Making your own cake frosting is a great way to save money and have control over the ingredients that go into it. This recipe for basic cake frosting is easy to follow and only requires a few simple ingredients. With this frosting, you can customize your cakes to fit your specific taste preferences.
What ingredients are needed for basic cake frosting
In order to make this basic cake frosting recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

How do I make basic cake frosting?
- Begin by creaming the butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until it is light and fluffy.
- Add 2 cups of confectioners’ sugar to the bowl and mix on low speed until it is incorporated.
- Raise the speed to medium and slowly add the milk and vanilla extract while continuing to mix.
- Add the remaining 2 cups of confectioners’ sugar and mix on low speed until it is incorporated.
- Raise the speed to medium-high and mix until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Use the frosting immediately or store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
This basic cake frosting recipe is enough to frost 12 cupcakes or a 9-inch cake. If you want to make a double-layer cake, you will need to double the recipe.
Customizing your cake frosting
Once you have mastered this basic cake frosting recipe, you can start to experiment with different flavors and ingredients. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Add 1/2 cup of cocoa powder to the recipe to make chocolate frosting.
For a mint flavor, add 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract in place of the vanilla extract.
If you want a citrus flavor, add the zest of one lemon or orange to the frosting.
Add 1/4 cup of instant coffee powder to make the mocha frosting.
The sky is the limit when it comes to customizing your cake frosting. Be creative and have fun with it!

What flavors can be made with basic cake frosting
There are endless possibilities when it comes to flavors for cake frosting. Some popular flavors include chocolate, vanilla, mint, citrus, and mocha. However, the sky is the limit when it comes to flavor combinations. Get creative and experiment with different flavors to find your perfect combination or even try it with skinny margaritas.
With this basic cake frosting recipe, you can easily make a delicious and customized frosting for your cakes and cupcakes.
How to store cake frosting
This cake frosting recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. When ready to use it, allow the frosting to come to room temperature and then mix it until it is light and fluffy.
Tips and tricks for making perfect cake frosting
- Make sure all of your ingredients are at room temperature before you begin. This will help them to mix together more easily.
- When measuring the confectioners’ sugar, be sure to sift it first to avoid any lumps in your frosting.
- Add the milk slowly while mixing on low speed. If you add it too quickly, it can cause the frosting to become too thin.
- If your frosting is too thick, you can add more milk a little bit at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.
- If your frosting is too thin, you can add more confectioners’ sugar a little bit at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.

FAQ
How make icing for cake at home?
In order to make this basic cake frosting recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Begin by creaming the butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until it is light and fluffy. Add 2 cups of confectioners’ sugar to the bowl and mix on low speed until it is incorporated. Raise the speed to medium and slowly add the milk and vanilla extract while continuing to mix. Add the remaining 2 cups of confectioners’ sugar and mix on low speed until it is incorporated. Raise the speed to medium-high and mix until the frosting is light and fluffy. Use the frosting immediately or store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
What is homemade frosting made of?
This basic cake frosting recipe is made with unsalted butter, confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. You can also add different flavors to the frosting to customize it to your taste.
What is the main base of frosting?
The main base of this cake frosting recipe is unsalted butter. The butter is creamed with an electric mixer to make it light and fluffy. Then, the confectioners’ sugar is slowly added to the butter while continuing to mix. Milk and vanilla extract are also added to the frosting to thin it out and add flavor.
What is the easiest way to icing a cake?
The easiest way to ice a cake is to use a piping bag and tip. First, fit the piping bag with the tip of your choice. Then, fill the piping bag with frosting and pipe it onto the cake in whatever design you like.
Piping icing on a cake is the easiest way to get a smooth and evenly spread layer of frosting. You can also use a spatula to spread the frosting on the cake, but it may not be as smooth.
Overall
This easy-to-make, frosting recipe will be a new favorite of yours. Made from 4 simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen and it’s perfect for anything from cakes or cupcakes all the way down to soft sugar cookies! It has just enough sweetness but not too much butter so no matter what kind of dessert YOU want to be smothered with this sweet treat – it’ll work perfectly every time! Give it a try and let us know how you liked it in the comments below!

I’m Michael Barnes and I love what I do. Every day, I get to work with the land and help create something that is essential for life. But it’s not always easy. Every day brings new challenges or unexpected natural disasters in order to produce what we need every day: meat; fruit, juice, and healthy dairy products!