Versatile Buttercream Frosting Recipes

EASY VANILLA BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat butter until creamy. Beat in the confectioners' sugar, vanilla and enough milk to achieve desired consistency.

ONE BOWL BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• In medium bowl, beat butter. Add confectioners' sugar and cocoa alternately with milk, beating to spreading consistency (additional milk may be needed). Stir in vanilla.

EASIEST, MOST DELICIOUS MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Place the egg whites and sugar into a metal bowl and set over a pan filled with about 2 inches of simmering water. Heat, stirring frequently, until the temperature of the egg whites reaches 140 degrees. They will feel very hot to the touch.
• Transfer the heated egg whites and sugar to a large mixing bowl or stand mixer. Mix at high speed (or as high as you can go without egg flying out of the bowl) until they have reached their maximum volume, 5 to 10 minutes. Mix on medium or medium-high speed while pinching off small pieces of butter and throwing them in. Mix in vanilla if using. The buttercream may look like it is breaking down, but keep on mixing and it will come back together.

BUTTERCREAM FROSTING FOR DECORATIONS RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• In a large bowl, use an electric hand mixer to cream butter until smooth, but not airy. Add milk, vanilla and salt and mix to incorporate.
• Sift powdered sugar over the butter mixture. Mix until incorporated and smooth. Do not overmix, to avoid air pockets in your frosting.
• Divide the frosting and add gel food coloring as desired.
• Use a piping bag fitted with desired tip to pipe flowers onto parchment paper. Freeze the flowers for at least 20 minutes.
• Use a knife to lift frozen flowers from parchment and onto a frosted cake. Arrange as desired.
• Enjoy!

MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Place sugar, egg whites, and salt in a bowl set over a pot of simmering water. Whisk until sugar dissolves and mixture reaches 160 degrees.
• Transfer egg-white mixture to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and beat on medium speed 5 minutes. Increase speed to medium-high, and beat until stiff, glossy peaks form and meringue has cooled, about 6 minutes. Reduce speed to medium, and add butter, 1 piece at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Use immediately. Or refrigerate, covered, up to 3 days; bring to room temperature, and beat with a mixer on low speed until smooth before using.

SNICKERDOODLE CUPCAKES WITH CINNAMON BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 18 cupcake cups with liners.
• Mix together 1/3 cup sugar and cinnamon for cupcakes in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Whisk together flour, baking powder, cream of tartar, salt, and baking soda in another bowl until combined.
• Cream together butter and 1 cup sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add in egg and vanilla and mix an additional 2 minutes. Pour in half of the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Pour in buttermilk and mix until just combined. Add in remaining flour mixture and mix until just combined.
• Place 1 tablespoon of batter in the bottom of each cupcake liner. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon-sugar over the batter. Add another heaped 1 tablespoon of batter on top. Sprinkle with an additional 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon-sugar mixture. Repeat layering in each cupcake liner.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cupcakes spring back lightly when touched, 24 to 28 minutes. Allow to cool for several minutes in the pan before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
• For the frosting: Beat butter on high speed until lightened in color, about 2 minutes. Add in powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Add in heavy cream and beat until frosting is light and fluffy, an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Frost cooled cupcakes as desired.

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.

VERSATILE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Put butter, cream, and salt into a pot and heat almost to a simmer, stirring often.
• Turn off the stove and place the pot on a trivet where you'll be working.
• Add 3/4 tsp extract of your choice and stir.
• If using food coloring, add it now and also stir.
• Add 4 cups powdered sugar.
• Stir, then knead until smooth and all the powdered sugar has been absorbed.
• Put the whole thing into a large container for now and wait for it to cool to room temperature. (DO NOT REFRIDGERATE! This will cause it to set.).
• After it has cooled enough, put into a pastry bag for decorating or large-nozzle one to frost cupcakes. Or frost your cake with it. (Or eat it out of the container if having a sugar fit.).