Buttercream Frosting

By DDownes

http://www.glorioustreats.com/2011/08/american-buttercream-frosting-recipe.html

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) Challenge butter (salted, or unsalted)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (if using unsalted butter)
• 3-4 C. powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (best quality available)
• 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream, half and half or milk.
• Can add 4 oz. cream cheese to this mix also for different flavor.

Preparation

Step 1

* 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.