Buttercream icing

[Deleted User]

I did that last week so, I made a batch of butterfly cakes and then drizzled some melted chocolate over them as well. In for a penny in for a pound, my DGS popped in on the way home and just had to try several to make sure they were all right and took another half a dozen with him to check out later in case he and his girlfriend got peckish in the cinema.That boy has got hollow legs no wonder he towers over my and pats me gently on the head and says 'you are a lovely little Grandma', cheeky little monkey

bramble1

I am making my mum cupcakes for Mothers day, cakes are done, but what icing do you use when you use the piping bags?

Penelope_Penguin

bramble1 wrote: »

I am making my mum cupcakes for Mothers day, cakes are done, but what icing do you use when you use the piping bags?

I use buttercream Do you have a recipe?

Penny. x

bramble1

No no recipes! looking online but not sure if i'm finding the right on - butter, icing, milk and food colouring...sound about righT?

Penelope_Penguin

bramble1 wrote: »

No no recipes! looking online but not sure if i'm finding the right on - butter, icing, milk and food colouring...sound about righT?

I use butter, icing sugar and a couple of drops of vanilla Thread here - I do mine by eye, so have no recipe

Penny. x

babyshoes

Buttercream is definitely the easiest and doesn't need a recipe as such - I just use the electric whisk to beat up some butter until it gets fluffy, then add in a little icing sugar and beat it in (Don't add too much as you end up with a cloud of icing everywhere!). Repeat the icing sugar additions until it tastes about right and is the right texture. Then add in whatever colouring / flavouring you are using. You may need to add a little more icing sugar if your colours/flavours are a liquid, or add a little milk if it ends up too stiff. Simples!

zippychick

Hi Bramble

Now you have made your cupcakes, I have added your thread to the existing one on buttercream to keep the ideas together

thanks
Zip

potsofmoney_(I_wish)

Hi all,
I keep trying to make really good cupcakes, the problem I keep having is the buttercream, I'd like it to be really thick with a hint of flavour, but it keeps coming out too thin/runny and not going on high enough.

Any cupcakes hints or advice would be appreciated, also what do you find best to apply the buttercream with to give that lovely looking swirly finish?

TIA

thenanny2die4

First thing that springs to mind with regard to your buttercream being runny is to ask what "butter" you are using. I find I only really get good results if I use the real thing. Using soft marge/spread/spreadable-butter will always give a runnier icing.

Gigervamp

The recipe I use is
150g butter
250g icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla essence
2 tsp hot water

This gives a workable consistancy and I either slap it on with a palette knife or pipe it on.