Vanilla Buttercream

I need to share with you my recipe for vanilla buttercream.  I’ve been making quite a lot of buttercream lately (and conveniently often have a tin foil-wrapped ball of it in my freezer).  I want to share all of my fluffy-icing-topped recipes with you.  But first you need the basics.  This is a recipe from my go-to baking blog, Annie’s Eats.  If you haven’t checked out this blog yet, you really must.  It’s what I aspire to…

Here’s what you need:

1 1/2 cups plus 2 tbsp. butter, at room temperature

3 cups icing sugar

Pinch of salt

2 tbsp. heavy cream

1 tbsp. vanilla extract

1 vanilla bean, scraped of its’ seeds (optional)

Here’s what you do:

Whip the butter on medium speed in a stand mixer until smooth.  Unless, of course, your stand mixer mysteriously broke after a particularly rigorous bout with a batch of fondant over the holidays, in which case:  use your electric beaters (see below) and hint strongly to your husband that an appropriate Valentine’s Day present would be this.

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Add the icing sugar and continue to mix until just combined.  Add the salt and continue to beat until the mixture is smooth.

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Mix in the cream and vanilla (and vanilla beans) on medium speed until just incorporated, and then increase to high speed until the icing is soft and fluffy.
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So there you have it.  Simple vanilla buttercream.  Just as easy as going to the store and buying it.  Stay tuned:  there are cupcake and macaron recipes coming your way that will allow you the opportunity to use your newfound buttercream-making skills.

6 comments on “Vanilla Buttercream

  1. yummmmmm….just in time for Valentines….I’m thinking it’s going to be stormy on Saturday…what a great opportunity to do some valentines baking….hurry with the other recipes Jessie!

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