Right, us July mums have been talking birthday cakes and I just thought I'd start a thread for icing recipes. Please add your favourites (especially if you have a brilliant recipe for dairy free icing, anyone?).
BUTTER FROSTING
VERSION ONE (Edmonds, p76)
100g butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon of vanilla essence
2 cups icing sugar, sifted
1 to 2 teaspoons of hot water (or milk)
Cream Butter till light and fluffy. Add vanilla. Gradually beat in icing sugar, beating until smooth. Add sufficent water (milk) to giver a spreading consistency.
VERSION TWO
250g butter, cubed, at room temperature
450g (3 cups) pure icing sugar, sifted
60ml (1/4 cup) milk
Place the butter in a large mixing bowl. Use an electric beater to beat for 2 minutes or until very light and fluffy.
Gradually add the icing sugar and beat until the mixture is very pale and fluffy. Gradually add the milk and beat until smooth and well combined.
Notes & tips
Variation 1 - orange butter icing: Add 1 tbs finely grated orange rind with the butter.
Variation 2 - coffee butter icing: Dissolve 2 tbs instant coffee granules in the milk.
Variation 3 - chocolate butter icing: Reduce the icing sugar to 230g (1 1/2 cups). Omit the milk. Stir in 250g melted, cooled, good-quality dark chocolate.
Variation 4 - dark chocolate butter icing: Reduce the icing sugar to 300g (2 cups). Omit the milk. Sift in 2 tbs cocoa powder and then stir in 600g melted, cooled, good-quality dark chocolate.
LEMON ICING
25g butter or margarine
grated rind and squeezed juice of 1 lemon (strain the juice to remove the pips)
2 cups Chelsea Icing Sugar
Place the butter, lemon juice and rind in a small microwave proof jug or bowl. Microwave on high for 30 – 40 seconds until the butter is melted. Beat in the icing sugar to make a fluffy icing.
CREAM CHEESE ICING
125g Cream Cheese
2 1/2 tsp Butter
1 tsp Vanilla Essence
1 1/4 cup Icing Sugar
and the one I can't wait to try out...
DULCE DE LECHE BUTTERCREAM
1 1/2 cups butter, softened
3 Tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups icing sugar
1 tin caramelised sweetened condensed milk
Cream together softened butter and powdered sugar on low using an electric mixer. Add cream and vanilla and beat on medium speed until smooth and no lumps appear. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the caramelised sweeteened condensed milk and beat to incorporate.