Dessert & Treats Recipes Cake Recipes Fillings & Frostings Buttercream Frosting Recipes Basic Buttercream 3.4 (554) Prep Time: 10 mins Total Time: 10 mins Yield: Makes 6 cups (enough to frost one 8-inch layer cake) Easy to make, this sweet and basic buttercream recipe is the perfect topper to any birthday cake. Directions Beat butter and 3 cups sugar with a mixer on medium speed until combined. Reduce speed to medium-low, and continue to beat, gradually adding remaining 6 cups sugar, 1 cup at a time. Raise speed to medium-high; add vanilla. Beat until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes more.