 1, 2019 at 2:52 pm

      Thanks, Sonja! I’m so happy you enjoyed the frosting!

      Reply
  19. Trisha says

    April 13, 2019 at 6:45 pm

    Wow this worked so well for my cakes. I will never stop using this recipe. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      April 22, 2019 at 4:08 pm

      Thanks, Trisha!! I’m so happy it worked out for you!

      Reply
  20. betty says

    May 14, 2019 at 7:22 pm

    This frosting is fantastic! Perfect for a single layer 8 inch cake. Delicious!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      May 15, 2019 at 1:54 pm

      Thanks, Betty! I’m so glad this worked out for your cake!

      Reply
  21. Adriana Trujillo says

    May 17, 2019 at 7:25 pm

    I double the recipe. Used 2 tbsp of milk and didn’t sifted the powder sugar 🙁 It came out runny. How can I fix it?

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      May 18, 2019 at 2:16 pm

      Hi, Adriana, you can try beating more powdered sugar into the recipe and it should start to firm back up. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  22. Kim says

    August 14, 2019 at 4:27 pm

    5 stars
    This came out really great. I doubled the recipe to make enough frosting for a double 6 inch cake. It was just the right amount. Initially I softened the butter too much so I put it in fridge to hardened it so that it was just a little soft. I only had salted butter so I used that instead and omitted the pinch of salt of course.

    Reply
  23. Vivian says

    September 12, 2019 at 7:22 am

    5 stars
    This Is The Second Time Ive Made This Recipe,Being Its Just Me An My Hubs An I Make A 8×8 Wacky Cake An This Is Perfect Amount For The Cake An Its Sooo Much Better Then Bought 2 Thumbs Up! ♥

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      September 16, 2019 at 8:09 pm

      Thanks, Vivian! I’m so glad you both enjoy it!!

      Reply
  24. Clary says

    March 3, 2020 at 7:20 pm

    5 stars
    This was amazing, I made it twice in one night. I made it for home made mug cakes and it was perfect!
    I recommend this it tastes way better than store bought icing.

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      March 5, 2020 at 8:33 pm

      So glad you enjoyed it, Clary!!

      Reply
  25. Brianna says

    March 20, 2020 at 12:14 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you so much for this wonderful recipe!! My mother and I didn’t have heavy whipping cream so we used this recipe. Came out wonderful!

    Reply
  26. Christopher says

    April 9, 2020 at 1:26 pm

    5 stars
    This is my monthly go to recipe for cupcakes for 2, depression cake no eggs (8×8 pan) and half loaf pan carrot cake ..although for that I add cream cheese. Thank you so much. This recipe rocks! A serious Baker applauds you.

    Reply
  27. Reeya says

    April 15, 2020 at 12:02 pm

    If I wanted to double the recipe, would I add 8 tablespoons of butter, 2 cups of sugar?

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      April 16, 2020 at 10:55 am

      Yup, that will work!

      Reply
  28. Debbie McGlathery says

    May 16, 2020 at 12:42 pm

    I have a grandson that will only eat white, white cake and white icing. I had a small white cake recipe and now I have a GREAT white icing recipe. Thanks

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      May 19, 2020 at 11:54 am

      So thrilled to hear it, Debbie!

      Reply
  29. Hayden Renfro says

    May 25, 2020 at 9:22 am

    A wonderful frosting recipe, very tasty and loved how it was so easy to make, definitely recommended for anyone. Can’t wait to see what you have next!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      July 12, 2020 at 5:45 pm

      Thank you, Hayden!! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  30. Heather says

    June 12, 2020 at 2:59 pm

    5 stars
    Was looking for a quick and easy recipe to ice about 10 cupcakes and this was perfect! Finally a homemade icing recipe that my kids actually like (and I didn’t even have any vanilla extract!)

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      July 12, 2020 at 5:45 pm

      So thrilled to hear the kids enjoyed it!!

      Reply
  31. Michelle Epstein says

    June 28, 2020 at 9:31 am

    5 stars
    My grandson requested a giant chocolate chip cookie with strawberry frosting for his 8th birthday. I used your recipe and added pulverized freeze dried organic strawberries to the frosting (trying to keep it all organic) and it was so delicious! The tartness of the strawberry was perfect with the sweetness of the frosting. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      July 12, 2020 at 5:43 pm

      What a wonderful idea! I love this!!

      Reply
  32. Wanda Meade says

    October 29, 2020 at 4:20 pm

    5 stars
    Not even going to pretend I make this for something special. I make this for me..to eat..with a spoon! I love this recipe. I don’t change a thing.

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      November 3, 2020 at 2:46 pm

      LOL! You go, Wanda!!

      Reply
  33. Rozhin says

    December 17, 2020 at 7:27 am

    Hi
    thanks for the recipe!
    If I want to make it chocolate frosting, what should I do? how much melted chocolate or cocoa powder should I use?

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      December 17, 2020 at 8:22 pm

      For chocolate frosting, I recommend giving this recipe a try: https://bakingmischief.com/small-batch-chocolate-frosting/

      Reply

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Welcome!


Hi, I'm Tracy! Welcome to Baking Mischief, where we realize that not everyone is cooking every night for a family of four. We have delicious sweet and savory recipes, mostly scaled for one or two, and we love our pop culture around here, so keep an eye out for film, book, and TV-inspired treats as well! Read more»
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