This quick and easy buttercream frosting is just like the kind you will find in a bakery. It is the perfect no-fail icing for your next delicious cake dessert recipe. Creamy, buttery, and delicious.
Use a hand-held or stand mixer to make the frosting. This will give you the best creamy results. Make sure that the butter or shortening is soft. This will help it whip up nice and smooth. Beat butter with a mixer on medium speed until whipped. Approximately 1-2 minutes.
Reduce speed to medium-low, and continue to beat, gradually adding the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time.
Once all the powdered sugar has been incorporated, add the vanilla. Add the cream 1 tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
Raise speed to medium-high; beat until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes more.
The recipe will frost 16 cupcakes with a generous amount of icing on each. However, if you have a layered 8-inch cake to decorate or a 9 X 13-inch cake; double this recipe. Depending on the amount of swirl you want on your cake, you might want to triple this recipe.Once all the ingredients are added make sure to beat with the mixer on medium-high for about 3 minutes more. This helps incorporate the butter with the powdered sugar more and reduce a bit of the sweetness.It is super easy to vary the flavor of this basic icing by substituting almond or orange extract for the vanilla or adding a grated citrus zest.