In a bowl, grab your handheld or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat the softened butter on medium speed until it’s creamy and smooth, about 2 minutes.

Gradually add in 4 and 1/2 cups of confectioners’ sugar, the heavy cream, and the pure vanilla extract. Start beating on low speed for about 30 seconds to combine the ingredients (trust me, your kitchen will thank you for this!), then crank up the speed to medium-high and beat for a full 2 minutes until fluffy and well-aerated.

Now, here comes the taste test! Give your frosting a little taste and if you find it too sweet, add a pinch of salt to balance it out.

Need to adjust the consistency? If your frosting is a bit too thin, you can gradually add up to an additional 1/2 cup of confectioners’ sugar. If it's too thick, drizzle in more of that creamy goodness, but keep it to 1 tablespoon at a time. Beat it together, taste, and adjust as you desire.

Once you’ve reached frosting perfection, you can use it immediately to decorate your cakes and cupcakes, or store it tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. If you want to keep it longer, freeze it for up to 3 months. When it’s time to use, thaw in the fridge and then give it a quick spin on medium speed for a few seconds to bring back that creamy texture.

Enjoy your delicious creations!