Decorators Buttercream Icing Recipes

Steps:

• Cream room temperature butter with a hand mixer, the paddle attachment of a stand mixer, or a wooden spoon until smooth and fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until fully incorporated. Beat in vanilla extract.
• Pour in milk and beat for an additional 3 to 4 minutes. Add food coloring, if using, and beat for thirty seconds until smooth or until desired color is reached.

Steps:

• Cream butter and shortening then add vanilla.
• Add sugar a cup at a time beating on medium speed.
• Add milk 1 Tbls. at a time and beat on high until completely blended.
• TIP: To cut the sweetness I usually sprinkle some salt in the vanilla (so it will dissolve) before proceeding with recipe as instructed.

Steps:

• 1. Cream shortening and butter with an electric, handheld, or paddle-whip mixer. Add flavoring and salt. Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time. Add meringue powder. (The mixture will appear dry.)
• 2. Add liquid of choice and beat until light and fluffy (approximately 5 to 8 minutes). Keep the bowl covered with a damp cloth or plastic wrap.
• Storage: Store the icing in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
• Yield: 2 1/2 quarts (2.37 L)
• MASTER CHEF'S HINT
• Add extra liquid to soften the buttercream or extra 10X confectioners' sugar to stiffen it.

Steps:

• In large mixing bowl, beat together shortening and salt. Gradually add vanilla, confectioner's sugar and water. Beat constantly until fluffy. (Icing will be stiff.) Cover bowl with a damp cloth while using so it doesn't dry out. Food coloring or color paste may be added to match wedding colors.
• Use a decorator bag and tips to pipe desired shapes onto cookies. Use writing tips for initials and highlights. Use leaf tip for flowing wedding gowns etc.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, use an electric hand mixer to cream butter until smooth, but not airy. Add milk, vanilla and salt and mix to incorporate.
• Sift powdered sugar over the butter mixture. Mix until incorporated and smooth. Do not overmix, to avoid air pockets in your frosting.
• Divide the frosting and add gel food coloring as desired.
• Use a piping bag fitted with desired tip to pipe flowers onto parchment paper. Freeze the flowers for at least 20 minutes.
• Use a knife to lift frozen flowers from parchment and onto a frosted cake. Arrange as desired.
• Enjoy!