Homemade Vanilla Bean Frosting Recipes

VANILLA BEAN BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Beat 2 cups of unsalted butter on a medium speed for 30 seconds until smooth with a paddle attachment / stand mixer or a hand mixer.
• Mix in 1 Tbsp vanilla bean paste and 1/2 tsp salt on a low speed.
• Slowly add in 7 cups of powdered sugar while mixing slowly on the lowest setting. Half way through add in 3 Tbsp of heavy cream or milk to make it easier to mix. I like to place a kitchen towel over my mixer to contain any powdered sugar clouds.
• Mix on low until the ingredients are fully incorporated and the desired consistency is reached.
• If the frosting is too thick, add in additional cream (1 Tbsp at a time). If the frosting is too thin, add in more powdered sugar (quarter of a cup at a time).
• If you plan to color the buttercream, add in the gel food coloring once the frosting is fully mixed and beat on low until it reach the desired colored.

VERY VANILLA FROSTING

Steps:

• In a medium mixing bowl, add powdered sugar, butter, milk and vanilla bean paste.
• With a spoon, stir ingredients together until moistened. Form a well in the center of the mixture and add food coloring if desired.
• With a hand-held electric mixer, beat on high for two minutes or until smooth and creamy. If a stiffer frosting is desired, add a little more powdered sugar at a time until desired consistency is reached. For a thinner frosting, use less powdered sugar or add a little more milk at a time until desired consistency.
• Spread frosting onto cooled cookies. Allow frosted cookies to sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes in order for frosting to become firm enough to pack cookies away in an air-tight container. Be sure to place a sheet of wax paper between each layer of cookies to prevent them from sticking together.

VANILLA BEAN AND CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Slit vanilla bean in half and use tip of knife to scrape the vanilla bean paste from each side of vanilla bean pod.
• Whip cream cheese in bowl until smooth.
• Add butter and beat to combine.
• Add vanilla extract and vanilla bean pod paste.
• Beat in powdered sugar a little at a time until frosting is thick and as sweet as you like.
• Katie mentioned that she only uses unsalted butter in her frostings and that she also "pipes" her frosting on cupcakes rather than spreading with a knife or spatula.