“My” Vanilla Frosting Recipe

I want I may really name this “my” vanilla frosting recipe, however while you’ve acquired one thing that works so nicely, why reinvent the proverbial wheel??? Pillsbury’s The Full E book of Baking is without doubt one of the greatest common cookbooks round for pies and cookies and muffins, and its recipe for Buttercream Frosting is a factor of magnificence!

The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity:

2/3 cup softened butter

4 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2-4 tablespoons half-and-half or milk

In a big bowl, beat butter till mild and fluffy. Regularly add powdered sugar, beating nicely. Beat in vanilla and half-and-half, including sufficient half-and-half for desired spreading consistency. Yield: Frosts 2-layer or 13×9-inch cake.

Now, I do admit that I tinker a bit with this vanilla frosting recipe. I exploit double-strength vanilla extract, so as to add additional depth and richness to the flavour, and I exploit 2 teaspoons of it. It’s no dearer than pure vanilla extract (nobody ought to even acknowledge the existence of the unreal stuff); and though you gained’t readily discover it at your native grocery retailer, it’s simply purchased on-line. When you’ve a recipe as easy and easy as this one is, the standard of the elements is paramount. So don’t purchase your butter on sale however put money into a European-style, go together with the half-and-half slightly than milk, and use the double-strength vanilla extract. You’ll thank me later!

When you’ve made your vanilla frosting recipe, you should utilize it to frost a sheet cake or a layer cake; you possibly can add a bit extra confectioners’ sugar to make an icing to brighten your cake or cookies; you possibly can frost 24 cupcakes; and you may simply decide up a spoon and eat it “as is” … my favourite! Folks will wrestle with one another for the privilege of licking the bowl and the spoon.

This recipe is instantly adaptable for vegans, for folks with lactose intolerance, and for many who hold Kosher and wish non-dairy desserts to accompany a meat meal. Use margarine (although the flavour gained’t be the identical as it’s with butter, some lodging are needed on this life), and substitute vanilla soy milk for the half-and-half. Voila! Treats that everybody can take pleasure in!

One other lovely factor about this recipe is that you would be able to tint the frosting for any event — pink for Valentine’s Day, inexperienced for St. Paddy’s Day, yellow for Easter, pink and blue for a child bathe. And you’ll even go away it in its authentic creamy coloration for a marriage. This vanilla frosting recipe is simply too good to be true!