10+ Frosting Recipes Easy to Make for Delicious Homemade Treats

Frosting can turn any baked treat into something special. Whether you’re making cupcakes, cakes, or cookies, having a go-to frosting recipe means you can add a sweet finish without much hassle.

Easy frosting recipes use basic ingredients and simple steps, so you won’t get stuck in the kitchen all day.

You don’t need fancy skills to make tasty frosting at home. Just grab a few pantry staples, follow a couple of straightforward steps, and you’ll have fluffy, smooth frosting ready to spread.

This guide brings you easy frosting recipes you can whip up and enjoy—maybe even share, if you’re feeling generous.

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Ingredients:

• Unsalted butter
• Confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar)
• Vanilla extract
• Milk or cream

Cooking Instructions:

1. Beat softened unsalted butter until creamy.
2. Slowly add confectioners’ sugar and mix well.
3. Add vanilla extract for flavor.
4. Gradually pour in milk or cream until you reach the desired consistency.
5. Beat the mixture until fluffy and smooth.

1) Classic American Buttercream Frosting

Classic American buttercream is a staple—it’s creamy, sweet, and you can throw it together in no time. You only need a handful of ingredients.

Butter and powdered sugar make the base, while vanilla extract brings the flavor. A splash of cream helps keep it smooth and spreadable.

You can tweak the sweetness or texture to your liking. Want it softer? Just add a bit more cream.

This frosting holds up well at room temperature, so it’s a solid choice for parties.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Beat the softened butter on medium speed until creamy.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing well after each addition.
3. Add vanilla extract, cream, and salt.
4. Beat on high speed for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
5. If needed, add more cream to reach your desired consistency.

For more details, visit this American buttercream recipe.

2) Fluffy Vanilla Buttercream

Fluffy vanilla buttercream is light, airy, and classic. It’s perfect for topping cakes or cupcakes.

You only need a few ingredients, and you probably have them already. It’s easy to spread or pipe, so your desserts will look as good as they taste.

Adjust the sweetness by playing with the amount of powdered sugar. Vanilla extract gives it that familiar, comforting flavor.

Make sure your butter’s soft (not melted) for the best texture. Whip it long enough to get that dreamy fluffiness.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2-4 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
• Pinch of salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Beat the butter until creamy and smooth.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing well after each addition.
3. Add vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
4. Pour in milk or cream one tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
5. Beat on high speed for 3-5 minutes until light and fluffy.

3) Quick 2-Minute Vanilla Frosting

Got two minutes? You can make vanilla frosting, seriously.

It’s smooth and creamy, perfect for cupcakes or cakes. Just mix powdered sugar, butter, and a splash of milk or cream.

Add vanilla for flavor and stir until everything looks blended and fluffy. You don’t need a mixer—just a whisk or even a spoon.

If it’s too thick, add a little more milk. Too thin? Toss in more powdered sugar.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1-2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine powdered sugar and softened butter in a bowl.
2. Add milk or cream slowly while mixing.
3. Stir in vanilla extract.
4. Mix until smooth and fluffy.
5. Adjust consistency by adding more milk or powdered sugar if needed.

4) Perfect Buttercream with 4 Ingredients

You can pull off a classic buttercream with just four ingredients. It’s great for cakes, cupcakes, or cookies.

Beat softened butter until it’s light, then slowly add powdered sugar. Pour in vanilla for flavor, and add milk or cream until it’s spreadable.

Want chocolate? Throw in a little cocoa powder. Easy.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup heavy cream or milk

Cooking Instructions:

1. Beat the butter until creamy.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar and mix well.
3. Stir in vanilla extract.
4. Add heavy cream or milk little by little until you get the texture you like.

For more details, check this 4-Ingredient Original Buttercream Frosting.

5) Smooth Whipped Cream Frosting

Whipped cream frosting is light and not too sweet. It’s a nice change if you want something softer on cakes or cupcakes.

Chill your bowl and beaters first for the best results. Whip the cream until soft peaks form, then add powdered sugar and vanilla.

This frosting holds its shape well, so you can pipe it if you want. For hot days, go for a stabilized version to keep it from melting.

Ingredients

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Chill your mixing bowl and beaters in the fridge for 15-20 minutes.
2. Pour heavy cream into the bowl.
3. Beat on medium speed until soft peaks form.
4. Add powdered sugar and vanilla.
5. Continue beating until stiff peaks form.
6. Use immediately or refrigerate until ready to decorate.

6) Salted Caramel Frosting

Salted caramel frosting brings that sweet-salty magic to your desserts. It’s creamy and smooth, perfect for cakes and cupcakes.

