Tuesday, March 1, 2016

My Favorite Buttercream Frosting

So last week was my birthday. And despite what many may think, I really am a very simple woman. When asked by my husband what I wanted for my birthday meal, I said, "Brie, cupcakes and champagne."
Don't you love it when wishes come true?

Now before you drool too much over that baked brie, that's a recipe for next week.

This week I'm focused on cupcakes. The best part of the cupcakes, that is. 
After sharing my love of cupcakes so many times, I can't believe I have not shared my recipe for buttercream frosting. The best tasting buttercream I've ever had.

Amazing that such deliciousness could come from only a few ingredients:

1 1/2 cups softened butter, salted or unsalted
4 cups sifted powdered sugar (yes, you must sift it)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Milk

First, cream your butter.
Until fluffy.
Add the vanilla and mix until blended.
Now, with your mixer on low (otherwise you'll have one huge, powdery mess), gradually add the powdered sugar.
Once all of the sugar is incorporated, mix at high speed until light and fluffy.
Add milk until frosting reaches desired consistency. If you're piping the frosting, you'll want it stiffer (less milk). If you're spreading, thinner (more milk).
If you'd like to add a little coloring, do that now.
Yep, I forced my guys to eat pink cupcakes. Not that I heard any complaints.
You can see/learn how to do the "fancy" piping here.
Easy, peasy.

So what do you want for your birthday meal?


20 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday. I want your cupcakes. :)

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  2. Happy birthday, Mindy! And I'm joining Tina in the love of cupcakes...

    And your hubby brought you champagne and cheese???? Oh, that's charming!

    Enjoy this special time!

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    1. He brought the cheese. Well, sort of. We were both at Sam's when he bought it. :P And the champagne was left from the holidays. Still, I know he would have brought it. He spoils me.

      Here, have a cupcake. ;)

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  3. Happy Birthday, Mindy. And I agree with Tina and Ruthy, some cupcakes sound wonderful this morning.

    And what a lovely gift from hubby. Aren't we blessed?

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    1. Yes, we are, Sandra. Don't know where I'd be without this guy.

      Passing the cupcake tray.

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  4. Happy Birthday, Mindy! Looks like you know how to celebrate.

    Your buttercream frosting recipe is similar to mine except yours has more butter. Mine gets to the point where it's too sweet because I keep adding icing sugar because I added too much milk but I only add about a 1/4 cup of butter so clearly I've been skimping. :-)

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    1. Never skimp on the butter, Kav. And you don't want to add milk to counteract more sugar. Otherwise you'll end up with more of a glaze. Something I do to cut the sweetness is add a pinch or two of salt. But then I usually add unsalted butter. Still, salt will tame a bit of the sweetness.

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  5. Beautiful frosting!! I need to try this. I'm not much of a baker of pretty things. :)

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    1. Practice makes perfect, Missy. Sometimes we have to take one for the team. Such a sacrifice to have cupcakes around. :P

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  6. My daughter has convinced me that piping the icing on is the only way to decorate cupcakes. In fact, when she gets married and moves out in June (taking her Wilton collection with her!), I'm going to have to buy my own set of piping bags and tips. :)

    Happy Birthday! Your menu looks fabulous.

    My favorite birthday dinner includes people (not to eat, but for company) and a simple meal. Grilled burgers or steaks sound good!

    And cake, of course. Chocolate, please!

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    1. Oh, it wouldn't be the same without the people, would it, Jan? My local girls came, son-in-law and granddaughter and the boys.

      Your daughter is right. I can pipe just as quick and I can frost. Plus I get more frosting. ;)

      Here's a chocolate one for you, Jan. :)

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  7. You have a lid, chute thing for your kitchenaid mixer!!! I've never seen one of those!!! That is the coolest thing ever!!!
    And thanks for the recipe. I have always used shortening instead of butter because my mom does. Does it make much of a difference?

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    1. Hi, Jana. The chute is handy, but still doesn't protect against everything. Like flying powder. ;)

      I think the butter version tastes better. However, if you're piping a lot of decorations, it can get soft from the heat of your hands. I've never had a problem with the cupcakes, though. I can tell in one bite if it's a shortening frosting. Even if they add butter extract, it still has that shortening flavor.

      Bottom line, give it a whirl and see what you think. :)

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  8. That frosting looks way too good, Mindy. Joyeux anniversaire! (in honor of the brie cheese).

    Nancy C

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    1. LOL! Thank you, Nancy. Next week I'll be sharing that baked Brie recipe. Yum.

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  9. It looks just as delicious here as when I saw it the first time!! Can I lick the beater?

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    1. You got it, Jill. I always took you for a beater girl. ;)

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