Have you ever wanted to get that awesome Buttercream Frosting recipe that your grandma made, but never received it because it was lost along the way? Well guess what I am sharing today…it’s THAT recipe. This Old Fashioned Vanilla Buttercream Frosting recipe is so delicious and tastes just like I remember. Thanks to my mother’s friend Carol who passed this down and shared it with us. Now I get to share it with all of you!
When my mom and I made these delicious Red Velvet Cookies a few weeks ago, we wanted to make them into cookie sandwiches. I didn’t have a great Buttercream Frosting recipe that I just LOVED, and Carol had shared her favorite with my mom. Needless to say, we were hooked after trying it.
You can never go wrong with a delicious tried and true buttercream frosting, and if you like to bake, this is one you will want to keep on standby.
Are you in a hurry? You can skip down to the bottom of this recipe post and grab the full printable recipe card with all of our tips and tricks. If you’re not in a rush, keep reading!
Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Recipe
Buttercream Frosting Recipe
- 1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
- 1/2 cup softened butter
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 5 cups confectioners sugar
- 3 Tbsp milk
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl cream butter and shortening with electric mixer. Add vanilla.
Gradually add in sifted confectioners sugar, one cup at a time beating on medium speed.
Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. When all of the sugar has been mixed in, icing will appear dry. Add milk and beat at medium speed for 3 minutes.
Keep icing covered with a damp cloth until ready to decorate. For best results, keep icing bowl in refrigerator when not using.
Icing can be stored in an air tight container for up to a week. Just re-whip it in your mixer before using. Makes 3 1/2 cups.
Vanilla Buttercream Frosting FAQs
How do you make vanilla buttercream frosting from scratch?
Cream together butter and shortening. Add vanilla flavoring. Slowly incorporate the confectioners sugar and milk until you’ve reached the desired consistency.
How long can you store buttercream frosting?
You can store buttercream frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month. You can freeze this recipe for up to 3 months.
Can I leave buttercream frosted cupcakes out overnight?
You can leave buttercream frosted cupcakes out overnight for up to 3 days at room temperature.
I hope you enjoy this old fashioned buttercream frosting as much as we do! It’s one of our favorite easy frosting recipes to make. If you make this recipe, please consider leaving it a star rating below in the recipe card. It lets our readers know they should make this recipe!
If you like this recipe, you might also enjoy this awesome Nutella frosting recipe. It’s another of our favorite recipes for frosting.
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Grandmas Old Fashioned Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
- 1/2 cup softened butter
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 5 cups confectioners sugar
- 3 Tbsp milk
Instructions
- Buttercream Icing Recipe
- In a large mixing bowl cream butter and shortening with electric mixer. Add vanilla.
- Gradually add in sifted confectioners sugar, one cup at a time beating on medium speed.
- Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. When all of the sugar has been mixed in, icing will appear dry. Add milk and beat at medium speed for 3 minutes.
- Keep icing covered with a damp cloth until ready to decorate. For best results, keep icing bowl in refrigerator when not using.
- Icing can be stored in an air tight container for up to a week. Just re-whip it in your mixer before using. Makes 3 1/2 cups.
Notes
- Store at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is a calculated guesstimate. Please note that this can change with different brands and modifications you may make to the recipe. For the most accurate information, use a nutritional calculator with the exact brands and measurements you’re using with each recipe.
©PinkWhen 2023
I hope you enjoy this Old Fashioned Vanilla Buttercream Frosting recipe as much as we have. I can’t wait to make this over and over this holiday season while we are making and baking all of our holiday desserts. Do you have a favorite recipe you like to use?
I’ve pinned this. Just the kind of recipe I like to have on hand:)
That’s awesome! Thanks so much Seanna 🙂
I find that a good buttercream recipe is worth its weight in gold! There are so many bad buttercreams out there, especially the store-bought kind with chemicals.
Hi Jennifer! This recipe sounds great! I was thinking of using it for my son’s birthday party but am wondering . . . how do you store the cake once decorated? I am hoping to have the cake done the night before the party. Also, is this a “crusting” buttercream? Thanks!
Hi Kelly! My mom made cakes for a long time (years ago) and she always went by the rule to keep the cake in a cool environment (the fridge) and pull it out a couple of hours before you plan on serving it. I recently had a party here and picked one up at the bakery and they said as long as it stays 72 in the house you could leave it out for 2 days, but no longer than that before throwing it out. I do not think this is a “crusting” buttercream. It stays really smooth!