This delicious Fluffy Vanilla Buttercream Frosting is crusting recipe that is perfect for cake decorating! This American Buttercream is similar to our Classic Vanilla Buttercream recipe, however, it has a lighter, fluffier texture due to the shortening in the recipe.
Fluffy Vanilla Buttercream: A Crusting Recipe
- What is a crusting buttercream? As the name suggests, crusting frostings like this one develop a very thin crust when exposed to air. In as little as 5-10 minutes, a cake frosted in a crusting buttercream can be lightly touched without removing any of the frosting. Beneath that thin layer, the frosting remains soft.
- Many cake decorators love to use the “Viva Paper Towel method” of smoothing when working with crusting buttercreams. Simply frost the cake, sweep around the sides and top with your spatula (or bench scraper) of choice, and then allow it to sit for a few minutes before smoothing over it with a paper towel.
- (Viva brand paper towels are a popular choice for this paper towel method of smoothing because it has no quilting or impressions.)
- You can find more information on this method of smoothing here: Leopard Print Buttercream (using the Viva Paper Towel Method).
Helpful Hints
- This Fluffy Vanilla Buttercream frosting contains both butter and shortening. Because of the shortening, it is slightly more heat resistant than an all-butter frosting recipe, and it is lighter in color than an all-butter buttercream recipe.
- If heat is more of a concern, you could switch to an all shortening (no butter) frosting recipe like this one: High Ratio Frosting. All frostings will melt if the weather is hot enough, but shortening certainly is more resistant than butter.
- If you are looking for a crusting frosting that does not contain any shortening, we love our Classic Vanilla Buttercream recipe also. You can find it here!: Classic Vanilla Buttercream.
- We often use clear vanilla in our buttercream frosting recipes because real vanilla gives vanilla buttercream more of an off-white or ivory color. However, this may not bother you! It simply comes down to personal preference or the design of your cake.
** Important note about the sugar: We’ve had great results with Domino’s confectioners sugar and US Sugar (we buy ours from Costco). Some brands of confectioners sugar don’t work as well with buttercream frosting recipes. If a package doesn’t say pure cane sugar, it contains beet sugar which is more likely to give you a grainy outcome.
In addition to that, we’ve noticed that even some brands that say “Pure Cane Sugar” will give a grainy consistency. So frustrating! One example is Dixie Crystals (although it used to work great for us a few years ago.) Something has changed…it’s a mystery. Anyway, this recipe should not be grainy, and so if it is, experiment with a different brand of confectioners sugar.
Fluffy Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
This fluffy vanilla buttercream recipe is perfect for piping and works great with the viva paper towel method! Good flavor, and contains shortening which makes is a bit more heat resistant.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. confectioners' sugar 910 g
- ½ cup (1 stick) (113 g ) unsalted butter softened (soften on countertop rather than microwave for best results)
- 1 ½ cups solid vegetable shortening (such as Crisco or Trex) 286 g. or 10 oz. by weight. ** If using hi ratio shortening, see below)
- 2 Tablespoons clear vanilla extract 24 g
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon butter flavoring (if you are leaving out the butter and using all shortening)
- ¼ teaspoons lemon or almond extract 1 g (OPTIONAL )
- ¼ cup milk ( 57 g) any milk is fine but I like milk with higher fat content. You could substitute water too (See below)
- ½ teaspoon salt to cut the sweetness. We use popcorn salt because of its fine grain. If using table salt, you can dissolve it in the milk before adding.
Instructions
- Cream butter, shortening , salt and extracts until creamy and smooth.
- Add powdered sugar and milk. Mix thoroughly on medium speed for approximately 8 minutes. For the last two minutes decrease the mixing speed to VERY SLOW ( number 2 speed on a KitchenAid) until creamy and smooth. Scrape the sides of the bowl occasionally during the mixing process.
Notes
*If I use a high ratio shortening (such as CK or Sweetex brand) I decrease the shortening amount to 1 ¼ cups (236 g.) and increase the milk, ¼ cup plus 2 to 3 Tablespoons milk or enough to make it the consistency you like.
*I used to always use water for this recipe, but I switched to milk for flavor & also because when you use a higher fat milk for your liquid, the buttercream still has a nice crust to it, but it doesn't crust quite so quickly or so hard as if you use water.
*Makes about 6 cups of frosting-- you can half it, or freeze the leftovers if you don't need this much! (One cup of frosting frosts about 12 cupcakes with a simple swirl using a 2D tip)
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Hi Terri, The amount is before sifting. However, sometimes when opening a new plastic bag of confectioners sugar it will not need sifting. The amount of confectioners sugar given in the recipe will vary, you may need a bit more or less depending on where you live and the humidity.
