Best American Buttercream Frosting Recipes

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CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH AMERICAN BUTTERCREAM FROSTING



Chocolate Cake with American Buttercream Frosting image

Provided by Duff Goldman

Categories     dessert

Time 1h35m

Yield One 2-layer, 9-inch round cake

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 sticks (1 cup) butter
1/2 cup brewed coffee
1/3 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder
3 extra-large eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Buttercream Frosting, recipe follows
4 sticks (1 pound) butter, softened
6 cups powdered sugar
1 to 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (or any other flavor you want, or none)
Pinch of kosher salt
1/4 cup whole milk

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
  • In a big bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
  • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the coffee, cocoa powder, and 1/2 cup water and heat it for a minute, stirring constantly. Pour the melted butter mixture into the flour mixture and whisk until well combined.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla. Add it to the batter and mix until smooth.
  • Divide the batter between the two cake pans, scraping all the batter from the bowl with a rubber spatula. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool for 15 minutes in the pans and then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Frost with buttercream frosting
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine all the ingredients. Whip the mixture on low speed for a while. When the sugar is incorporated, turn the mixer speed up and whip until the buttercream is smooth and looks right to you. If it's too cold, persuade it with a blowtorch if you have one. If it's too wet, add a bit more powdered sugar. If it's too stiff, add a bit more butter. Be sure to scrape the sides of the bowl once or twice to make sure everything is combined.
  • Use immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for 24 hours or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Rewhip cold buttercream before using it.
  • Variation: The water/coffee combo in this recipe can be switched up, but remember, coffee is to chocolate like salt is to beef. Coffee brings out the flavor of chocolate without making it taste like coffee, just as salt brings out the flavor of meat without making it taste salty. The liquid you use can be all water, or it can be a full cup of coffee for more of a mocha-flavored cake. And if you're feeling really bold, go ahead and use a cup of a dark stout beer instead. Get creative and experiment a little - after all, it is a science project.

AMERICAN BUTTERCREAM FROSTING



American Buttercream Frosting image

American buttercream is simply a combination of butter, powdered sugar, vanilla (or other flavoring), and usually a bit of milk or cream

Provided by Cathe Collins

Categories     Dessert

Time 17m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 cup salted butter or 1 cup unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon salt (if using unsalted butter)
4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (best quality available)
2 -3 tablespoons half-and-half or 2 -3 tablespoons milk

Steps:

  • Optional- As mentioned above, I like a cream cheese version of this frosting best. The cream cheese adds to the creamy texture, and cuts down on the sweetness just a bit. If desired, for a very light cream cheese flavor add 1/2 block (4 oz). cream cheese, leaving the other ingredients (as listed above) the same. For a more traditional cream cheese flavor, reduce the butter to 1/2 cup, and add 1 block (8 oz.) of cream cheese. If using a full block of cream cheese, you can reduce the cream or milk to 1 tablespoon total.
  • Flavoring options- An almost unlimited number of flavoring options can be added in addition to, or instead of the vanilla. Orange and/or lemon zest, citrus extracts, mint extract, coconut extract or the seeds of a vanilla bean are all wonderful options. In most cases I'll still add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla, then 1/2 teaspoon of the other flavoring. For zest, add about 1 teaspoon fresh zest. For chocolate buttercream, add 1/2 cup (good quality) unsweetened cocoa powder.
  • Directions-.
  • * In the bowl of an electric mixer, fitted with the whisk attachment, beat butter (on medium speed) until completely smooth (30 seconds to a minute). (If you are adding cream cheese, add it now, then beat until smooth).
  • * Add salt (if needed).
  • * One cup at time, add 2 cups of powdered sugar, beating after each addition.
  • * Add vanilla, or other flavorings and beat to combine.
  • * Add about 1 tablespoon of cream, and continue beating.
  • * Add the remaining 2 cups powdered sugar, one at a time.
  • * Add an additional 1-2 tablespoons cream until desired consistency is reached. If you want to pipe the frosting on cupcakes, the frosting should be nice and thick. Continue to beat another minute or so. The frosting should now be smooth and fluffy.
  • Troubleshooting-.
  • * If your frosting is not smooth, it is likely because the butter was not fully smooth before adding the other ingredients.
  • * If your frosting will not hold up when piped on cupcakes, your frosting has too much liquid or is too warm. Put entire bowl of frosting in the fridge for 15-20 minutes and it will stiffen up. If it is still too thin, then add 1/4 to 1/2 cup powdered sugar, beat well.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 300.9, Fat 16.3, SaturatedFat 10.3, Cholesterol 44.1, Sodium 185.3, Carbohydrate 40, Sugar 39.2, Protein 0.2

American buttercream frosting is a classic and popular frosting that many bakers love to use. It is a creamy, buttery, and sweet frosting that is perfect for frosting cakes, cupcakes, and other baked goods. It is also very easy to make and can be customized to suit different tastes and preferences. In this article, we will explore what American buttercream frosting is, its key ingredients, and variations.

What is American buttercream frosting?

