Extra Special Buttercream Icing Recipes

EXTRA SPECIAL BUTTERCREAM ICING

Steps:

• Cream butter and shortening until fluffy.
• Add sugar, meringue powder, about half of the cream, and continue creaming until well blended.
• Add salt, flavorings and enough whipping cream to make the consistency you need.
• Beat at medium speed until icing is fluffy.
• You may substitute all shortening for the butter, which will give a pure white icing, but the flavor will not be quite as good.
• I used butter and real vanilla and the icing turned out a very pale ivory, which I personally prefer to a stark-white icing.
• The meringue powder gives the icing a light crust, but it remains soft underneath.

VANILLA BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, using the paddle or whisk attachment whip butter on medium-high speed (if using whisk attachment whip on high speed) until nearly white and very fluffy, about 7 - 8 minutes, frequently scrapping down the sides of the bowl.
• Add in powdered sugar, heavy cream and vanilla extract and mix on low speed until blended, then increase speed to medium and beat until very light and fluffy, about 5 - 6 minutes, frequently scraping down the sides of the bowl.
• Immediately spread over cooled cake or cupcakes.

SPECIAL BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Cream shortening until fluffy. Add confectioner's sugar and continue creaming until well blended.
• Add salt, vanilla, and whipping cream blend on low speed until moistened. Add additional whipping cream if necessary (up to 2 ounces). Beat at high speed until frosting is fluffy.

RICK'S SPECIAL BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, cream shortening until fluffy. Add sugar, and continue creaming until well blended.
• Add salt, vanilla, and 6 ounces whipping cream. Blend on low speed until moistened. Add additional 2 ounces whipping cream if necessary. Beat at high speed until frosting is fluffy.

QUICK AND ALMOST-PROFESSIONAL BUTTERCREAM ICING

Steps:

• Cream room temperature butter with a hand mixer, the paddle attachment of a stand mixer, or a wooden spoon until smooth and fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until fully incorporated. Beat in vanilla extract.
• Pour in milk and beat for an additional 3 to 4 minutes. Add food coloring, if using, and beat for thirty seconds until smooth or until desired color is reached.