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Easy Recipes for Everyone

Old Fashioned Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Home » Recipes » Old Fashioned Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Published July 9, 2020 by Jennifer. 11 Comments.
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A delicious Vanilla Buttercream Frosting recipe like Grandma made!
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4.46 from 42 votes
Fresh old fashioned vanilla buttercream frosting on a cupcake.
This buttercream frosting recipe is just like grandma made. Made with milk, butter, confectioners sugar, vanilla, and more. You won't believe how easy it is to make, or how delicious it tastes.

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!

Buttercream frosting piped onto cupcakes.

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.

Buttercream frosting on a cupcake and surrounded by sprinkles.

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
Buttercream frosting ingredients

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.

Frosting ready to be piped and placed on fresh cupcakes.

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.

cupcakes with buttercream frosting on a cake stand.

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.

Have you made this recipe? Share it with your friends and family on social media and tag us! We love to see what our readers are sharing.

Have you made this? Rate our recipe below! Print the recipe, rate it, and learn more about PinkWhen!
Fresh old fashioned vanilla buttercream frosting on a cupcake.
Review Recipe
4.46 from 42 votes
Print

Grandmas Old Fashioned Buttercream Frosting

A delicious Vanilla Buttercream Frosting recipe like Grandma made!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 512kcal
Author Jennifer West

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

  1. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days. 
  2. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 month. 
  3. Freeze for up to 3 months. 

Nutrition

Calories: 512kcal | Carbohydrates: 75g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 105mg | Potassium: 7mg | Sugar: 73g | Vitamin A: 365IU | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.1mg
**Nutrition facts are based on my best estimation for this recipe. They may not be accurate depending on what brands you use or modifications you might make to the recipe. For most accurate calculations, I recommend using a nutrition calculator with the exact brands and measurements you use with the recipe.
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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?

Buttercream frosted cupcakes on a cake stand.
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July 9, 2020 · 11 Comments

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ABOUT JENNIFER

about me

Do you feel like there is not enough time in the day? I'm with you. Hi! I'm Jen, a wife, mother, and tennis lover who likes to share all of my quick easy recipes, crafts, and more. You can find anything from delicious 30-minute dinners or scrumptious dessert recipes the whole family will love. Read more...

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Comments

  1. Seana+Turner says

    November 14, 2014 at 07:34

    I’ve pinned this. Just the kind of recipe I like to have on hand:)

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      November 14, 2014 at 07:47

      That’s awesome! Thanks so much Seanna 🙂

      Reply
  2. Tamara says

    November 15, 2014 at 10:53

    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.

    Reply
  3. Kelly says

    November 18, 2014 at 03:26

    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!

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      November 18, 2014 at 08:02

      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!

      Reply

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