Start by making a quick caramel sauce with brown sugar, butter, and milk. Mix that caramel with butter and powdered sugar until it’s fluffy.

A pinch of salt balances the sweetness. You can play with the salt or sugar to suit your taste.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter (softened)
• 1/2 cup homemade caramel sauce
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Make caramel sauce by melting brown sugar, butter, and milk over low heat while stirring.
2. Beat softened butter with an electric mixer for one minute.
3. Add the caramel sauce to the butter and mix until combined.
4. Gradually add powdered sugar and salt, beating until fluffy and smooth.
5. Use immediately or refrigerate until ready to frost.

For a detailed recipe, you can check this salted caramel buttercream frosting guide.

7) Chocolate Fudge Frosting

Chocolate fudge frosting is rich, creamy, and perfect for chocolate lovers. You probably have everything you need already.

Melt butter with cocoa powder and a bit of milk. Mix in powdered sugar and vanilla until it’s fluffy.

If you want it thinner, add a little more milk. This frosting’s great on brownies, too.

For the full method, check this Chocolate Fudge Frosting recipe.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Stir in cocoa powder and milk until smooth.
3. Remove from heat and gradually add powdered sugar.
4. Mix in vanilla extract.
5. Beat frosting until fluffy and spreadable.

8) Mascarpone Whipped Cream Frosting

Mascarpone whipped cream frosting is creamy, smooth, and honestly, a bit underrated. It’s easier than it sounds.

Beat cold mascarpone cheese until soft. Slowly add cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and a splash of vanilla.

Whip until you get soft peaks. This frosting holds its shape well, so it’s awesome for decorating.

It’s richer than regular whipped cream and comes together in just a few minutes.

Ingredients

• 8 oz mascarpone cheese (cold)
• 1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream (cold)
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Place mascarpone in a chilled bowl.
2. Beat on medium-low speed until smooth.
3. Slowly pour in cold heavy cream.
4. Add powdered sugar and vanilla.
5. Whip on medium-high until soft peaks form.
6. Use immediately or chill until needed.

For more details, check out this mascarpone whipped cream recipe.

9) White Chocolate Ganache

White chocolate ganache brings a smooth, creamy frosting that works wonders on cakes and cupcakes. It’s definitely sweeter than the usual chocolate ganache, but melts like a dream and gives desserts that glossy, almost showy finish.

You can use it as a filling or let it drip over the sides for a dramatic look. Honestly, it’s hard to mess this up.

To make it, heat heavy cream until it’s almost boiling—don’t let it go wild, just a gentle simmer. Pour it over chopped white chocolate and let everything hang out for a minute.

Stir until the mixture turns smooth and shiny. If you want it thicker, pop it in the fridge for a bit.

Whipping it gives you an airy, lighter texture. Want to tweak the flavor? Add some vanilla or a pinch of salt to cut through the sweetness.

It’s a simple way to make your bakes look and taste fancy, without a ton of effort. If you want to dive deeper, check out this White Chocolate Ganache Recipe.

Ingredients

• 8 oz white chocolate, chopped
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl or saucepan until it just starts to simmer (about 200°F/93°C).
2. Pour the hot cream over the chopped white chocolate.
3. Let it sit for 1 minute to soften the chocolate.
4. Stir gently until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
5. Add vanilla extract if you like and mix well.
6. Use immediately for a pourable ganache, or chill to thicken before frosting.

10) Cereal Milk Whipped Cream

Cereal Milk Whipped Cream puts a playful spin on classic whipped cream. You infuse cream with cereal flavors before whipping, so your desserts end up tasting like that sweet, nostalgic milk at the bottom of your cereal bowl.

Fruity Pebbles work great, but honestly, any colorful, fruity cereal gets the job done. It’s awesome on cakes, pies, pancakes, or cupcakes.

Plus, it comes together fast. Just soak cereal in cold heavy cream and strain it.

After chilling your bowl, whip the cereal milk cream with powdered sugar until it’s fluffy. That’s it—light, tasty, and a little bit whimsical.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup Fruity Pebble cereal
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. Pour cereal into heavy cream. Let it soak for 20 minutes.

2. Strain out the cereal pieces.

3. Chill your mixing bowl for about 5-10 minutes.

4. Pour the cereal-infused cream into the cold bowl.

5. Add some powdered sugar.

6. Whip it on medium-high speed. Keep going until you see stiff peaks, usually 3-5 minutes.

7. Use right away, or stash it in the fridge until you need it.

Find the full process at Beyond Frosting’s cereal milk whipped cream page.