American vanilla buttercream

Step by step

• Beat softened butter 3–5 minutes until pale and creamy
• Add sifted powdered sugar gradually on low speed
• Add vanilla, a pinch of salt and a splash of cream or milk
• Beat on medium until fluffy, then on low for a minute to remove air bubbles

Adjusting it

• Too stiff: add cream a teaspoon at a time
• Too soft: add more powdered sugar or chill briefly
• Too sweet: a pinch of salt balances it
• Whiter frosting: beat the butter longer

VanillaGoods tip

Use vanilla bean paste or scraped bean seeds for a speckled vanilla bean buttercream. Pure extract tints buttercream slightly ivory, which most people love.