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    Home » The Best Homemade Vanilla Frosting

    The Best Homemade Vanilla Frosting

    Published: Jul 14, 2020 · Modified: Jul 19, 2021 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    The BEST homemade vanilla frosting recipe! This vanilla frosting recipe is easy to make in 5 minutes with 6 ingredients! Great frosting for decorating cakes & cookies! Ditch the store-bought frosting for good!

    unicorn cake decorated with homemade vanilla frosting

    This is a recipe for the best Homemade Vanilla Frosting Recipe that is perfect for decorating cakes, cupcakes, and cookies! There's no reason to ever buy store-bought frosting again, when this frosting recipe is so easy to make that it comes together in 5 minutes with 6 ingredients!

    This is seriously the best vanilla frosting.  Every person who tries it falls in love...even if they're "not a frosting person." I love that it not only tastes great but it's also excellent to decorate with. The mixture of shortening and butter makes it easy to pipe, plus it hardens beautifully! It's really a recipe you need in your tool belt!

    I have used it to decorate every cake (this chocolate cake from scratch and this chocolate chip cookie cake) I've ever made over the last 13 years - which, with 6 kids plus one husband is a lot of cake decorating.  It can also be frozen and saved for later. Seriously you need to try this easy vanilla frosting recipe ASAP!

    front view of a cake decorated with homemade vanilla frosting

    Vanilla Frosting: Ingredients & Substitutions

    This homemade vanilla frosting is made with only 6 ingredients, so we'll chat about them quickly before we jump into the recipe!

    Use Room temperature ingredients

    One very important thing to note about the ingredients in this vanilla frosting recipe is that they all need to be at room temperature. They mix much better if they are not cold. Frosting also pipes much easier at room temperature.

    overhead view of the ingredients in this homemade vanilla frosting recipe
    • Salted Butter. I use salted butter to make frosting (and just about everything). Unsalted butter works perfectly as well. You can also try using vegan butter for a dairy-free version. 
    • Shortening. I use Crisco all-vegetable shortening to make this vanilla frosting. It works well and is easy to use because it comes in stick form. I don't recommend making substitutions for the shortening. 
    • Milk. I have used many different varieties of milk, I recommend whole milk or 2% milk to make this homemade frosting. 
    • Pure vanilla extract. Use pure extract for the best flavor. You can also use vanilla beans or vanilla bean paste. 
    • Sea salt. I like to add a pinch of sea salt to really bring out the flavors. This is optional, and you can omit it if you'd like. 
    front view of a cake decorated with homemade vanilla frosting

     How to Make Homemade Vanilla Frosting 

    This vanilla frosting recipe is very straightforward, but here are a few tips to ensure that it turns out perfectly!

    Cream together butter and shortening

    The first step in this homemade vanilla frosting recipe is to cream together the butter and shortening. Make sure there are no lumps in the mixture before moving onto the next step. 

    Add vanilla and sea salt

    Next, add vanilla and sea salt and beat again until the mixture is smooth. 

    overhead photo showing how to make vanilla frosting

    Add half of the powdered sugar

    Next, add half of the powdered sugar and beat until it is all incorporated. 

    overhead photo showing how to make vanilla frosting

    Add milk & the rest of the powdered sugar

    One the first half of the powdered sugar is incorporated, add the milk and the rest of the powered sugar and beat until light and fluffy. You may need to pause, scrape down the sides, and continue beating to be sure to incorporate all the powdered sugar. 

    Front photo showing homemade vanilla frosting on a beater over a mixing bowl

    Food coloring

    If you would like to dye the vanilla frosting, add coloring after your frosting is well-mixed and has reached the desired consistency.  

    If you are making many colors, pull out small bowls and dye them one at a time.  I highly recommend using gel food coloring instead of the liquid variety, and always save some pure white just in case!

    overhead photo of 3 bowls of frosting dyed with food coloring: blue pink and purple

    Decorating with Vanilla Frosting

    You can use this homemade frosting to decorate many different baked goods. From sugar cookies to cake, there's no wrong way to enjoy this vanilla frosting! Here are some suggestions:

    • I use this vanilla frosting to frost this chocolate cake for every birthday cake I make!
    • It's also great to use on these chocolate cupcakes.
    • Slather some of this on top of the best sugar cookies.
    • We use it to make this nativity cake at Christmas.

    Freeze cake before frosting

    If you are using this vanilla frosting to decorate a cake, I recommend baking the cake a day ahead of time and freezing it. That way after you make the frosting, it will spread onto the cake easily without catching crumbs. Remember, do not chill or freeze the frosting, it spreads and pipes easiest at room temperature. 

