Easy Vanilla Frosting Recipe

Sometimes you need a fast and easy vanilla frosting recipe made from ingredients you already have in your pantry. Frost a cake, cupcakes, or cookies with a delicious frosting in minutes using this simple recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Vanilla Frosting

Extremely simple. You only need four ingredients and three easy steps.

Customize with ease. This is a simple go-to vanilla buttercream frosting recipe but it can be flavored or colored to match your needs. I make some suggestions for you.

Flexible. Make this recipe dairy-free. Make it vegan.

Equipment Needed to Make Homemade Vanilla Frosting

Stand Mixer. You can make frosting with a hand mixer, but it is harder to get a beautiful, fluffy frosting.

Spatula. You’ll need to scrape the sides of the bowl to make sure all of the ingredients have been thoroughly incorporated. A spatula is the best tool for the job.

Ingredients for Vanilla Frosting

• Solid Vegetable Shortening. You can use butter if that’s what you have, but butter will give it a yellow color or a yellow tinge to any color you add.
• Vanilla Extract. Pure vanilla extract is preferred for flavor.
• Powdered Sugar. Also known as confectioner’s sugar or icing sugar, this finely ground sugar is perfect for smooth, light, fluffy frostings like our easy vanilla frosting recipe.
• Milk or Water. You can even use a dairy-free option if you like.
• Meringue Powder. Optional. This ingredient will help add stiffness and stabilization. If you or someone eating this frosting has an egg allergy, leave it out.

Please note, that the printable recipe card has the full list of ingredients, quantities, complete instructions, and nutritional information. The following is a quick overview of the recipe.

How to Make Vanilla Frosting

First, mix the shortening with water or milk. Mix it until it is smooth and shiny. Add the vanilla and blend thoroughly. Then add the powdered sugar and meringue powder and beat it until it is light and fluffy. Add food coloring if desired.

Once the food coloring has been added, you may need to add more milk or water to get the consistency you want. You may also add more powdered sugar a little at a time if the frosting isn’t quite thick enough.

How Much Vanilla Frosting Does This Recipe Make?

This recipe makes 3 cups which easily frosts a two-layer cake, 24 cupcakes, or a 9×13 cake. You can easily make half or double the recipe.

What to Serve with Vanilla Frosting

This basic recipe is so good for any of your frosting needs! Use it on cakes, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, cookie cakes, or even on ice cream cakes or truffles.

Substitutions and Additions

Clear Vanilla – Use clear vanilla extract to keep your frosting white. I love doing this especially when I want to add sprinkles for birthdays or holidays.

Vanilla Bean Paste – Replace vanilla extract with vanilla bean paste to give it that old-fashioned look.

Lemon – Use lemon extract and a couple of drops of yellow food coloring for spring or spring holidays.

Strawberry – Use strawberry extract and a couple of drops of pink food coloring.

How To Store Vanilla Frosting

This frosting will dry out quickly if left to the open air. If you are using it to decorate a cake with a lot of piping, place a wet paper towel over the top to keep it moist until you are finished.

Best Way To Store Homemade Vanilla Frosting

Keep your leftover frosting in an airtight container or freezer-quality plastic zipper bag. Put it in the refrigerator.

How Long Will This Vanilla Frosting Recipe Last In the Fridge?

Keep your leftover frosting no more than one week in an airtight container. Use leftovers on graham crackers for a fun after school snack.

Can I Freeze/Thaw Vanilla Frosting

Yes! Frosting freezes beautifully and will keep for six months if frozen in an airtight container.

Homemade Vanilla Frosting FAQs

Tips to Make the Perfect Vanilla Frosting

Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl a few times to incorporate all of the ingredients. The shortening can stick to the sides.

If you live in a warmer climate or it is a hot sticky day, freeze the cake for fifteen minutes before frosting it to prevent crumbs.

Other Frosting Recipes You’ll Love

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

Peanut Butter Frosting

Cream Cheese Frosting

Buttercream Frosting

Bubblegum Buttercream from my friend at Affair From the Heart.

Don’t forget to stop back and let me know how your Vanilla Frosting recipe turned out. I’d love to know what you decorated too!