Buttercream

Since I use it so much in my baking I suppose I should give you all some simple variations that you can use again and again!

Let's start with the basic buttercream mix:
225g unsalted butter, softened
1tbsp milk
350g icing sugar
Beat it all together until smooth. Simples!
However, it just takes the smallest of steps to turn this oh-so-easy icing into something more!


Citrus buttercream - replace the milk with the same quantity of orange, lemon or lime juice and maybe some finely grated zest too if you'd like.
Chocolate buttercream - replace 55g of the icing sugar with 55g cocoa.
Coffee buttercream - replace the milk with the same quantity of strong cold espresso and a quarter teaspoon of coffee extract.
Nut buttercream - Reduce butter to 175g then add a quarter teaspoon vanilla extract, 55g smooth peanut butter and 100g chopped nuts of your choice.
Raspberry/Strawberry buttercream - replace the milk with the same quantity of raspberry/strawberry coulis and stir 75g chopped raspberry/strawberry through the finished icing.
Bailey's buttercream - replace the milk with the same quantity of Bailey's.
Mocha buttercream - replace 55g of the icing sugar with 55g cocoa and replace the milk with the same quantity of strong cold espresso.
Orange-choc buttercream - Replace 55g of the icing sugar with 55g cocoa. Replace the milk with the same quantity of orange juice and add either a quarter tsp of orange extract or a good pinch of finely grated zest.

As you can see the only thing that limits you with buttercream is your imagination! Let me know if there are any "must-try" combinations that you swear by that I haven't listed here!