Today, I’m excited to share with you the recipe for a staple in the sweet world – Classic American Buttercream. This beloved frosting is not just a favorite in theme parks across the globe, but also a star in countless bakeries.
American Buttercream is renowned for its ability to form a slight “crust,” making it perfect for decorating cakes and cupcakes with detailed piping. What sets it apart is its delightful sweetness and an incredibly easy preparation method. Whether you’re a baking novice or a seasoned pro, this buttercream is a go-to for creating those picture-perfect, mouthwatering treats.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb of salted butter
- 2 lbs powdered sugar
- 1 TBS imitation vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- 4 TBS Heavy Cream
- Light Corn syrup as needed (for thinning)
Essential Kitchen Gadgets:
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- Bosh Universal Plus Mixer: A must-have for achieving that light and fluffy texture. You’ll need both the whisk attachments and the paddle attachments to help smooth out the frosting. Don’t worry though, unlike a Kitchen Aid, the Bosh can also handle thick cookie doughs and even large batches of bread dough! (We LOVE ours).
- Spatula: For scraping down the bowl to ensure everything is well mixed. These silicone spatulas have great reviews and are an inexpensive add to your kitchen set.
- Piping Bags and Tips: Essential for decorating cakes and cupcakes. This kit includes piping bags and your essential piping tips, and is perfect for those just starting out!
Instructions for American Buttercream:
- Preparation: Begin by ensuring your butter is at room temperature. If you forgot to let it come up to room temp, just put some really hot water into a glass, pour it out, and then place the warm glass over the butter for a minute or two!
- Whip the Butter: Using your stand mixer and the whisk attachment, whip the butter on medium speed until it’s fluffy and creamy, about 1-2 minutes.
- Alternate Powdered sugar and wet ingredients: Mix in the vanilla extract and then gradually add the powdered sugar. Mix thoroughly between each addition, alternating adding the powdered sugar and heavy cream. Your frosting might still be thicker than you’d like after adding the heavy cream. DO NOT ADD MORE THAN 4 TBS. If you do, you risk “breaking” the frosting. But don’t worry, we will adjust the thickness in the next step.
- Whip & Adjust: Turn your mixer on high for 2-3 minutes to whip extra air into the frosting to make it light. If the frosting is still too thick for your liking, begin whipping in light corn syrup, a tablespoon or two at a time, until your desired consistency is reached. If desired, you can also add food coloring during this step
- Smooth & Decorate: Once the frosting reaches your desired consistency, it’s technically ready to use! However if you want it ultra-smooth, you can smooth it out using the paddle attachment on your stand mixer. Next, fill your piping bags and start creating those beautiful designs!
This Classic American Buttercream is not just a frosting; it’s a canvas for your culinary creativity! Its versatility makes it perfect for anything from simple cupcakes to elaborate themed cakes. Need something to put this frosting on? Try our Harry Potter Cauldron Cakes!
Happy frosting, and may your treats be as sweet as your adventures!
