Buttercream frosting is a simple, delicious way to finish off any cake. Learn the basics of making buttercream frosting so that you can truly have your cake and eat it too! Whether you are a kitchen veteran or just dipping your toes in the pool of baking, you can enjoy the benefits of buttercream frosting made the old fashioned way.Though there are slight variations, buttercream frosting generally consists of butter, confectioner's sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. The recipes tend to vary on the fifth ingredient; some call for shortening, while others call for egg whites or cream. Choosing the frosting that is right for you is based on how you will use it – are you planning to decorate with it or just have it as a delectable topping to your cake? Do you have enough time to stand over the stove and cook it or do you need a faster solution?
If you are planning to decorate your cake or cupcakes, consider using a recipe formulated for decorating, such as Wilton's Buttercream Icing recipe or Kitchen Daily's Buttercream Icing for Decorating. Both of these recipes use shortening and do not require cooking. The consistency of the recipes can be adjusted as needed by adding more milk or sugar. If you need some help on ideas for decorating or a quick primer on how to get started, visit Wilton's Cake and Dessert Decorating 101. Here you can find information on how to best use buttercream frosting for decorating projects, how to mix colors and color icing, and how to get the right icing consistency.
Some bakers have found that recipes that call for shortening end up being a bit greasy. Savory Sweet Life suggests a recipe that calls for heavy cream. Their Classic Vanilla Buttercream Frosting doesn't require any cooking either, and can be used for simple spreading or decorating. Kitchen Daily also has a Buttercream Vanilla Frosting that uses an unorthodox ingredient. The use of marshmallow cream makes a light fluffy buttercream frosting, and only takes a few minutes of mixing to create. Similar to the recipe calling for marshmallow cream, this recipe for Quick Vanilla Buttercream Frosting uses whipping cream and promises fluffy, tasty results. Magnolia Bakery's Vanilla Buttercream recipe doesn't use shortening either, and mixes quickly with a small list of ingredients.
A few buttercream frosting recipes require more time over the stove. Sometimes called French Buttercream, they call for egg whites, which necessitates a few minutes of cooking. If you'd like to try this variation, try the Buttercream Icing Recipe from Sweet Celebrations by Sylvia Weinstock with Kate Manchester or the Classic Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Recipe from Taste of Home.
Perhaps your cake needs a flavored buttercream frosting, and vanilla just won't do! From Chocolate Buttercream to Key Lime Buttercream, Wilton offers many variations on the classic vanilla recipe – sure to be the true "icing on the cake"!
As you begin your sweet, cake-making journey, use buttercream frosting for the final, perfect finishing touch.