I weigh the powdered sugar then sift
BeBe and Jenny, thank you both very much!! I LOVE this site!!!!!!??
This sounds delicious! Will I be able to pipe “monster fur” with this recipe? I plan to use the grass tip for one cake and star tip 18 or 21 for the fur on the second cake. Will this be stiff enough to hold up? Thanks!
Hi Gloria, Yes, it will be stiff enough for your piping. The stiffness will vary due to the heat and humidity in your area. If it is not stiff enough, just add more powdered sugar until it is the consistency you need.
I have a question. My icing gets greay while on the cake after a day or so and I ont refrigerate due to drying out. so is there something I’m doing wrong?
I meant greasy. lol
Will this icing be snow white in color? If not, would adding some Americolor bright white gel paste help? Thanks
Hi Deborah, It does look white, but is not perfectly white because it has one stick of butter. It would be fine to add Americolor bright white if you would like to.
Hi! I used this recipe as frosting for my daughter’s birthday cake, wondering if you can help me troubleshoot as to why when I tried piping rosettes it literally fell off the cake? At one point half the cake of rosettes fell off. I ended up mixing an all butter-buttercream and it eventually stayed on the cake. I want to use this recipe as it tasted good and the colour was a nice white for a wedding cake I’m going to be making soon.
Thanks!
Hi Alexina, I’m sorry that you had trouble with the rosettes falling off! Were you piping rosettes all over the cake? Next time I would crumb coat the cake and immediately start your piping. This will help the rosettes to attach a bit better than if you were trying to pipe onto a fully crusted crumb coat. If this wasn’t your situation, then it could be that the frosting was a little too stiff to properly attach (you could just add a bit more liquid). Or, finally, it could be that the rosettes were attaching partially to the rosettes beneath it rather than to the cake itself and the weight eventually caused sliding. I hope that this helps!
Thanks for the reply! I think it was a combination of those you mentioned of crumb coating and too stiff. Yea the whole bottom tier was covered in rosettes. I didn’t apply the rosettes right away once I crumb coated, I wasn’t sure if it needed time to ‘set.’ I will definitely do this next time. I’m not sure if I read it here or somewhere else but to apply this recipe of crusting buttercream to a room temperature cake, that if it’s cool the buttercream will not crust like it’s supposed to? Can you please confirm this?
Thanks so much!
Hi Alexina,
A crusting buttercream takes forever to crust if applied to a cold cake due to condensation. This doesn’t really matter unless you are planning to do the Viva paper towel method of smoothing which only works if the buttercream has crusted.
As a side note, you can settle your filled, unfrosted tiers before doing the crumb coat. (I usually wrap the unfrosted tier in plastic wrap and place a book on top to apply a steady (but not crushing) pressure for a few hours. Then you can apply the crumb coat and final coat to the cake.
Let me know if you have any more questions!
Thank you! I haven’t used this buttercream as a filling yet but wondering if it will still have that slight crust to it if used as a filling. You mentioned before to use a little less powdered sugar if I wanted it to have less of a crust if using a a filling.
Thanks!
No, a crusting buttercream doesn’t form a crust when used as a filling since it’s not exposed to the air (and the crust is so thin that even if it did form you wouldn’t notice). You can use less powdered sugar for a frosting that crusts less…not so much for the filling but if you are doing cupcakes, you may prefer a softer frosting. It’s just personal preference.
Thank you! I’m curious if you have a non crusting buttercream that is made with shortening and butter so that it’s still more white than an all butter- buttercream? Or maybe just use less sugar with this recipe? If so how much less sugar would you recommend?
Thanks a million
Is it safe to leave cake out if using this frosting
Hi Sylvia, Yes, it can be left out. It can be left out approximately 3 days unless you are in a very hot, humid climate. After that amount of time it begins to have an “off” taste.
Hi Sylvia can I add cream cheese and make it a cream cheese crusting frosting? Thank you.
Hi Sylvia, This is a Crusting Cream Cheese recipe from one of our members that you might like, Crusting Cream Cheese Frosting
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butted
8 oz. cream cheese – slightly softened
1 Tablespoon clear Vanilla Extract
2 lbs. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
In the mixer combine the shortening, butter, salt and cream cheese
Add vanilla
Gradually add powdered sugar
Mix until combined
Once cooled in the fridge can you paint a watercolor picture on this icing?
Hi Samantha, you can paint on this buttercream after it has crusted using a very light touch. I haven’t experimented with painting on the cake when it is cold. If you’d like to try it, you could experiment with this by frosting a plate, chilling, and painting to make sure that condensation will not be an issue for you.
