Dreamy Buttercream Frosting Recipe | So Easy!

Preppy Kitchen
22 Feb 202208:45

TLDRIn this Preppy Kitchen video, John Kanell shares his expert tips and tricks for making perfect buttercream frosting. He emphasizes the importance of using softened unsalted butter and avoiding adding extra salt if using salted butter. For a stand mixer, a paddle attachment is recommended over a whisk to prevent air from being incorporated, resulting in a creamy and silky texture. The recipe includes one cup of butter, four cups of powdered sugar, and gradually added cream or milk for a customizable consistency. To avoid lumps, powdered sugar should be sifted before adding. The frosting can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container, either in the fridge for up to four weeks or frozen for up to two months. Kanell also suggests adding salt for flavor contrast and vanilla extract for a hint of sweetness. He demonstrates how to achieve a smooth consistency by pressing out air bubbles with a spatula, a technique similar to macaronage. Finally, he shows how to pipe the frosting using a closed star tip, creating a beautiful scallop pattern on the cake.

Takeaways

  • 🧈 Use softened unsalted butter for the best texture, and adjust salt if using salted butter.
  • 🍰 Use a paddle attachment on a stand mixer to avoid incorporating too much air into the frosting.
  • 🔍 Sift powdered sugar to eliminate lumps for a smooth frosting.
  • 🕒 Mix buttercream on low speed and be patient, allowing it to come together gradually.
  • 🧊 If the buttercream appears grainy, add more sugar and continue mixing to correct the texture.
  • 🧁 Store buttercream in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four weeks or freeze for longer storage.
  • 🌡 Bring the stored buttercream to room temperature by letting it sit out or warming it in the fridge before using.
  • 🥄 Add cream or milk to adjust the consistency of the frosting, making it looser and silkier if desired.
  • 🧂 Add salt to the frosting to balance sweetness and enhance flavor.
  • 🌱 Use high-quality fresh butter for better taste in the final product.
  • 🎨 Buttercream is a versatile canvas; flavor it with ingredients like Oreos, chocolate, caramel, or raspberries.

Q & A

  • What is the preferred state of the butter for making buttercream frosting?

    -The butter should be on the softer side of room temperature, yielding fairly easily when pressed with a finger.

  • Can salted butter be used in the recipe?

    -Yes, salted butter can be used. However, if using salted butter, do not add any additional salt or adjust to taste if needed.

  • What type of mixer attachment is recommended for making buttercream frosting?

    -A paddle attachment is recommended over a whisk to avoid incorporating too much air into the frosting.

  • How can one avoid lumps in the buttercream frosting?

    -To avoid lumps, it is best to sift the powdered sugar in small batches directly into the mixing bowl.

  • What is the significance of mixing the frosting on low speed?

    -Mixing on low speed helps to ensure a creamy texture by allowing the ingredients to combine thoroughly without introducing too much air.

  • How can one store buttercream frosting for later use?

    -The frosting can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three to four weeks or frozen for up to two months. Before using, it should be brought back to room temperature.

  • What can be done if the buttercream frosting appears grainy?

    -If the frosting appears grainy, which indicates it's broken, more sugar can be added and beaten to fix it. Alternatively, using a hairdryer to warm the edges of the bowl can also help.

  • How does one achieve a smooth consistency in buttercream frosting?

    -To achieve a smooth consistency, mix the frosting on low speed with a paddle or spatula, breaking up any bubbles and compacting the mixture. Adding a bit more cream and continuing to mix on low can also help.

  • What role does salt play in the buttercream frosting?

    -Salt provides a nice contrast to the sweetness of the frosting and helps to bring out more flavor. It enhances the overall taste experience.

  • What are some ways to flavor the buttercream frosting?

    -The buttercream is a blank canvas that can be flavored with a variety of ingredients, such as Oreos, chocolate, caramel, or raspberries.

  • How can one achieve a mirror-smooth finish on a cake with buttercream frosting?

    -Using a spatula to press out air bubbles, similar to macaronage, can help achieve a mirror-smooth finish. This step is optional but recommended for detail work or a polished appearance.

  • What is the ideal piping tip for buttercream frosting?

    -An 846 closed star tip is suitable for piping buttercream frosting, allowing for decorative patterns like scallops on cakes.

Outlines

00:00

🍰 Preparing Perfect Buttercream Frosting

John Kanell introduces viewers to making buttercream frosting with his tips and tricks. He emphasizes the importance of using softened unsalted butter and provides a method to achieve the right consistency if the butter is too firm. John discusses the choice between a whisk and a paddle for a stand mixer, advocating for a paddle to avoid excess air in the frosting. He shares that buttercream frosting, also known as American buttercream, is simple to make and can be flavored in various ways. The process includes creaming the butter, sifting in powdered sugar to avoid lumps, and mixing on low speed for a smooth texture. John also covers how to store the frosting for later use, either in the fridge or freezer, and how to re-temper it when needed. He concludes with the importance of adding cream for a silkier texture and fixing any graininess by adjusting the sugar content.

