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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

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This is the perfect small-batch vanilla frosting recipe. It’s rich, delicious, and so easy to make.

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

Here on the blog so far, 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.

Overhead photo of small-batch vanilla frosting in a bowl.

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.

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

Ingredient Notes

  • Softened butter: 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. I call for unsalted butter in the recipe, but you can use salted butter if that’s what you keep on hand. Simply omit the added salt in the recipe. 
  • Powdered sugar: You must use powdered sugar for this frosting recipe. You cannot substitute granulated or brown sugar. 
  • Vanilla extract: For a more luxurious vanilla flavor, you can use vanilla beans or vanilla paste instead of vanilla extract. See the notes in the recipe card for substitution amounts.

Vanilla buttercream frosting being scooped out of a bowl.

Variations

  • Chocolate frosting: Add 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder.
  • Chocolate cream cheese frosting: Add 2 ounces of softened cream cheese and 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder. 
  • Cream cheese frosting: Add 2 ounces of softened cream cheese along with the butter. 

FAQ

How much frosting will this make?

The recipe makes ¾ to 1 cup of frosting depending on how much air you beat into it. This is enough vanilla frosting to frost:

  • 4 to 6 cupcakes with a piping bag (big swirls)
  • Up to 8 cupcakes or cookies with a knife
  • The top only of a 7×5-inch or single-layer 6-inch cake

My frosting is too sweet/buttery. What did I do wrong?

You probably didn’t do anything wrong. American buttercream is very sweet and very buttery by design. If that’s not working for you, but you still want to try this style of frosting, make one of my flavored small-batch American buttercreams. The butter flavor and heavy sweetness aren’t quite as in your face when there are other flavors there to off-set them.

Can I reduce the amount of sugar in this recipe?

You can cut it by a little, but not much. Sugar helps provide structure to the frosting, and if you keep cutting sugar, at some point you’re just eating lightly sweetened butter. 

Where can I use this frosting?

So glad you asked! My favorite things to use this frosting on are:

  • Small-batch Cut-out Sugar Cookies
  • Small-batch Frosted Sugar Cookies
  • Small-batch Vanilla Cupcakes
  • Small-batch Chocolate Cupcakes

More Small-batch Frosting Recipes

  • Chocolate Frosting
  • Cream Cheese Frosting
  • Cookie Dough Frosting
  • Strawberry Frosting
  • Oreo Frosting

Recipe Notes

  • Storage: Store leftover frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Frosting will harden significantly once chilled, so let it come to room temperature on the counter before using. If piping the frosting, re-whip as needed to return the frosting to its fluffy consistency. 
  • Freezing: American buttercreams freeze extremely well. Store frosting in a freezer bag in the freezer for up to 2 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature before using. 

Small-batch vanilla frosting being piped onto a cupcake.

Small-batch vanilla frosting being piped onto a cupcake.

Small-batch Vanilla Frosting

This is the perfect small-batch vanilla frosting recipe. It's rich, delicious, and so easy to make.
4.96 from 63 votes
Print Pin
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
Servings (Hover or Click to Change Yield): 8 servings
Calories: 100kcal
Author: Tracy

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter* softened
  • 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar sifted
  • 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon milk or cream
  • ¼ 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

*If using salted butter, omit the additional salt in the recipe.
*To substitute vanilla bean for extract, use ½ to 1 inch of vanilla bean, to taste. For paste, follow the substitution guidelines on the jar, as it varies from product to product.
Yield: This recipe makes ¾ to 1 cup of frosting depending on how much air you beat into it. This is enough to frost 4 to 6 cupcakes with a piping bag (big swirls), up to 8 cupcakes or cookies with a knife, or the top only of a 7×5-inch or single-layer 6-inch cake.
Storage: Store leftover frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature on the counter before using. If piping the frosting, re-whip as needed to return the frosting to its fluffy consistency. 
Freezing: Store frosting in a freezer bag in the freezer for up to 2 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature before using. 
Did you make this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag @BakingMischief or hashtag it #BakingMischief.

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.

Comments | 93 comments

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Comments

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. 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
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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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