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Fluffy Vanilla Frosting

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Memories of childhood birthday cakes will be evoked by this sweet frosting, made quickly with just three ingredients and a handheld mixer (a standing mixer will take even less time). This frosting can also be tinted with food color; add a drop at a time and stir with a flexible spatula until well combined before adding more.

This recipe is from "Martha Stewart's Cupcakes."
Martha Stewart Living Special Issues, 2009
  • Yield Makes about 4 cups
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Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 pound (4 cups) confectioners' sugar, sifted
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

  1. With an electric mixer, beat butter on medium-high speed until pale and creamy, about 2 minutes.
  2. Reduce speed to medium. Add the confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down sides of bowl as needed; after every two additions, raise speed to high and beat 10 seconds to aerate frosting, then return to medium-high. This process should take about 5 minutes. Frosting will be very pale and fluffy.
  3. Add vanilla, and beat until frosting is smooth. If not using immediately, frosting can be refrigerated up to 10 days in an airtight container. Before using, bring to room temperature, and beat on low speed until smooth again, about 5 minutes.

Recipe Reviews

  • mirthful16
    7 Nov, 2011

    I have made this frosting twice...the first time with vanilla extract and the 2nd time with almond (I was out of vanilla and couldn't run to the store). WHAT A HUGE HIT!!! I made the almond frosting with white cupcakes for my daughters first birthday. WOW...people were RAVING about this frosting. It was SO easy and very fluffy. I had a little left over after topping 24 cupcakes with a large swirl of frosting! 5 stars for sure!

  • Milicha
    23 Sep, 2011

    It is the fastest, best tasting and fluffyest icing ever! Just simply WOW, it will be my recipe for years to come.

    Thanks Martha :P

  • bethilyssa
    14 Oct, 2010

    about how much cake/ how many cupcakes does 4 c frost? Thanks!

  • NAUBecca
    12 Aug, 2010

    Would it be possible to use a butter substitute such as Smart Balance for this recipe and still have it come out?

  • milmom4
    26 Jun, 2010

    Amazing!!!!! best easiest buttercream that ive ever made! a bit sweet cutt back on sugar a bit, but otherwise, this frosting saved me, i tried 4 diff, recipes of this frosting none turned out fluffy! This recipe made me belive in buttercream frosting again! lol :) thank you

  • thehoffmanfam
    4 Jun, 2010

    This frosting is amazingly good and simple!!!! We use it often for topping cupcakes :)

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