(There’s a Tulip Cake in our member cake video section where I painted tulips all over the buttercream if you’d like to see!) https://www.mycakeschool.com/video-tutorials/painting-on-buttercream-video-field-of-tulips/
Hi, is there a nice crusting recipe using a coconut crisco and/or dairy and soy free butter and also a non dairy milk? I have a child allergic to soy and dairy.
Hi Jennifer, I am sorry but we do not have experience with a coconut shortening. There is a Spectrum shortening that has coconut oil, I am not sure of the other ingredients but you might want to do a Google search on it. You can use water in place of milk in a buttercream recipe. The buttercream will crust more quickly if using water. Good luck.
Can you tell me if you can use Swiss Buttercream for the Rainbow Cake that you did the free video for ? I love Swiss Buttercream and have used it a lot, but not in the way this cake was made and I do want to make it for my daughters birthday it is so colorful and I love the cake rainbow topper with the clouds thank goodness for your free blog recipes and demonstrations, really love this site. But, unfortunately I cannot afford to enroll in the Cake School just yet. I so enjoy learning what I can from your free videos on the blog. Your a wonderful instructor and so very clear and so things slowly for beginners and explaining all the steps as you go is also very helpful. Thank you so much , hope to become a student soon. ..
Has anyone else noticed in the ingredients that there is one listed as 1/2 teaspoon but teaspoon of what isn’t put on there. Now I’m assuming since you begin talking about popcorn salt that this is suppose to be 1/2 teaspoon salt but the actual ingredient isn’t listed in the ingredients.
Hi Pamela, Yes, it should read salt. Thanks for letting us know, I have made the correction.
I just made this recipe with the hi ratio shortening and it really is delicious and fluffy! I wish you would add how to store and for how long in fridge or freezer to the instruction part. I feel like I spend so much time reading thru the comments to find how long this will keep.
My question is…today is sunday and will be frosting my cakes on friday. Should I keep this in freezer till Thursday or should I keep it in the fridge? How long will this keep in freezer and in fridge.
Thanks!
Ansa
Hi Ansa, If the butter and milk used in the recipe are not near their expiration date, it will be fine to keep the frosting in the refrigerator. We have frozen frosting for 2 months with no problem. Whether you refrigerated or freeze, once it comes to room temperature you will need to stir or remix to fluff it up a bit before frosting your cake.
Hi, How many batches of this icing will I need to frost a 2 layer 8″ cake?
Hi Gloria, The recipe makes 6 cups frosting. You need approximately 4 cups to frost a 2 layer 8 inch cake. The recipe will give you extra frosting for any decorative piping you might want to do. I want to let you know that on the home page of the site, you will see the Member Resources Heading on the right side of the screen. Click on Select a Page and you will find the Wilton Serving Chart that gives batter and frosting amounts. This will help you get a quick answer in the future.
My icing is crumbling before I get it all applied. Does it need more liquid?
Hello, I have two questions, did you use a flat beater or the whisk beater for this recipe? Also, my son is allergic to nuts. Can I use the almond extract?
Hi Debbie, We use the flat beater for this recipe. The almond extract is an optional ingredient so you can leave it out with no problem.
Hi Melissa and Be Be, I was wondering if I could substitute lemon juice for the milk? I’m going to use this for your palette knife technique and since I am a cottage food operator I can’t use mil. And I’m using your doctored lemon cake. It will be decorated tomorrow but won’t be at the event until Sunday. Thanks so much!!
Hi Terri, We have found that lemon juice does not give us the lemon flavor that lemon extract does. I recommend using 2 teaspoons lemon extract and no vanilla extract for a lemon buttercream. You could use water as needed instead of milk in the recipe. Adding the zest of 1 lemon also adds more lemon flavor. Using a microplane is the best way to zest. Using water instead of milk does cause the buttercream to crust more quickly, so keep that in mind because you may need to work more quickly in case you are going to smooth the frosting using the Viva towel method. Below is a link to our Lemon Buttercream recipe in case you would like to adapt it to your needs. Hope all goes well.
https://www.mycakeschool.com/recipes/lemon-buttercream-frosting/
Hello! Would you recommend this icing, all butter buttercream or hi-ratio icing for flowers? I am doing a cupcake bouquet for 03/29. Thanks!
Can I use freeze dried strawberries in this frosting? If so, how much? Thank you. Jackie
Hi Jackie, It seems that you should be able to, but we have never used freeze dried strawberries so I can’t give you a definite answer.
If I wanted to add fresh strawberry purée to this frosting, should I reduce the amount of liquid?
Hi Anne, Strawberry puree may be the only liquid you add or a combination of both. Below is a link to our Strawberry Buttercream recipe. You can us it as a guide, it makes only approx. 4 1/2 cups and this recipe makes 6 cups, but you can make adjustments.