05:02

🧁 Buttercream Consistency and Flavor Enhancement

John addresses common issues with buttercream consistency, such as air bubbles and graininess, and offers solutions like mixing on low speed and using a spatula to smooth out the mixture. He also suggests warming the bowl with a hairdryer if the frosting is too cold. To enhance the flavor, John recommends adding salt to balance the sweetness and using high-quality fresh butter. He gives a step-by-step guide on how to achieve a smooth, creamy texture by adding more cream and mixing thoroughly. John also emphasizes the importance of scraping down the bowl for even distribution of ingredients. He then explores various flavorings that can be added to the buttercream, such as Oreos, chocolate, caramel, and raspberries. Finally, John demonstrates how to achieve a professional piping pattern using a closed star tip and shares a technique for removing air bubbles for a mirror-smooth finish on the frosting.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Buttercream Frosting

Buttercream frosting is a type of rich, creamy frosting made primarily with butter, powdered sugar, and a small amount of liquid flavoring. In the video, it is the central theme as the host, John Kanell, demonstrates how to make perfect buttercream frosting with various tips and tricks. The process of making it is detailed, emphasizing the importance of using soft butter and the technique of beating it with a paddle for a silky texture.

💡Room Temperature Butter

Room temperature butter refers to butter that has been softened to a point where it is easily malleable but not melted. In the context of the video, John Kanell emphasizes the importance of using butter that is on the softer side of room temperature for better incorporation into the frosting, which affects the final texture and consistency.

💡Sifted Powdered Sugar

Sifted powdered sugar is powdered sugar that has been passed through a sieve to remove any lumps, ensuring a smooth texture. In the video, John advises sifting the powdered sugar to prevent lumps in the frosting, which is crucial for a smooth and professional finish, especially when doing detailed work like piping roses.

💡Paddle Attachment

A paddle attachment is a type of beater used in stand mixers, characterized by its flat, paddle-like shape. John recommends using a paddle attachment over a whisk when making buttercream to avoid incorporating too much air into the frosting, which would detract from the desired creamy and silky texture.

💡Creaming the Butter

Creaming the butter is the process of beating the butter until it becomes lighter and fluffier. In the video, this step is described as essential for giving the buttercream a nice start, contributing to its final texture and ensuring that the butter is well-prepared for the addition of other ingredients.

💡American Buttercream

American buttercream, also known as buttercream frosting, is a popular type of frosting in the United States. It is characterized by its simplicity and versatility. The video focuses on this type of frosting, showing how to achieve a silky smooth and perfectly sweet result.

💡Storage of Frosting

The storage of frosting refers to how to keep the prepared frosting fresh and usable for an extended period. In the video, John explains that the buttercream can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several weeks or even frozen for up to two months, allowing for advanced preparation.

💡Salt in Frosting

Salt in frosting serves to balance the sweetness and enhance the overall flavor profile. John adds half a teaspoon of salt to the frosting while mixing on low speed, which helps to contrast the sweetness and bring out more flavor in the buttercream.

💡Vanilla Extract

Vanilla extract is a liquid flavoring derived from vanilla beans, commonly used to add a rich, sweet flavor to desserts. In the context of the video, vanilla extract is added to the buttercream to provide a classic and delicious flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the frosting.

💡Consistency of Frosting

The consistency of frosting refers to its texture and how it behaves when being piped or spread. John discusses the importance of achieving a creamy and smooth consistency, which can be affected by factors such as the temperature of the ingredients, the method of mixing, and the addition of cream or milk.

💡Flavoring the Frosting

Flavoring the frosting involves adding ingredients to the basic buttercream recipe to create different tastes. John mentions that the buttercream is a blank canvas and can be flavored with a variety of ingredients, such as Oreos, chocolate, caramel, or raspberries, allowing for customization to suit different preferences.

Highlights

John Kanell shares his tips and tricks for making perfect buttercream frosting.

Use unsalted butter that is on the softer side of room temperature for better consistency.

If using salted butter, adjust the recipe by not adding extra salt or to taste.

A paddle attachment is recommended for a stand mixer to avoid incorporating too much air into the frosting.

The process should be low and slow for a creamy and silky texture.

Buttercream frosting, also known as American buttercream, is simple and easy to make.

Sift powdered sugar in batches to avoid lumps for a smooth frosting.

The frosting can be made months in advance and stored in an airtight container.

Allow the frosting to come to room temperature before using if it was refrigerated or frozen.

Adding more cream or milk can make the frosting looser and silkier.

If the buttercream looks grainy, it can be fixed by adding more sugar and beating it.

To fix air bubbles in the frosting, mix on low speed and use a spatula to press them out.

Salt is added to provide a contrast to the sweetness and enhance flavor.

High-quality fresh butter contributes to a better-tasting buttercream.

The buttercream is a blank canvas that can be flavored with a variety of ingredients.

For a mirror-smooth finish or detailed work, press out air bubbles with a spatula.

The video demonstrates how to pipe the buttercream with a scallop pattern for a decorative finish.