    Overhead photo of vanilla frosting being spread onto a cake

    Frost a crumb coat

    Even if you plan on covering the cake in a design, roses, etc. I recommend doing a thin crumb coat with the vanilla frosting on the entire cake first. This also minimizes crumbs in the frosting so the final product looks pretty. I use this large pastry scraper to make smooth edges/tops. 

    Front view of a cake being frosted with homemade vanilla frosting

    Pipe on a design

    For this video I made my daughters 5th birthday cake, and of course she requested a unicorn cake. I put 3 colors into a piping bag and piped on rosettes using a Wilton 1M tip.

    front view of a cake decorated with homemade vanilla frosting

    FAQs about Homemade Frosting

    Here are some commonly asked questions about this vanilla frosting recipe. 

    How do you store homemade frosting?

    You can store the vanilla frosting for up to 1 week in the refrigerator or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
    You can also store it in the piping bags in the freezer or refrigerator. I often use disposable decorating bags and if I have leftover frosting I just toss the bags into the freezer or refrigerator

    Can you freeze homemade frosting?

    This vanilla frosting recipe recipe makes a ton of frosting, and it freezes exceptionally well! Even if I know I only need half of the recipe I still make the whole batch so that I can have some on hand in the freezer!
    When you're ready to use it remove from freezer and let it come to room temperature gradually (do NOT microwave). 

    How do you store a decorated cake?

    Once you use this frosting to decorate a cake, I suggest storing the decorated cake in the refrigerator so that the frosting hardens faster. However, we are a room-temperature cake-eating family. If you are too, take the cake out of the refrigerator at least 2 hours before serving. If there are any leftovers, store at room temperature covered in foil for up to four days. Or in the refrigerator for longer.

    overhead view of a cake decorated with vanilla frosting

    If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube - be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

    Best Homemade Vanilla Frosting Recipe

    Laura
    The BEST homemade vanilla frosting recipe! 5 minutes and 6 ingredients is all it takes to make the best frosting at home! Ditch the store-bought varieties! Great for decorating cakes & cookies! 
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course condiment, Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 24 (servings) Enough to frost a 2-layer 8-9" round cake
    Calories 283 kcal

    Equipment

    • KitchenAid Mixer
    • measuring spoons
    • measuring cups
    • spatula
    • gel food coloring
    • piping bag
    • Wilton 1M tip
    • large coupler

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 cup salted butter softened
    • 1 cup shortening
    • ¼ tsp sea salt
    • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
    • 2 pounds powdered sugar (about 7.5-8 cups, or 1 bag)
    • ⅓ cup milk
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Cream together butter and shortening until smooth.
    • Add salt and vanilla and beat until well combined.
    • Slowly add powdered sugar 1 or 2 cups at a time until your mixture is thick and a little lumpy (you can always add more later).
    • Add milk and beat until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
    • If necessary, add more powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency.
    • Use to frost your favorite cakes, cookies and cupcakes!**

    Video

    Notes

    Notes: 

    • As you can see, my frosting isn’t pure white. This is because I used vanilla extract that is brown. If you want a whiter frosting, use clear vanilla.
    • If you plan to decorate with this frosting please keep it at room temperature. Cold frosting does not pipe well (or at all)!
    • If you’d like to add color, simply mix it in after your frosting has reached your desired consistency!
    • I usually decorate cakes the night before and let them set up in the fridge. Then I remove from the fridge at least 2 hours before serving so they can come to room temperature.
    • This makes a TON of frosting! If you don't use it all you can freeze it to use for later!

    How to store vanilla frosting:

    • This vanilla frosting lasts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
    • You can also store it in the piping bags in the freezer or refrigerator. I often use disposable decorating bags and if I have leftover frosting I just toss the bags into the freezer or refrigerator

    Ingredient Substitutions

    • Salted Butter. I use salted butter to make frosting (and just about everything). Unsalted butter works perfectly as well. You can also try using vegan butter for a dairy-free version. 
    • Shortening. I use Crisco all-vegetable shortening to make this vanilla frosting. It works well and is easy to use because it comes in stick form. I don't recommend making substitutions for the shortening. 
    • Milk. I have used many different varieties of milk, I recommend whole milk or 2% milk to make this homemade frosting. 
    • Pure vanilla extract. Use pure extract for the best flavor. You can also use vanilla beans or vanilla bean paste. 
    • Sea salt. I like to add a pinch of sea salt to really bring out the flavors. This is optional, and you can omit it if you'd like. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2TBSCalories: 283kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 0.2gFat: 16.3gSaturated Fat: 84gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5.8gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 63mgPotassium: 9.3mgSugar: 34gVitamin A: 250IUCalcium: 6mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    This sunflower cake was for M's first birthday. Still my most favorite cake I ever decorated to date! 

