Introducing Buttercream - The Queen of Icings

Those who have a good, basic understanding of the royal game of chess will know why we’ve reserved the queen’s crown for delectable buttercream – the ideal icing for cake decorating.

Buttercream’s high card is versatility (along with its scrumptious taste) and the Queen of Cake Decorating plays it well. No other frosting or icing can be used in so many different ways. This very flexibility is the reason cake decorators, royal and otherwise, work so hard to master the technique of creating the perfect buttercream. (But luckily you don’t have to because we’re here to help!)

Try this Regal Buttercream Icing Recipe for Cake Decorating

Ingredients

1 cup Crisco - or other quality vegetable shortening

1/2 cup, or stick, of butter, softened to room temperature

1 tsp clear vanilla flavoring (clear gives your buttercreams its soft yellow color)

1 tsp of flavoring like crème bouquet or lemon (optional)

1/4 cup milk (more or less as needed for desired consistency)

A pinch of salt (for use with unsalted butter only)

1 tsp meringue powder

2 lb bag of sifted, powdered (confectioners) sugar

Blend the shortening and butter in a medium sized mixing bowl. Mix in milk and/or water and flavoring(s), and then continue to mix until well incorporated. Turn the mixer off, and add salt, meringue powder and sugar.

On lowest mixer speed, blend the last three ingredients, just until they've begun to combine, and then turn the mixer up to medium speed. Blend until smooth and a little fluffy. If you’re using a stand-up mixer, it takes about 2 minutes to achieve this texture. If you’re using a hand-held mixer, it will take about 5 minutes.

While you're mixing, if you notice that the mixer beings to strain or the icing is too stiff, add more water or milk, beginning with very small amounts at a time and stopping when you have the desired consistency. If the mixture becomes too watery, just add a little more powdered sugar.

This yummy buttercream recipe, which will make any cake fit for royalty, plus the tips are from Cake Decorating Made Easy! One of our readers had this to say about our Video Books:

"I would say if they have any questions

- buy it - they will be very pleased and

will be making beautiful cakes without

all the classes I took and all the time

it took to take them!"

R. Turner,

Banbury, Austin, TX

So whether you’re creating a majestic cake for chess club or you just want to be Queen for a Day at your daughter’s pre-school class, buttercream icing is the perfect recipe for sovereignty in cake decorating,