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Food-Processor Vanilla Frosting

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on December 18, 2019

Time

25 minutes

Yield

Makes 3¼ cups

Food-Processor Vanilla Frosting

Ingredients

28 tablespoons (3½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened3 ½ cups (14 ounces) confectioners' sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla extract ½ teaspoon table salt

Before You Begin

This frosting can be covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Let it stand at room temperature for 1 hour before using.

Instructions

  1. Process all ingredients in food processor until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. (Frosting can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 hours.)
Food-Processor Vanilla Frosting
Photography by Daniel J. van Ackere. Styling by Elle Simone.

Food-Processor Vanilla Frosting

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

25 minutes

Yield

Makes 3¼ cups

Ingredients

28 tablespoons (3½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
3 ½ cups (14 ounces) confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon table salt

Ingredients

28 tablespoons (3½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
3 ½ cups (14 ounces) confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon table salt

Ingredients

28 tablespoons (3½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
3 ½ cups (14 ounces) confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon table salt

Why This Recipe Works

We wanted a thick, fluffy, and foolproof frosting that was easy to spread and pipe into decorative patterns on a cake. We softened the butter to make it malleable enough to be whipped but also firm enough to retain air, providing structure to our frosting. To keep the frosting from separating and turning greasy, we turned to the food processor. The fast-mixing machine virtually eliminated any risk of overbeating, since it blended the ingredients quickly without melting the butter or incorporating too much air. The result: smooth, glossy frosting that spread and piped like a dream.

Before You Begin

This frosting can be covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Let it stand at room temperature for 1 hour before using.

Instructions

  1. Process all ingredients in food processor until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. (Frosting can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 hours.)

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