Buttercream is basically a flavored mixture of butter, sugar and eggs that is used to fill and frost cakes. Whole eggs, yolks or whites may be heated with sugar over simmering water and whipped cold before adding the butter and flavoring, or a sugar syrup cooked to the firm-ball stage can be poured over the eggs, then whipped until cold before the butter and flavoring are added. Buttercream can also be made by combining butter with pastry cream in a 1-to-2 ration or with custard sauce, 1-to-1.
There are many varieties of buttercream used in a pastry kitchen; most buttercreams contain unsalted butter, either egg yolks or egg whites, sugar and flavourings. In most cases, the butter is double the weight of the sugar, incorporating as much air as possible.
A mixture of butter, sugar, and eggs or custard; it is used to garnish cakes and pastries.
A light, uncooked frosting made of butter, sugar and egg yolks, and sometimes milk or light cream, that is used to fill and frost cakes and pastries.
A soft and creamy icing that can be colored, flavored and used for decoration or filling for a wedding cake.v
A cake icing that can be flavored with almost anything. Ours is an Italian Buttercream, made with boiled sugar syrup and all butter. (Not everyone does- not all buttercream is created equally!)
A light, creamy frosting made with softened butter, confectioners' sugar, egg yolks and milk or light cream. This uncooked frosting is beaten until light and creamy.
A smooth, creamy icing that stays soft. It can be in any color and flavor. Also makes a good filling. Buttercream contains a lot of butter, so it melts easily in heat and humidity.
Icing made with flavoring and either all butter or half butter/half shortening, it is good-tasting and easy to work with. See also Decorator's or Practice Buttercream.
thick cream made only of eggs, sugar and butter. Buttercream is used (in small quantities) in some pastries, and can also be used as a chocolate centre.
A smooth, creamy frosting that stays soft so it's easy to cut through. It can be colored and/or flavored. Also used to create piping, swags, and other borders, as well as decorative rosettes. It can be used as filling, too.