Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Recipe

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Recipe

There are few things I would rather have for dessert other than cake. Skip the fancy stuff, my first choice is a big cupcake with mounds and mounds of butter cream frosting. I knew Sophia took after me when she tasted David’s whipped cream frosted birthday cake last May, with a total look of disappointment on her face. David scrapes the frosting off cake, while to Sophia and I, well, it just isn’t a cake without butter cream. Cecilia is still at the point where she is happy that a one year old is getting cake.

So, I wanted to make something special for labor day weekend, and thought I might try my hand at my Nona’s butter cream frosting. I’ve failed miserably at it before. Buttercream is a talent that few posses. This last batch came out pretty darn good, and I thought I would share the recipe before I forget what on earth I did to make it great. By the way, did I mention that there is nothing better to my three year old than cupcakes made from a jumbo cupcake pan? I scored extra points with my little girls by making this butter cream their favorite color (of the week)… PINK.

This frosts about 12 cupcakes, or a two layer cake with heavy tops of butter cream. The trick is to keep the butter from getting too warm. Don’t try to microwave it or let it sit out in the heat to get it to room temperature. The passing point happens too quick. It’s a tricky proposition – if it is too chilled, you get lumps of butter when you try to mix it. If it is too warm, and you’ll end up with a soupy frosting. Remember, when you mix, it will increase the temp.

This takes about 10 minutes to prepare…plus time to soften your butter and frost your cake.

Here’s what you need:

• 4 cups of confectioners sugar
• 1 stick of butter, softened…slightly cooler than room temperature.
• 3.5 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 5 drops of your favorite food coloring (optional)

Here’s what you do:

• In a large bowl, combine sugar, butter, milk and vanilla, and beat at a slow speed to incorporate. Go slow – the powdered sugar can go flying everywhere at first!
• Increase speed to medium, and beat for two more minutes. If it a little thick, add a tablespoon more of milk, one at a time. Add food coloring (optional) and mix until blended.
• After you frost your cake, refrigerate.