Cupcake Buttercream Icing

Bitsy_Beans

Do any of you lovely people who make cupcakes use ready made buttercream, either in a tub or a mix?

I've used the Betty Crocker icing before but it's far too sweet but not sure if there are any other varieties out there or if you all just make it from scratch.

fatblackandwhite

I make my own - it is really simple to do (especially if you have a mixer). I did buy a tub of chocolate ready made icing a few weeks ago but ended up binning it as, like you say, it tasted too sweet - and very synthetic.

PoppyGirl

I make my own, it's easy! Also means you can alter it to taste.

I do a weight of butter then double this in icing sugar. I then add a spot of vanilla essence and a spash of milk if it is too stiff. You can also add part cocoa/drinking choc which would take the edge off the sweetness because of the bitter dark chocoate cocoa. HTH

julie03

i do a mix of half trex and half lurpak and mix really well preferably with electric mixer, i have no idea how much icing sugar as i just keep adding till it tastes the way i want it. i either had vanilla and colour , or you can do a lemon or caramel or chocolate, anything basically, its not as sickly as normal buttercream.

Always_after_a_bargin

I used to use lurpak till I discovered president butter, I still use it for my cake mix but now president for my icing it's the best I found and was recommended by my best mate who is a professional at cake making. It's very light in colour so you don't get that artificial yellow if that makes sense. However trying to locate it in shops is a nightmare as People are discovering how good it is. Also I only use Tate and Lyle too and like others said drop of vanilla Essence and everyone comments on my buttercream. My best mate comes over every so often and gives me lessons and I am becoming quite addicted to baking. X