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Easy Peppermint Buttercream

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on March 30, 2010

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Makes 1 1/2 cups, enough for 12 cupcakes

Easy Peppermint Buttercream

Ingredients

10 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened1 ¼ cups confectioners' sugar (5 ounces/142 grams)Pinch table salt ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract ¾ teaspoon peppermint extract 1 tablespoon heavy cream

Before You Begin

Any of the buttercream frostings (see related recipes) can be made ahead and refrigerated; if refrigerated, however, they must stand at room temperature to soften before use. If using a hand-held mixer, increase mixing times significantly (at least 50 percent). This recipe can be doubled to make enough for a two-layer cake.

Instructions

  1. In standing mixer fitted with whisk attachment, beat butter at medium-high speed until smooth, about 20 seconds. Add confectioners' sugar and salt; beat at medium-low speed until most of the sugar is moistened, about 45 seconds. Scrape down bowl and beat at medium speed until mixture is fully combined, about 15 seconds; scrape bowl, add vanilla, peppermint extract, and heavy cream, and beat at medium speed until incorporated, about 10 seconds, then increase speed to medium-high and beat until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes, scraping down bowl once or twice.

Easy Peppermint Buttercream

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

30 minutes

Yield

Makes 1 1/2 cups, enough for 12 cupcakes

Ingredients

10 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 ¼ cups confectioners' sugar (5 ounces/142 grams)
Pinch table salt
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ teaspoon peppermint extract
1 tablespoon heavy cream

Ingredients

10 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 ¼ cups confectioners' sugar (5 ounces/142 grams)
Pinch table salt
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ teaspoon peppermint extract
1 tablespoon heavy cream

Ingredients

10 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 ¼ cups confectioners' sugar (5 ounces/142 grams)
Pinch table salt
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ teaspoon peppermint extract
1 tablespoon heavy cream

Before You Begin

Any of the buttercream frostings (see related recipes) can be made ahead and refrigerated; if refrigerated, however, they must stand at room temperature to soften before use. If using a hand-held mixer, increase mixing times significantly (at least 50 percent). This recipe can be doubled to make enough for a two-layer cake.

Instructions

  1. In standing mixer fitted with whisk attachment, beat butter at medium-high speed until smooth, about 20 seconds. Add confectioners' sugar and salt; beat at medium-low speed until most of the sugar is moistened, about 45 seconds. Scrape down bowl and beat at medium speed until mixture is fully combined, about 15 seconds; scrape bowl, add vanilla, peppermint extract, and heavy cream, and beat at medium speed until incorporated, about 10 seconds, then increase speed to medium-high and beat until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes, scraping down bowl once or twice.

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