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Basic Buttercream Frosting

This is the basic, tried, and true frosting that I have used for too many years to count.  It has lots of options that I've listed below.  

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Basic Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients

•  ½ cup vegetable shortening (or 1/2 stick)

•  ½ cup butter (or 1 stick)

•  1 tsp vanilla

•  1 lb confectioners sugar, sifted

•  2 Tbsp milk (will need to add more)

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Instructions

1.  Thoroughly cream butter and shortening.  Add vanilla.   Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.  Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl often.  Icing will appear dry after adding all the sugar.  Add milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy.  You WILL need to add more milk, up to 2 tablespoons.  I let it beat for a little bit each time after adding milk.  To be honest, I usually turn the mixer to a higher speed because I  like mine frosting really light and fluffy.

2.  Keep icing covered with a damp cloth while using or refrigerate in an airtight container.  Can be stored up to two weeks.  Beat again before using.  Makes about 3 cups, enough for our Yellow Butter Layer Cake.

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Options

•  Substitute all shortening (1 stick), clear vanilla and 1 tsp butter                    flavoring for white icing. 

•  Or you can just use the "butter shortening" with vanilla for regular           icing.

•  Two sticks of butter can also be used; beat it until light and fluffy              before adding sugar,

•  Use almond flavoring (I use Disaronno Amaretto liqueur) instead of       vanilla.

•  Coffee liqueur (like Kahlua) makes a good flavoring for our Basic             Chocolate Frosting. (recipe below)

•  Another alternative is liqueurs or extracts, like orange, lemon or               cherry.

•  Add 1 or 2 drops (not too much) of peppermint oil.

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Tips

•  It is really important to sift the confectioner' sugar, makes for a               better all-round frosting.

•  Some liqueur comes in mini bottles; may have better flavor and             might be cheaper than the extracts.

•  If you want to make your own vanilla, check out our recipe here.

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KEYWORDS

basic buttercream frosting recipe, buttercream frosting recipe

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