How to Make Basic Buttercream

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If you have a bit of time on your hands, can we convince you to invest it in the kitchen? There are many things you can do. For instance, learn how to make basic buttercream, so that you won’t need to buy it again.

Buttercream is a simple frosting you can use to decorate your cookies, cakes, and cupcakes. You can use it as the delicious filling for a layer cake. The uses are up to your imagination. I, for one, have no problem eating it out of the bowl a lot of the time. I cannot tell you how often I find myself shocked by how few cupcakes I’ve decorated with buttercream because I ran out of it plenty of time before. Eat it before decorating or not, it’s wonderful to learn how to make basic buttercream and have that ace up your sleeve!

How to make basic buttercream in 9 easy steps

1. Gather your ingredients

Butter is the main ingredient thanks to its fluffy possibilities, so you’ll need about a stick of it. Choose fat butter, without any salt, because you don’t want the cream to end up too salty. We’re reaching for sweet at this time.

Use 1 cup of butter (225 grams), 3-4 cups of powdered sugar, some vanilla extract, and 1-2 tablespoons of heavy cream or milk. As for equipment, you’ll need a mixer, a mesh sieve, and a rubber spatula.

2. Soften your butter

Remember to remove it from the fridge and let it soften at room temperature before you work with it. But don’t let it get too warm, or you won’t be able to use it. Here’s a useful test: put on your (clean) finger on the butter. If the trace of your finger holds it shape in the butter, then it’s ready for cooking. If the butter goes too soft, put it in the fridge for a few minutes.

3. Sift the sugar

Make sure that the powdered sugar doesn’t have any clumps, so sift it into a bowl.

4. Beat the butter

Use the mixer to beat the butter on medium speed. Do this for a couple of minutes, or until it’s smooth.

5. Add the sugar

Add three-quarters of the sugar gradually over the butter, while the mixer is on, to a low setting. Incorporate the sugar in the butter.

6. Combine both

Once the powdered sugar is incorporated, increase the speed of the mixer and get the mixture to a creamier texture.

7. Add the liquid ingredients

Pour the vanilla and the cream or milk in the bowl over the butter and sugar. Mix until they’re evenly blended.

 

8. Add the rest of the sugar

Taste the mixture and gradually add more sugar, as much as you feel is needed. Sugar is used to make the buttercream firmer, so it depends on what you want and need from it. Mix until you are satisfied.

If the buttercream is too runny, add more sugar. If it’s too firm at this point, add a bit more heavy cream or milk.

9. Get to a smooth texture

Keep mixing until what you have in the bowl is smooth and creamy.

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