Buttercream

Mock cream or buttercream is a simple buttercream made by creaming together butter and powdered sugar to the desired consistency and lightness. Some or all of the butter can be replaced with margarine, or shortening.{{cite web|url=https://www.seriouseats.com/2014/12/buttercreams-frosting-how-to-make-the-best-buttercream-icing-cupcakes-swiss-buttercream-italian-german-styles.html |title=The World of Buttercreams: 6 Varieties to Try at Home |last=Jones |first=Nila |publisher=Serious Eats |date=2014-12-12 |access-date=2018-04-18}}{{cite web|url=https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2014/12/classic-american-buttercream-recipe.html |title=Classic American Buttercream Recipe |last=Jones |first=Nila |publisher=Serious Eats |date=2014-12-12 |access-date=2018-04-18}}{{failed verification|date=March 2025}} A small amount of milk or cream is added to adjust the texture. Usually twice as much sugar as butter by weight is used. Some recipes also call for powdered milk or meringue powder.

Compared to other types of buttercream, American buttercream has fewer ingredients, and is quicker and easier to make.{{Cite web|title=Rethinking American Buttercream: Still Quick and Easy, Just Better|url=https://www.seriouseats.com/how-to-make-american-buttercream|access-date=2021-07-10|website=Serious Eats|language=en}} It is also sweeter because of the high amount of sugar. Because it does not have an egg or cooked base, it is more stable and melts less easily in warm temperatures.

File:Pound_layer_cake.jpg with an outermost layer of uncolored buttercream]]

Meringue buttercream is made by beating softened butter with either Italian or Swiss meringue until the mixture is emulsified and light.{{cite web|last=Geiger|first=Brian|title=The Buttercream Nemesis|url=http://www.finecooking.com/article/the-buttercream-nemesis|access-date=2018-04-18|publisher=FineCooking|archive-date=2018-04-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418230342/http://www.finecooking.com/article/the-buttercream-nemesis|url-status=dead}}{{cite news |title=Cake Display Cabinet |url=https://kdpmachinery.com/tu-trung-bay-banh/ |access-date=29 August 2024}} The meringue must be cooled to room temperature in order not to melt the butter (which has a variable melting point below {{convert|35|°C||abbr=}}){{cite web|last=Cheung|first=Jessica|year=2003|editor-last=Elert|editor-first=Glenn|title=Melting point of butter|url=https://hypertextbook.com/facts/2003/JessicaCheung.shtml|access-date=2019-07-28|website=The Physics Factbook}} as it is subsequently beaten in.

The meringue gives buttercream a structure that is more stable in warm temperatures.

Swiss meringue is made by heating granulated sugar and egg whites until the sugar dissolves, then whipping it until it forms a meringue. The meringue is then whipped with butter and flavorings.

Italian meringue is made by drizzling a hot sugar syrup into already whipped egg whites while continuing to whip.{{Cite web|title=What's the Difference Between French, Swiss, and Italian Meringues?|url=https://www.cooksillustrated.com/features/8186-whats-the-difference-between-french-swiss-and-italian-meringues|access-date=2021-07-10|website=www.cooksillustrated.com}} The meringue is then whipped with butter and flavorings.

Ermine frosting is also known as boiled milk frosting or cooked flour frosting. It is made by cooking flour and milk until it becomes a thick paste or roux.{{Cite web|title=Ermine Icing (Cooked Flour Frosting) {{!}} King Arthur Baking|url=https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/ermine-icing-cooked-flour-frosting-recipe|access-date=2021-07-10|website=www.kingarthurbaking.com|language=en}} The cooked milk mixture is then beaten with butter until light.

Ermine frosting is considered to be old-fashioned, and is less common than other types of buttercream. It is less sweet and has a texture similar to whipped cream.{{Cite web|title=Flour Frosting: The Not-Too-Sweet Buttercream for Whipped-Cream Lovers|url=https://www.seriouseats.com/how-to-make-flour-frosting-ermine|access-date=2021-07-10|website=Serious Eats|language=en}} Traditionally, ermine frosting was used to frost red velvet cake.

French buttercream (also known as pâte à bombe–based buttercream or common buttercream) is made with whipped egg yolks.{{cite web|url=https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2017/11/french-vanilla-buttercream-frosting-recipe.html |title=French Buttercream Frosting Recipe |last=Parks | first=Stella |publisher=Serious Eats |date=2012-02-15 |access-date=2018-04-18}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thekitchn.com/french-buttercream-whats-the-d-128037 |title=French Buttercream: What's the Difference? |last=Gordon |first=Megan |publisher=Kitchn |date=2010-09-29 |access-date=2018-04-18}}

Custard-based buttercream, also known as German buttercream or crème mousseline,{{cite web|url=https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2021/04/paris-brest-pate-a-choux-with-praline-creme-mousseline.html |title=Paris–Brest (Pâte à Choux With Praline Crème Mousseline) Recipe |last=Razon |first=Kristina |publisher=Serious Eats |date=2021-04-01 |access-date=2021-04-08}} is prepared by beating together pastry cream and softened butter, and may be additionally sweetened with extra confectioners' sugar.{{cite web|url=https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2014/12/german-vanilla-buttercream-frosting-recipe.html |title=German Buttercream Recipe |last=Jones |first=Nila |publisher=Serious Eats |date=2014-12-12 |access-date=2018-04-18}}

{{portal|Food}}

• List of butter dishes

{{Reflist}}

{{Foods featuring butter}}

Category:Foods featuring butter

Category:Cake decorating

Category:Creamy dishes