Fluffy Vanilla Frosting

Name: Fluffy Vanilla Frosting
Yield: Makes about 4 cups
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature; 1 pound (4 cups) confectioners' sugar, sifted; 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

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."

Source: Martha Stewart Living Special Issues, 2009

Makes about 4 cups

Yield

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.

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Reviews

532

How would you rate this recipe?

532

thisfrostingsucks38

5 JUL, 2015

THANKS FOR NOTHING MARTHA STEWART!
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thisfrostingsucks38

5 JUL, 2015

I did everything it said to do, and this is awful. I said I wanted frosting not high cholesterol. This is WAY TOO BUTTERY!
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molly4336

9 JUN, 2015

I absolutely love this recipe, I use this frosting for just about anything. It's SO easy to make, and everyone just loves it!
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zoebeech

22 FEB, 2015

This frosting just tasted like straight whipped butter to me, I did not enjoy it at all!
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Chaunte Reyes

15 NOV, 2013

Gonna cry it's midnight and It didn't work for me. It's watery =(
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mariacarrillo25

29 APR, 2013

so you don't need milk?
Reply
yppit

19 APR, 2013

THE BEST, fluffiest, most delightful vanilla frosting I have EVER had - even better than royal icing ! I forgot to sift the powdered sugar and it still came out fluffy, beautiful , and wonderful to spread and swirl with. This recipe makes ALOT of frosting-like for a 3-4 layer cake. For a 2-layer cake, I did 2 sticks + 2 tbsp. of the butter, 3 cups powdered sugar, and 1 tsp. clear vanilla...then slathered it onto a dark chocolate cake...Pure Heaven . Thank you so much Martha Stewart !!!!
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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!
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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
Reply
MS10355272

14 OCT, 2010

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