I love good frosting, I could eat it by the bowl full and to be honest… I have. I don’t like icing sugar based frostings because I find them super sweet and gritty. I use a few different types of buttercream depending on what I’m making and how much time I have. My all time favorite is Italian Meringue Buttercream and I will absolutely share my recipe with you the next time I make it but it’s definitely not a beginner recipe.
This buttercream can be done by anyone very quickly and with amazing results. It’s a play on a German buttercream which essentially is a pudding or pastry cream whipped with butter and sugar. Magically…and it is magical, it turns into the fluffiest lightest and most delicious frosting you’ve ever had. It is not too sweet and it’s rich and buttery without being heavy. I use this recipe a lot for kids cakes, I’ve never had a kid who didn’t like it and it’s easy enough to make a big batch if you are making cupcakes for the whole class.
For this recipe I am cheating even further and not making my own pudding/pastry cream. I was in a hurry and decided that I would find a good quality pudding and start from there. This recipe comes together in about 5 minutes as long as you have softened butter. Do not use butter that has melted a bit in the microwave if you tried to hurry the softening process.
You can double this recipe if needed.
Easy Chocolate Buttercream
covers 30 cupcakes
2 Cups Chocolate Pudding, good quality
2 Cups Butter, softened
1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
2 Tsp Vanilla, pure extract
Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, Beat on low to start until everything is incorporated and then on high for 1-2 minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy. Done!….Whaaaat? so easy.
Keep the buttercream at room temperature covered with plastic wrap until ready to use. Decorate cakes and then refrigerate if transporting the cake to allow the buttercream to harden for easier transportation.
To make the Turtle cupcakes in the picture please go to the following recipes:
Cracked Pot Kitchen 