Quick and Almost-Professional Buttercream Icing: A Guide to Making the Best Frosting
With over 1,500 rave reviews and a 4.6-star rating, this top-rated buttercream icing recipe is a must-try for anyone looking to elevate their baking game. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of buttercream, exploring what it is, how to make it, and tips for storing, freezing, and perfecting this sweet and fluffy frosting.
What is Buttercream?
Buttercream is a sweet and fluffy frosting made by creaming butter and sugar. Other common ingredients include milk (to create the perfect texture) and vanilla (for simple, crowd-pleasing flavor). Though vanilla is the most popular buttercream flavor, it’s also commonly found in chocolate or fruit-flavored varieties. Food coloring is also added for aesthetic purposes. Use buttercream as a frosting, decoration, or filling. Spread buttercream over cake layers, dollop it onto cupcakes, or create decorative patterns with a piping bag.
What’s the Difference Between Frosting and Icing?
Frosting and icing are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference between the two. Frosting is a sweet and creamy topping made with butter, sugar, and sometimes milk or cream. Icing, on the other hand, is a thinner and more sweet glaze made with powdered sugar and liquid. In this article, we’ll focus on making the perfect buttercream frosting.
Does Buttercream Need to Be Refrigerated?
You can keep buttercream frosting on the counter for about three days. Though it contains perishable ingredients, the high sugar content keeps it from going bad immediately. After about 72 hours, you’ll need to refrigerate it.
How to Store Buttercream
Store buttercream in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days – just make sure to keep it in a cool, dark place. Keep the airtight container in the fridge if you don’t plan to use the buttercream within three days. In the refrigerator, it will last for about a week. The buttercream will likely harden in the fridge, so you might need to whip it with a whisk or hand mixer to return it to its original fluffy glory.
Can You Freeze Buttercream?
Yes! You can freeze buttercream frosting in a freezer bag or another airtight container for about three months. The day before you plan to use it, transfer it to the fridge. It should thaw overnight.
Why is My Buttercream Grainy?
If your buttercream frosting is grainy, it’s likely because you’re using the wrong type of confectioners’ sugar. Make sure to choose a variety that’s made from cane sugar, as it melts faster than beet sugar. You also might have forgotten to sift the sugar before mixing it with the butter.
How to Fix Grainy Buttercream
To fix grainy buttercream, try mixing it for a bit longer to smooth things out a bit. If that doesn’t work, add a little more liquid or let the buttercream sit overnight (if time permits) to give the sugar crystals time to melt.
Quick and Almost-Professional Buttercream Icing Recipe
This top-rated recipe yields 2 1/2 cups of buttercream frosting, perfect for frosting a standard-sized cake or decorating cupcakes. Here’s what you’ll need:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 3 drops food coloring (optional)
Instructions
1. Gather the ingredients.
2. Cream the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until smooth and fluffy.
3. Gradually beat in the confectioners’ sugar until fully incorporated.
4. Beat in the vanilla extract.
5. Add the milk and beat for an additional 3 to 4 minutes.
6. Add food coloring (if using) and beat for thirty seconds until smooth or until desired color is reached.
7. Use immediately or store buttercream in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Calories: 228
Total Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 31mg
Sodium: 4mg
Total Carbohydrate: 32g
Protein: 0g
Calcium: 8mg
Potassium: 11mg
Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise
This is so much better than store-bought icing, according to SizzleCakes. “Just be sure to use real butter; it makes all the difference.”
“I wish I could give this 10 stars,” raves GCJMMOM. “Like some other reviewers, I have always used canned icing, just because making it myself intimidated me. This was quick and easy, and so delicious!!
“This is my go-to recipe for cupcakes and cakes,” says Courtney Curtis. “Tastes great, looks fantastic, pipes well and holds its shape.”
With these tips and this recipe, you’re ready to create your own perfect buttercream frosting. Happy baking!
What is Buttercream?
Buttercream is a sweet and fluffy frosting made by creaming butter and sugar, often with milk and vanilla, and sometimes food coloring added for flavor and color. It can be used as frosting, decoration, or filling.
What’s the Difference Between Frosting and Icing?
Frosting is a sweet and creamy topping made with butter, sugar, and sometimes milk or cream, while icing is a thinner, sweeter glaze made with powdered sugar and liquid.
Does Buttercream Need to Be Refrigerated?
Buttercream frosting can stay on the counter for about three days. Refrigerate it after 72 hours. It will keep in the fridge for about a week but may need to be whipped again to restore its texture.
Can You Freeze Buttercream?
Yes, you can freeze buttercream for up to three months. Thaw it in the fridge the day before use and let it sit overnight to soften.
Why is My Buttercream Grainy?
Your buttercream might be grainy due to using the wrong type of confectioners’ sugar or forgetting to sift it.
How to Fix Grainy Buttercream?
Mix the buttercream longer, add a little more liquid, or let it sit overnight to allow sugar crystals to melt.
Quick and Almost-Professional Buttercream Icing Recipe Yield?
This recipe yields 2 1/2 cups of buttercream frosting suitable for a standard-sized cake or decorating cupcakes.
What Ingredients Are Needed for the Buttercream Icing Recipe?
Ingredients include ½ cup of unsalted butter (room temperature), 2 cups of sifted confectioners’ sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons of pure vanilla extract, 2 tablespoons of milk, and 3 drops of food coloring (optional).
What Are the Nutrition Facts of the Buttercream Frosting?
Servings: 12, Calories: 228, Total Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 31mg, Sodium: 4mg, Total Carbohydrate: 32g, Protein: 0g, Calcium: 8mg, Potassium: 11mg.
