Zen and the Art of Cupcake Maintenance
Oct 12th, 2008 by Marilyn
Is it the end of a trying week or the start of a good one?
Josie once believed that weeks had two Sundays – one ended the old and the other began the new. Maybe we do need an extra day – and maybe all citizens should be issued a wooden spoon, and that day could include twenty minutes of mandatory buttercream-eating. I’m sure we can all agree that at any hour, staring at cupcakes is time well-spent, and a happier way to face the seven – or is it eight? – days ahead.
Favorite Vanilla Buttercream for Cupcakes
8 oz unsalted butter, softened (two sticks)
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
In mixer bowl, use paddle attachment to beat butter until smooth, white and creamy. Gradually beat in powdered sugar, occasionally stopping to scrape down bowl, continuing until smooth and combined. Add milk and vanilla on low speed to combine, then briefly beat on high speed until fluffy and fully mixed. Use immediately or store, refrigerated, for several days.
Vanilla Buttercream Plus
When it comes to flavoring buttercream, the spatula’s the limit. Try beating in any of these additions for extra cupcake happiness.
* Orange: finely grated orange zest, plus a few tablespoon of fresh-squeezed orange juice
* Mocha: one tablespoon instant espresso, dissolved in water or Kahlua liqueur
* Berry Pink: a few tablespoons of seedless raspberry jam (pink frosting lovers, take note)
* Minty Goodness: one dozen finely chopped Andes mint chocolate candies (for pastel green color, add one drop at a time of green gel food coloring for desired shade)
* Lemon-Lime: finely grated lime zest, finely grated lemon zest and a few tablespoons Rose’s Lime Juice
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MMMmmmmmm! Those look really good! This is my first time visiting your site – courtesy of the suggestion made by Another Chance Ranch – blog. I have added you to my Favorites.
I would like TWO cupcakes (cause that’s how I roll…) and TWO Sundays as well. Two Sundays a week sounds perfectly glorious.
I believe I’ll have chocolate cupcakes, please, with lots of mocha frosting. Many cupcakes. It’s been one of those weeks.
Yet another Marilyn recipe I’ll eagerly be trying soon. Thank you for the including the variations too!
If I could have two of one day, it would be Saturdays–Monday and the work week would seem so far away!
minty goodness for me! it’d be great slathered on some chocolate cupcakes or straight from the spatula.
Jenny: welcome! Have a cupcake.
Jean: two cupcakes and two sundaes – um, Sundays – sound just about right.
Jayne: what do I look like, a short order cook? You’ll take vanilla and like it. (Kidding, kidding! I’ll whip up that mocha post haste)
Carol: changing up buttercream is so easy – just take whatever’s around and toss it in. It is serious frosting magic.
Joanne: yes. I vote for adding and rearranging the week too.
Grace: fresh-breath cupcakes – the best of all possible worlds!
for kids very very mmmm
Did you use a pastry bag to spread the buttercream?
sekerziyafe: welcome! Tasty for adults, too.
Lydia: yes, I nearly always pipe frosting on to cupcakes – “production” goes quicker that way, and also, one can use a bag to pipe directly on the tongue. Not that I would ever do that. I’m just saying.
My mouth is watering!!!!!!! I wish I could make a low fat version of this, but something tells me that would be impossible. Looks like it’s worth starving all day for!