Russian Buttercream
Photo by Fakiri Malik
MAKES
about 3 cups / 710 mL
(enough to frost 12 cupcakes, a 9x13 inch / 23x33 cm sheet cake, or a 2 layer 8 or 9 inch / 20 or 23 cm cake)
TAKES
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: n/a
Total: 15 minutes
✻ ABOUT THIS RECIPE
I typically refer to this as sweetened condensed milk buttercream. This frosting is as easy to make as American buttercream (maybe even easier!). In my opinion, it has a much better overall balance of flavor and texture. American buttercream is cloyingly sweet, and quite thick due to the powdered sugar. Russian buttercream is immensely creamy and smooth - it’s in my top 3 favorite frosting recipes, and it’s definitely on the easier side. This is a great multi purpose frosting that works well as a filling, works for smooth or swoopy frosting techniques, and is great for piping.
INGREDIENTS
226 g / 8 ounces (1 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
10 g / 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or 4 g / 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
2 g / ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
397 g / one (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
Every Type of Buttercream:
METHOD
1. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whip attachment, whip the butter on high speed until nearly white in color, fluffy, and very aerated, 7-8 minutes.
2. Scrape the bowl well, add the salt and vanilla, and whip for 1 minute more.
3. With the mixer running on medium speed, gradually add the sweetened condensed milk in about 4 additions, pouring it into the mixer in a slow, steady stream. Scrape the bowl well once or twice as you incorporate the sweetened condensed milk.
4. Continue to whip the frosting on medium-high speed until it’s thick and smooth, 1-4 minutes more. If the frosting looks broken or grainy, raise speed to high and continue to whip until it comes back together.
5. The buttercream can be used immediately, or refrigerated in an airtight container. To reconstitute the buttercream, bring to room temperature, and mix with the whip attachment in the mixer to bring it back to a smooth, light consistency.
✻ HAVE YOU BAKED IT?
Tag @emcdowell on Instagram or use #happybaking. I’d love to see your bakes!
