Vanilla Frosting (American Buttercream)

This is an american buttercream. It's made of whipped butter and icing sugar with just a touch of cream (or sometimes milk) added to adjust the consistency. It is not my favourite icing since it tasted pretty much exactly like what it is: a big gob of sweetened butter. But it is very quick and easy to make and it's easy to add whatever flavours or colours you desire.

Vanilla Frosting

From The Perfect Cake by America's Test Kitchen

Makes 5 c. (enough for a 20-30cm, two-layer cake)

Ingredients

• 4 sticks (450g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 c. heavy (35%) cream
• 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp. coarse sea salt, ground
• 450g icing (confectioners'/powdered) sugar

Directions

1. Beat the butter, cream, vanilla, and salt on medium-high speed until smooth (~1 minute). Use the paddle/flat beater of your stand mixer if you have one.
2. Reduce speed to medium-low and gradually add the sugar until it's all been incorporated and the mixture is smooth (~4 minutes).
3. Increase speed to medium-high and beat until light and fluffy (~5 minutes).
4. Cover and store in the fridge if not using immediately.
5. Chilled icing should be left to stand and soften at room temperature for ~2 hours before using. Then beaten on medium speed until smooth (2-5 minutes).

Variations

To make 3 c. (enough for 12 cupcakes or 1 sheet cake)

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 sticks (285g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 Tbsp. heavy (35%) cream
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp. coarse sea salt, ground
• 285g icing (confectioners'/powdered) sugar

To make 6 c. (enough for a 20-30cm, three-layer cake)

Ingredients

• 5 sticks (565g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 c. heavy (35%) cream
• 4 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp. coarse sea salt, ground
• 565g icing (confectioners'/powdered) sugar

Almond/Coconut Frosting

5 c.

Ingredients

• 4 sticks (450g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 c. heavy (35%) cream
• 1/2 Tbsp. almond/coconut extract
• 1/4 tsp. coarse sea salt, ground
• 450g icing (confectioners'/powdered) sugar

3 c.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 sticks (285g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 Tbsp. heavy (35%) cream
• 1 tsp. almond/coconut extract
• 1/8 tsp. coarse sea salt, ground
• 285g icing (confectioners'/powdered) sugar

6 c.

Ingredients

• 5 sticks (565g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 c. heavy (35%) cream
• 2 tsp. almond/coconut extract
• 1/4 tsp. coarse sea salt, ground
• 565g icing (confectioners'/powdered) sugar

Coffee Frosting

5 c.

Ingredients

• 4 sticks (450g) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 Tbsp. instant espresso or coffee powder
• 1/4 c. heavy (35%) cream
• 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp. coarse sea salt, ground
• 450g icing (confectioners'/powdered) sugar

3 c.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 sticks (285g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. instant espresso or coffee powder
• 2 Tbsp. heavy (35%) cream
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp. coarse sea salt, ground
• 285g icing (confectioners'/powdered) sugar

6 c.

Ingredients

• 5 sticks (565g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 c. instant espresso or coffee powder
• 1/4 c. heavy (35%) cream
• 4 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp. coarse sea salt, ground
• 565g icing (confectioners'/powdered) sugar

Orange Frosting

5 c.

Ingredients

• 4 sticks (450g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 Tbsp. orange zest
• 2 Tbsp. orange juice
• 1/4 c. heavy (35%) cream
• 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp. coarse sea salt, ground
• 450g icing (confectioners'/powdered) sugar

3 c.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 sticks (285g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 Tbsp. orange zest
• 1 Tbsp. orange juice
• 2 Tbsp. heavy (35%) cream
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp. coarse sea salt, ground
• 285g icing (confectioners'/powdered) sugar

6 c.

Ingredients

• 5 sticks (565g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. orange zest
• 2 1/2 Tbsp. orange juice
• 1/4 c. heavy (35%) cream
• 4 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp. coarse sea salt, ground
• 565g icing (confectioners'/powdered) sugar

Peppermint Frosting

5 c.

Ingredients

• 4 sticks (450g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
• 1/4 c. heavy (35%) cream
• 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp. coarse sea salt, ground
• 450g icing (confectioners'/powdered) sugar

3 c.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 sticks (285g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 Tbsp. peppermint extract
• 2 Tbsp. heavy (35%) cream
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp. coarse sea salt, ground
• 285g icing (confectioners'/powdered) sugar

6 c.

Ingredients

• 5 sticks (565g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 Tbsp. peppermint extract
• 1/4 c. heavy (35%) cream
• 4 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp. coarse sea salt, ground
• 565g icing (confectioners'/powdered) sugar