Vanilla Cupcakes with Buttercream Icing

150g Tararua Butter (softened)
2 cups Chelsea Icing Sugar (or Chelsea Vanilla Flavoured Icing Sugar)
2-3 Tbsp hot water
1/2 -1 tsp of vanilla essence (or flavour of your choice, optional)
Food Colouring (optional)
Beat the Tararua Butter until smooth, pale and fluffy. Gradually add the Chelsea Icing Sugar, half a cup at a time. Add the vanilla essence (or other flavoured essence and/or colouring of your choice), with enough of the hot water to make a creamy mixture, beating between each addition until fluffy. Pipe onto cooled cupcakes or spread over a cooled cake.
Note: When adding food colouring add it a few drops at a time and make sure you mix it in otherwise you might end up with a brighter result than you desire.
Variation: Replace icing sugar with Chelsea Berry Flavoured Icing Sugar or Chelsea Chocolate Icing Sugar.
super easy, very moist! super yum and easy. I didn't follow the icing recipe I used a butter cream recipe. *chef kiss*
How long does it take to cream the butter???
CHELSEA SUGAR: Hi there, about 1-2 minutes, until it is smooth, pale and fluffy.
I love it! So smooth and creamy and it stays in place and just delicious. I highly recommend it!! 10/10!
Hello, I am baking a 2 layer 19th birthday cake. Is this recipe good to use for 2x layers of crumb coats and a watercolour effect on the 3rd apply wanting this cake to be perfect for my younger sister but trying to find just the right recipe, thank you.
Chelsea Sugar:
Yes, this recipe would be suitable to use as a crumb coat.
Great buttercream. I've used it many times and every time it has worked. It starts off grainy but soon enough comes out as wonderful buttercream!
It was great!! So easy and tasty!! Great for decorating cupcakes!!
Will definitely use this recipe again!
It was great!! So easy and tasty!! Great for decorating cupcakes!!
Will definitely use this recipe again!
Worst recipe for buttercream icing ever, ended up having to add in milk because it was dry and crumbling, not enough wet ingredients.
I love this recipe of icing it's super easy to do and doesn't require any skill at all (which is handy for amateurs like me)!!!
I LOVE this recipe!!! It’s so easy and delicious. We made lots of the icing - it was to decorate a cake. Everyone, I recommend that you try this recipe NOW!!! ^U^
Lovely recipe! I used this for a cupcake decorating fair and won gold! The butter cream was described as soft and creamy!
what can i use instead of icing sugar?
Chelsea Sugar:
Icing sugar is an essential ingredient in this recipe. You could use Chelsea Icing Sugar or Chelsea Pure Decorating Icing Sugar.
It was amazing! I used Olivani Margarine instead of butter and added 1/4 cup of cocoa...it was still light and fluffy! Everyone commented on it!!
I am thinking of using this recipe for a large birthday cake, will it apply well to the top and the sides?
Thanks
Chelsea Sugar:
Yes, this icing recipe is a good choice for decorating cakes.
my sister makes buttercream all the time she never told me what recipe she makes Im gonna make these this weekend for my birthday cupcakes .. wonder if you can also change vanilla essance with a lil cocoa powder for choc flavour ??
Chelsea Sugar:
Yes, you could do that.
This is a great recipe. I don't usually use butter in my icing recipes but this is just so yummy and now I can't stop making it!
How could I change this to be a mocha flavour, how much coffee and cocoa and would I take anything out?
CHELSEA: it would depend on your taste. Suggest you adjust to your taste and preferred consistency. Let us know how you get on!
Haven't made it yet but really confused about the method
Where do you put in the vanilla?
CHELSEA: oops! We've updated the recipe - add the vanilla along with the hot water.
Hi Chelsea,
Would Margarine Work For This Recipe? (Instead Of Butter)
Chelsea Sugar:
Yes, you could use margarine as a substitute for butter.
Perfect for the wedding cake I am icing, easy to apply and able to put a pattern on to make a nice finish.
Sounds quite easy to make. I have some Lemon Flavoured Icing Sugar MFG 2012 10 06, and wondered if it was still ok to use, as i was going to try this recipe tonight. Thanks
Chelsea Sugar:
The best before date has passed. The flavouring and the colour may not be as originally intended.
Hi, can butter be replaced with a dairy free olive spread in this recipe?
CHELSEA: we would't recommend it - not sure how it would turn out.
Sounds great! Am I able to make this ahead of time & pop in the fridge untill my cake is ready? Or is it best to put on cake straight away? Thanks!
CHELSEA: Hi there, yes you could make this ahead of time. It will harden a little in the fridge so it is best to bring it to room temperature before icing the cake.
Hi Chelsea
Can this recipe be used under fondant?CHELSEA: Generally buttercream icing can be used under fondant, would be interesting to know the result.
I really liked this recipe, it was very easy for me to make. I tried a different frosting which was from the Buttercream Frosting recipe. And I also added my own addition to that, 1 tbsp of cocoa powder and it was amazing! I love Chelsea recipes!
Quick question:
How much cocoa powder needs to be added to make this a chocolate buttercream icing?
Thanks :)
CHELSEA: Hi there, 1/4 cup cocoa powder would work well.
This is so easy and if you are a beginer with icing its so good because it holds it shape so well!!!!!!!
Does it turn out firm?
CHELSEA: Hi there, yes reasonably firm. It's firm enough to pipe onto cupcakes but still light and fluffy.
This buttercream recipe is amazing :D I use it every time I make cup cakes and I always get so many compliments on the icing.
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