    overhead view of a sunflower cake decorated with the best homemade vanilla frosting recipe

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

    « Healthy Chocolate Overnight Oats
    Best Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream »

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Marci Walter

      January 05, 2018 at 6:17 am

      I'm curious about using this frosting on cookies. When I frost a big batch of Christmas cookies, and then try to store them, the frosting runs together and sticks to the other cookies, or wax paper I put between them. How did you find it worked with your cookies (or did you just eat them all up the first day or two)? 🙂

      Enjoy Bethany's birthday and Sandy's visit this month.!

      Reply
      • Laura

        January 05, 2018 at 6:57 am

        Hey Marci! 1) I can't wait for Sandy to come! I miss her so much! 2) I frosted our sugar cookies this year and it worked really well! I just make sure to leave them out on the cooling rack in a single layer until the frosting hardens. Putting them outside in the cold or in the refrigerator helps speed this process up! But I recommend waiting to stack them until the frosting is hardened at room temperature! (So to clarify, if you want to speed up the process you an put them in the fridge but be sure they come to room temperature and the frosting is set before stacking)! I think the shortening really helps make this a great decorator frosting that sets up beautifully!

        Reply
    2. Kathy

      November 15, 2016 at 9:26 am

      5 stars
      Been looking for a good vanilla frosting,and yours sounds great,gonna try it on my grandsons birthday cake December 4th will send you a picture of his cake.thanks

      Reply
      • Laura

        November 16, 2016 at 3:11 pm

        Thank you Kathy! It is seriously the best vanilla frosting I have ever had! I would LOVE to see a picture of your grandson's birthday cake! I can't wait for December 4th!

        Reply
    3. Tara | Treble in the Kitchen

      May 12, 2016 at 12:13 pm

      Nice to meet you Laura!! (I came from the Lean Green Bean!) I love baking for people too 🙂 Haven't tried the 1M tip, but I totally need to!! The cupcakes are so pretty!

      Reply
      • Laura

        May 12, 2016 at 1:20 pm

        Nice to meet you Tara! 🙂 I agree, I absolutely love baking for people! I love the 1M tip because it's large so you can pipe a thicker amount of frosting and have it still look nice! 🙂 Thank you for stopping by! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Lela

      May 11, 2016 at 7:17 pm

      5 stars
      This icing looks great! My husband is a big vanilla icing fan and I think he will love it! Thanks for sharing at Inspiration Thursday!

      Reply
      • Laura

        May 11, 2016 at 9:22 pm

        My hubby and daughter are the vanilla people in our household (ugh! LOL)! Thankfully my son chose chocolate cake! 😉

        Reply
    5. Claire

      May 11, 2016 at 5:12 am

      This looks great, love my cupcakes 🙂

      Hope you can stop by my Tuesday treats blog hop?

      Reply
      • Laura

        May 11, 2016 at 1:05 pm

        Cupcakes for life! 😉

        Reply
        • claire

          May 17, 2016 at 9:20 am

          Thanks so much for linking up 🙂

    6. Miz Helen

      May 10, 2016 at 7:08 pm

      Your little guy is just precious! What a fun party with awesome goodies! Thanks so much for sharing them with us at Full Plate Thursday and come back soon!
      Miz Helen

      Reply
      • Laura

        May 11, 2016 at 1:02 pm

        Thank you! I love that little dude so so much! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Julia @ Drops of Jules

      May 06, 2016 at 8:16 pm

      Not only does this recipe sound delicious, but your frosting skills are BOMB. I wish my frosting turned out that beautiful! I’m bookmarking this so I can refer to the tips AND the recipe!

      Reply
      • Laura

        May 06, 2016 at 8:34 pm

        Thank so much! 🙂 Want to know something hilarious? My husband is actually WAY better at decorating cakes than I am! (hehe)! Over the years he's let me take the reigns, because you know...practice! 😉 But I really enjoy doing it! 🙂 You'll have to let me know if you give it a shot!

        Reply
    8. Charlotte

      May 06, 2016 at 7:18 pm

      The icing looks yummy but those cupcake flowers are on point!

      Reply
      • Laura

        May 06, 2016 at 8:31 pm

        LOL thanks Charlotte! 🙂 I felt like a total mommy-slacker in the cake dept. this year for little Gabe. So I'm glad someone out there appreciates the flower-power! 😉

        Reply
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    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

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