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Easy Vanilla Bean Buttercream

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on June 6, 2011

Yield

Makes 1 1/2 cups, enough for 12 cupcakes

Easy Vanilla Bean Buttercream

Ingredients

10 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened½ vanilla bean, halved lengthwise1 ¼ cups confectioners' sugar (5 ounces/142 grams)pinch table salt ½ teaspoon vanilla extract 1 tablespoon heavy cream

Before You Begin

If you prefer to skip the vanilla bean, increase the extract to 1 1/2 teaspoons. 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. Using paring knife, scrape seeds from vanilla bean into butter and beat mixture at medium-high speed to combine, about 15 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 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 Vanilla Bean Buttercream

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Yield

Makes 1 1/2 cups, enough for 12 cupcakes

Ingredients

10 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
½ vanilla bean, halved lengthwise
1 ¼ cups confectioners' sugar (5 ounces/142 grams)
pinch table salt
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon heavy cream

Ingredients

10 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
½ vanilla bean, halved lengthwise
1 ¼ cups confectioners' sugar (5 ounces/142 grams)
pinch table salt
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon heavy cream

Ingredients

10 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
½ vanilla bean, halved lengthwise
1 ¼ cups confectioners' sugar (5 ounces/142 grams)
pinch table salt
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon heavy cream

Before You Begin

If you prefer to skip the vanilla bean, increase the extract to 1 1/2 teaspoons. 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. Using paring knife, scrape seeds from vanilla bean into butter and beat mixture at medium-high speed to combine, about 15 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 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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