Skip to main content

Simple Frosting

This is a basic frosting good for cupcakes and decorated cookies. This makes enough frosting for one 9-inch cake or 24 cupcakes.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes about 2 cups

Ingredients

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Beat until light and fluffy: 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened.

    Step 2

    Beat in: 1 1/3 cups powdered sugar, sifted.

    Step 3

    Continue beating until light and fluffy. Add: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice.

    Step 4

    Beat until smooth.

  2. Variation

    Step 5

    Flavor the frosting with 2 ounces melted, but not warm, bittersweet chocolate, or with 1/2 teaspoon lemon, orange, or tangerine zest.

The Art of Simple Food
Read More
Grab your Easter basket and hop in—you’ll want to collect each and every one of these fun and easy Easter recipes.
A warmly spiced Ashkenazi charoset, perfect for your Passover seder—or spooned over yogurt the next morning.
Like airy lemon chiffon cake and a Cadbury egg–inspired tart.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Like lemony risotto and tandoori-style cauliflower.
Think a Hugo spritz, a gin basil smash, and plenty more patio-ready pours.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.