Delighting home bakers with its simplicity and versatility, American Buttercream Frosting stands as the epitome of ease in the frosting realm. Here’s a dive into this classic frosting, perfect for cakes and cupcakes alike!
What Makes American Buttercream Special?
American buttercream is the epitome of simplicity, requiring minimal ingredients and steps. If you’ve ever whipped up a frosting by blending butter, powdered sugar, and flavorings like vanilla, then congratulations, you’ve made American buttercream!
This style of frosting, also known as simple buttercream, boasts a straightforward process, relying on a ratio of two parts sugar to one part butter, combined with a touch of milk and flavorings.
Characteristics of American Buttercream
Slightly ivory in color, thick in texture, and effortlessly piped, American buttercream distinguishes itself with its sweetness. Its sugar-to-butter ratio surpasses that of Swiss meringue or Italian meringue buttercream, resulting in a distinctly sweet taste.
A Versatile Frosting
American buttercream also earns the moniker “crusting buttercream” due to its tendency to form a delicate crust upon exposure to air. This feature proves beneficial for intricate piping work or when frosting cookies intended for stacking.
Mastering American Buttercream
Achieving the perfect consistency requires starting with room temperature butter, ensuring a smooth emulsion. For a lighter variation, whip the butter for an extended period to create a whipped buttercream.
American buttercream readily embraces various flavorings, including extracts, spices, cocoa powder, and fruit jams or curds.
Storing American Buttercream
If not immediately used, store American buttercream in the refrigerator. Before piping or spreading, allow it to return to room temperature. A quick remix may be necessary, especially if stored for an extended period. Refrigerated buttercream maintains quality for approximately a week.
Exploring Color and Flavor Options
American buttercream eagerly embraces food coloring, offering endless possibilities for vibrant hues. Experiment with different flavor profiles:
- Vanilla American Buttercream: Incorporate 2 tsp vanilla extract.
- Chocolate American Buttercream: Blend in 1 cup of sifted unsweetened cocoa powder.
- “Wedding Cake” American Buttercream: Add 1 tsp vanilla extract and 1/2 tsp almond extract.
- Lemon American Buttercream: Introduce 3 TBSP lemon zest and ¼ cup lemon juice. Omit milk and increase confectioner’s sugar to 9 cups.
- Berry Infused American Buttercream: Fold in 1 cup of seedless preserves.
Ingredients
- 4 sticks (1 pound / 450 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 8 cups (2 pounds / 900 g) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- 1 large pinch kosher salt (1 large pinch)
- 1-3 tablespoons whole milk, as needed (15-45 mL)
- Extracts and flavorings as desired
Instructions
- Combine butter, sugar, and flavorings in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.
- Mix on low speed until sugar incorporates with butter. Increase speed to high and beat until smooth and fluffy, approximately 2 minutes.
- Adjust consistency with milk as needed.
- Store unused buttercream in an airtight container in the refrigerator and bring it to room temperature before use.
