VLOG: simple & versatile buttercream icing

This blog post title basically says it all.  I'm going to show you how to make buttercream frosting in a matter of minutes - less than two minutes to be precise.  This recipe is adapted from The Culinary Institute of America's Baking at Home with the CIA.  I won this wonderful book from Lisa of KoreanAmericanMommy on one of her giveaways!  (Thanks again Lisa!)

Buttercream icings are really adaptable because you can add whatever flavors of your choice.  The key thing to remember is that the more fluid your flavoring, the more powdered sugar you must add to obtain that thick frosting like texture.  So it is best to stick to extracts or more viscous additions, unless you simply adore sweetness to the max.  Buttercreams consist of softened room temperature butter, powdered sugar, and flavoring.  Also, sometimes milk/cream is needed to reduce the thickness of the frosting into order to achieve the desired texture.  Other than that, that is basically it!  

Want to make a crazy good chocolate buttercream?  Replace one cup powdered sugar with one cup cocoa powder.  Want to make a vanilla buttercream?  Use vanilla extract.  Want to make a nutella buttercream?  Use nutella.  Want to make [enter flavor here]?  Use [enter flavor source here].  In all cases, use milk/cream/food coloring to thin it out if necessary.  How much of it you use is up to you!  

I'm going to demonstrate how to make a simple strawberry buttercream using strawberry jam.  The reason why I don't use pureed strawberries is because it is too "liquidy" but if you prefer it, I suggest that you cook it down on the stovetop (which will also get you a more intense strawberry flavor).  I feel that half the work is already done for me by using strawberry jam though.  

Simple Strawberry Buttercream
Recipe adapted from Baking At Home with the CIA
Ingredients for 4 cups, or enough to fill and ice an 8- or 9-inch cake
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup strawberry jam
1 tsp red food coloring

Directions
1) In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter on medium speed until it is light in texture.
2) Add in the sugar one cup at a time until incorporated.  Whip until smooth.
3) Add in the strawberry jam.  Mix until combined.  Then add in the red food coloring.
4) Increase the speed on the mixer to high and whip until the desired texture is achieved.  Adjust the consistency by adding more jam or sugar.