The Cake Lady #28 ... Top Buttercream Recipe!

This is the best buttercream recipe for cake decorating! Just the perfect texture for filling and covering your cakes, and great for piping decorations too.

You really need an electric mixer to get the best texture, you just can't get it so smooth without (I've tried!). A stand mixer or hand-held one both work well.

Ideally your butter and shortening should be at room temperature before you start, or you can soften it slightly before you begin - if you don't your buttercream will end up lumpy.

To give you an idea of quantity - this recipe makes enough to fill and cover an 8" cake.

Ingredients

• 250g unsalted butter
• 125g shortening (I use Trex)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (or other flavouring, lemon is nice too!)
• 500g icing sugar
• 2 tbsp milk
• 2 tsp egg white powder
• ½ tsp salt

Method

1. Beat the butter and shortening together until well combined.
2. Add the vanilla, icing sugar, salt, egg white powder, and mix well.
3. Add the milk if needed - if the weather is hot you might not need it all, or you might even need a little more to get the perfect consistency.
4. Turn the mixer up to high and beat for 5 minutes. You will notice it will change to a slightly lighter colour.

When mixed, colour as you need for your recipe - I would recommend using 'paste' or 'gel' food colouring, as these don't alter the consistency of the buttercream (liquid colours can make it too soft).

Use right away or store in piping bags in the fridge until ready to use - I've kept it a couple of weeks and it lasts really well.

Have fun baking!

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