Difficulty level: Beginner
This is the frosting recipe I use on nearly all of my cakes. I was really tired of making “Swiss Meringue Buttercream” because I’m always out of eggs and don’t have the patience for all the double boiler/extreme whisking nonsense. So, I developed this buttercream recipe that mimics SMBC’s silky texture and lack of grittiness, but without all the extra work.
It’s versatile, it’s easy, and it’s very, very delicious.
XX
Lisa
Vanilla Faux Swiss Meringue Buttercream Recipe
Ingredients:
4 cups softened butter
5 cups powdered sugar
*1.5 tsp. Vanilla extract OR 2 Tbsp. vanilla bean paste (highly recommend this stuff)
1-2 tbsp milk
Food coloring gel (optional)
Instructions:
In a stand mixer with the beater blade attached (not the whisk), beat softened butter on medium/high for 2 minutes. Scrape down sides and beat again for another 2 minutes. It’s important the butter is fully room temp and not cold at all. I’ve even popped mine in the microwave for 7 seconds to make sure it isn’t cold. This makes a big difference when trying to achieve silkiness.
Add powdered sugar to butter ½ cup at a time, mixing on medium speed until sugar is completely integrated, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. To reduce mess, be sure to pulse in the powdered sugar slowly before cranking it to medium speed.
After all of the powdered sugar is combined, add vanilla extract/ vanilla paste, or other oil-based flavorings depending on what you’re going for*. Beat on medium-high for one minute.
Add 1 tbsp of cold milk, along with food coloring gel, if desired. Beat on med-high for 2-3 minutes.
Frosting should be smooth and easy to spread, much like Swiss meringue buttercream.
*To change up the flavor, add to or swap out vanilla extract/bean paste with another flavored extract or oil:
Chocolate Frosting: Add 1 cup of cooled chocolate ganache (insert link) slowly to buttercream on low speed and leave out the milk in the buttercream recipe.
Mint Frosting: 1.5 tsp. vanilla extract + ½ tsp. peppermint extract
Cotton Candy Frosting: 1.5 tsp. vanilla + 1 tsp. cotton candy extract
Bubble Gum Frosting: 1.5 tsp. bubblegum extract INSTEAD of vanilla
Coconut Frosting: 1.5 tsp. vanilla extract + 1 Tbsp. coconut extract
Strawberry Frosting: 1.5 tsp. vanilla extract + 1 Tbsp. strawberry extract