American buttercream frosting is a type of frosting that is made with butter, confectioner's sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. It is a simple and quick frosting that can be made in just a few minutes. It is a versatile frosting that can be used to frost cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and other desserts. American buttercream frosting is also a stable frosting that can hold its shape and remain firm even in warm weather.
Key Ingredients
The key ingredients used in making American buttercream frosting are:
  • Butter - Unsalted butter is the best type of butter to use in American buttercream frosting. It should be softened to room temperature before use.
  • Confectioner's sugar - Also known as powdered sugar, it is used to sweeten the frosting.
  • Milk - Milk is used to thin the frosting to the desired consistency. Any type of milk can be used, such as cow's milk, almond milk, or soy milk.
  • Vanilla extract - Vanilla extract is used to add flavor to the frosting. Other flavorings can also be used, such as almond extract or lemon extract.
Variations
American buttercream frosting can be customized to suit different tastes and preferences. Some variations of American buttercream frosting include:
  1. Chocolate buttercream frosting - This is made by adding cocoa powder or melted chocolate to the basic American buttercream frosting recipe.
  2. Cream cheese buttercream frosting - This is made by adding cream cheese to the basic American buttercream frosting recipe. This gives the frosting a tangy flavor and a slightly softer consistency.
  3. Mocha buttercream frosting - This is made by adding instant coffee or espresso powder to the basic American buttercream frosting recipe. This gives the frosting a coffee flavor.
  4. Peanut butter buttercream frosting - This is made by adding peanut butter to the basic American buttercream frosting recipe. This gives the frosting a nutty flavor.
  5. Fruit-flavored buttercream frosting - This is made by adding fruit puree or extract to the basic American buttercream frosting recipe. This gives the frosting a fruity flavor.

Conclusion

In summary, American buttercream frosting is a classic and popular frosting that is easy to make and customizable to suit different tastes and preferences. Its key ingredients include butter, confectioner's sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. It can also be customized into different variations, such as chocolate buttercream frosting, cream cheese buttercream frosting, and fruit-flavored buttercream frosting. American buttercream frosting is a versatile frosting that can be used to frost cakes, cupcakes, and other baked goods.

Valuable Tips for Making American Buttercream Frosting Recipes

If you're a baker, you know the importance of a good frosting recipe, and when it comes to easy and delicious options, American buttercream frosting is one of the best choices. This frosting is versatile and can be used on various desserts, from cakes to cupcakes. While American buttercream frosting is one of the simplest frosting recipes, there are still some tips you should keep in mind to create the perfect frosting. Here are some valuable tips to consider when making American buttercream frosting recipes.
Use High-Quality Ingredients
The key to making any delicious dessert is using high-quality ingredients, and the same goes for frosting recipes. When it comes to American buttercream frosting, make sure you use good quality butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Using high-quality ingredients helps to enhance the flavor of the frosting and makes it taste even better.
Room Temperature Ingredients
To get the best texture of frosting, it's best to use room temperature ingredients. Letting the butter sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before using it is the key to getting a smooth texture. Cold butter is challenging to mix with powdered sugar, making the frosting lumpy and unpleasant. When using room-temperature ingredients, the butter becomes creamier, and it blends well with the powdered sugar, making the frosting smooth.
Beat the Butter and Sugar Together
When making American buttercream frosting, it's essential to beat the butter and powdered sugar together for at least 3-4 minutes. This helps to create a creamy and fluffy texture. Beating the butter and sugar together also softens the butter and eliminates any lumps from the powdered sugar, creating a smooth frosting.
Gradually Add Milk
Adding milk to American buttercream frosting is critical. However, you need to be careful while doing that. Adding too much milk or adding it all at once can make the frosting runny, making it difficult to pipe. To prevent this, add milk gradually and mix it well after each addition until you reach the desired consistency for piping.
Check Consistency
One crucial factor to consider when making American buttercream frosting is consistency. The frosting should have a perfect consistency that's stiff enough to hold its shape when used for piping. If the frosting is too stiff, add one tablespoon of milk at a time and mix well until you achieve the desired consistency. On the other hand, if the frosting is too runny, add more powdered sugar gradually and mix well.
Avoid Overmixing
When making American buttercream frosting, it is essential to avoid overmixing. Overmixing can result in a dense and hard frosting. Mix the frosting until you achieve the right consistency and texture, but take care not to overmix it. Once the frosting reaches the desired consistency, stop mixing.
Adjust Flavor
While most American buttercream frosting recipes contain vanilla extract, you can adjust the flavor to your liking. You can add other flavors such as almond extract, lemon zest, or cocoa powder to give it a unique taste. However, be careful about the amount of flavoring you add. Start with small amounts and gradually increase until you reach the desired taste.
Store Awat from Heat and Direct Sunlight
Storing your finished frosting is another critical factor to consider. It's best to store American buttercream frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. However, avoid storing it in direct sunlight or heat since it can change the texture and consistency of the frosting. Before using it, let it come to room temperature and mix it well to restore its smooth texture.
Create a Smooth Surface Before Piping
While piping frosting is the fun part, it's crucial to create a smooth surface before starting. A smooth surface ensures that the frosting will look even and professional. You can achieve a smooth surface by crumb coating the cake, which involves adding a thin layer of frosting to seal the crumbs. After that, let it set for a few minutes before adding the final layer. In conclusion, making American buttercream frosting recipes is easy but requires careful attention to detail to achieve the best texture, flavor, and consistency. Remember to use high-quality ingredients, beat the butter and sugar together, add milk gradually, and mix until you achieve the desired consistency, and avoid overmixing. By following these tips, you can create the perfect American buttercream frosting every time that will make your desserts even more delicious.

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