Classic Buttercream Frosting Recipes

CLASSIC BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Place butter, shortening, milk, vanilla, salt and one pound of sugar in large bowl.
• Beat at low speed until combined.
• Gradually add the other pound of sugar.
• Stop and scrape sides.
• Beat on high until mixture is light and fluffy.
• Keep covered with plastic wrap to prevent crusting.
• Chocolate Buttercream: For each pound of sugar used in the butter cream, allow 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa, 3 tablespoons butter and 0.125 teaspoon salt.

CLASSIC VANILLA BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• In a small clean dry saucepan, place 2 cups sugar and then pour 1/2 cup water down the sides of the pan. Make an X in the sugar with 1 finger to encourage the water to seep into the middle of the pan of sugar. Bring to a boil and cook until softball stage or 235 degrees F on a candy thermometer.
• Meanwhile, in a mixer with a whip attachment, whip the whites until they form soft peaks. When the syrup is up to temperature, drizzle it down the wall of the mixing bowl with the mixer running. Continue whipping until light, fluffy and almost cooled down. Start adding the butter a few cubes at a time to cool the frosting and thicken it. When it gets thick you can stop adding butter; you may not use the whole pound (it depends on how much water you cooked out of your syrup). Add vanilla extract to taste.

CLASSIC BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Assemble your ingredients making sure they are room temperature. I suggest setting out the butter and cream the night before.
• Assemble your utensils. You will need one large mixing bowl, a set of measuring spoons, dry measuring cup, liquid measuring cup, soft spatula, a standard hand mixer.
• With your hand mixer beat butter in a large bowl on high speed until creamy.
• Add heavy cream and extracts (or liqueurs if desired). Beat on high for five minutes.
• Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, beating on high until light and fluffy. Scrape the sides of the bowl to ensure an even incorporation of all the sugar. .
• Your end product should be light and airy.
• Frost your favorite cake, cookie, or fill your favorite doughnut or pastry.
• FOR MOCHA OR CHOCOLATE: Substitute 1.5 cups of powdered instant coffee of your choice, or powdered cocoa in place of 1/2 cup of powdered sugar. I use Hershey's or Ghiradelli. Both work beautifully. You may also add a coffee or chocolate liqueur, both which are fantastic. Again, this recipe is very versatile. If you want a stronger and richer coffee or chocolate, you can add more powders or liqueurs to taste. Texture may vary slightly with additional ingredients. Use your discretion.

BASIC VANILLA BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter until smooth and creamy, 2 to 3 minutes. With mixer on low speed, add 6 cups sugar, milk, and vanilla; mix until light and fluffy. If necessary, gradually add remaining 2 cups sugar to reach desired consistency.

BEST BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• In small saucepan cook flour and milk until it forms a ball, stirring constantly. Cool to room temperature.
• With an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Beat both mixtures together on high speed until fluffy and smooth. Add vanilla and beat until combined. Refrigerate for about 1/2 hour, until it is of spreading consistency.

VANILLA BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• In medium bowl, mix powdered sugar and butter with spoon or electric mixer on low speed. Stir in vanilla and 1 tablespoon of the milk.
• Gradually beat in just enough remaining milk to make frosting smooth and spreadable. If frosting is too thick, beat in more milk, a few drops at a time. If frosting becomes too thin, beat in a small amount of powdered sugar. Frosts 13x9-inch cake generously, or fills and frosts an 8- or 9-inch two-layer cake.

CLASSIC VANILLA BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil; cook over medium-high heat until sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat. Add a small amount of hot mixture to egg yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Cook 2 minutes longer or until mixture thickens, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Cool to room temperature., In a bowl with the whisk attachment, cream butter until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Gradually beat in cooked sugar mixture. Beat in confectioners' sugar until fluffy, about 5 minutes. If necessary, refrigerate until frosting reaches spreading consistency. Store in the refrigerator.