How much buttercream would I need for a 10 inch 3 layer cake? Also can I use this under fondant. It won’t go soft? I am from the Uk so it’s not too hot her at the moment. Thanks Carolyn
Hi Carolyn, Yes, this will work well under fondant. This recipe makes 6 cups of frosting. For three 10 inch layers you will need approximately 7 1/2 cups. Depending on whether or not you crumb coat the cake, how thick you fill the layers and the amount of decorative piping you will be doing. If you increase the recipe by 1/2 you should have enough or you could double it and freeze any leftovers for future use. Below is a link to a Cake Batter and Approx. cups for Frosting. The chart is based on 2 layer cakes but you can adjust. I think you will find it helpful.
http://fromkarenskitchen.com/tips/party_cake_batter_amounts_baking_times_2inch_pan.php
I am very particular about buttercream and have been searching for the perfect recipe. Thank you for sharing this recipe because now I’ve found it! :)
Hi,
Amazing recipe. Can I use vegan Margarine spread Or stork baking block with the trex instead of butter? I have a request for vegan/ lactose free buttercream.
Thanks,
Carolyn
Hi,
Amazing recipe. Can I use vegan Margarine spread Or stork baking block with the trex instead of butter? I have a request for vegan/ lactose free buttercream.
Thanks,
Carolyn
Hi Carolyn, We have never used vegan margarine or baking block so I don’t have first hand experience on the outcome. I did a quick search (link below). The info there was that the vegan margarine should be firm, not soft as it comes out of the refrigerator….so just from that one source it appears that it could be used with success. You might want to review some other sources. I would love to know if you like the result after you make it.
Link below
https://lovingitvegan.com/vegan-buttercream-frosting/
I made the marble cake and it’s looking delicious! Will this frosting crust enough to set a mermaid doll on top or do I need to wrap the bottom half in plastic wrap and stick her into the cake?
I subscribed to your newsletter because your cakes are so beautiful even though I don’t decorate often…..
Judy
@Judy- Glad that you made the marble cake! The frosting does crust nicely but if the doll pushes past that very thin top layer of crusted frosting, the frosting beneath that layer will still be soft. Also, placing a doll on top could work, but it will make impressions in the frosting (even if the frosting is crusted). I hope this answers your question!
Thank you for the quick response! I’ll play it safe and wrap it put it in the cake.
Judy
Can you give me an update on the best confectioners sugar you use? I have been using dixie crystals because everytime I got domino’s, it seemed to have clumped up in my container. I used to use Domino’s but then switched back to dixie crystals only because it didn’t clump up so much in my container.
Hi Tisha, We most often use the U.S. brand pure cane sugar from Costco. We also like Domino’s confectioners sugar. We once liked liked Dixie Crystals, but have not used in in several years. Their package says pure cane sugar but they must have change their formulation to use more of a non caking agent because it began giving our buttercream a gritty mouth feel. Gritty buttercream happens when using beet sugar instead of cane sugar. We always sift our confectioners sugar just to be sure there are no clumps. You can sometimes skip the sifting if you are using a new plastic bag of sugar.
Hi Melissa. I’m trying your fluffy buttercream recipe for the first time. I assume the crisco, butter and extract ingredients will only take a minute or two to mix into a non lumpy creamy consistency as opposed to the several minutes at med high to cream just butter until it lightens in color. I need to confirm that Once the sugar and milk are combined I mix at medium speed for 8 mins and then on low for an additional 2
Minutes which would be 10 mins of mixing.
if I want to add food gel ( already knowing how much to use to get the desired color) does it matter if I add it right after the milk? Or would it be better to add during 8 min mixing?
Thought I’d ask with a more direct question. How long does it usually take for you to cream together the butter, crisco, salt and extracts?
Its a couple of minutes for just butter.
Hello, I am making a flag cake with red white and blue layers of cake. Can I use this frosting to crumb coat before I pipe rosettes on the cake? Also, should I freeze the cake layers first, and then assemble cake and crumb coat? Or is this a bad idea? Thank you for your help!
Hi Laura, yes you can use this frosting for a crumb coat, final coat, filling, etc.
We often freeze our cake layers and then assemble while they are still cold or partially frozen- they are less fragile that way. It’s up to you! But the frosting will be fine for that.
The only time that you wouldn’t want to frost semi-frozen cake layers is if you were planning to do the Viva paper towel method of smoothing (where you smooth over the crusted frosting). The slight bit of condensation that forms prevents the frosting from crusting as usual- or at least it takes a lot longer to crust. It sounds like you are doing rosettes though and so no problem! ;0)