Vanilla Bean Frosting Food

VANILLA BEAN BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Beat 2 cups of unsalted butter on a medium speed for 30 seconds until smooth with a paddle attachment / stand mixer or a hand mixer.
• Mix in 1 Tbsp vanilla bean paste and 1/2 tsp salt on a low speed.
• Slowly add in 7 cups of powdered sugar while mixing slowly on the lowest setting. Half way through add in 3 Tbsp of heavy cream or milk to make it easier to mix. I like to place a kitchen towel over my mixer to contain any powdered sugar clouds.
• Mix on low until the ingredients are fully incorporated and the desired consistency is reached.
• If the frosting is too thick, add in additional cream (1 Tbsp at a time). If the frosting is too thin, add in more powdered sugar (quarter of a cup at a time).
• If you plan to color the buttercream, add in the gel food coloring once the frosting is fully mixed and beat on low until it reach the desired colored.

CHOCOLATE SHEET CAKE WITH VANILLA BEAN FROSTING

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Add the flour, granulated sugar and salt to a large bowl and stir together; set aside. Add the buttermilk, baking soda, vanilla and eggs to a separate bowl. Mix with a fork and set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Add the cocoa and whisk to combine.
• Meanwhile, bring 1 cup water to a boil. Pour the boiling water into the butter and cocoa pan. Allow to bubble for a moment, then turn off the heat.
• Pour the cocoa mixture into the flour mixture. Stir together for a moment to allow it to cool slightly, then pour in the egg mixture. Stir together until smooth. Add the chocolate chips, stirring, then pour into an ungreased jelly roll pan (or rimmed baking sheet). Bake until an inserted cake tester comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Allow to cool for about 20 minutes.
• For the frosting: While the cake bakes, combine the powdered sugar, butter, milk, salt and vanilla bean caviar in a large bowl. Using a hand mixer, mix on low until incorporated. Increase the speed and mix until light and fluffy; set aside.
• Spread the top of the cake with the frosting, slice and serve.

VANILLA-BEAN MILK FROSTING

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, whisk together flour, milk, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth. Heat over medium-high, whisking constantly, until mixture becomes thick and resembles pudding, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat; transfer to a bowl. Cover surface with plastic wrap and let cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter with sugar and vanilla seeds on medium speed, scraping down sides as necessary, until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add milk mixture and continue to beat until frosting is light and fluffy and looks like whipped cream, 2 to 3 minutes. Use immediately.

VANILLA BEAN AND CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Slit vanilla bean in half and use tip of knife to scrape the vanilla bean paste from each side of vanilla bean pod.
• Whip cream cheese in bowl until smooth.
• Add butter and beat to combine.
• Add vanilla extract and vanilla bean pod paste.
• Beat in powdered sugar a little at a time until frosting is thick and as sweet as you like.
• Katie mentioned that she only uses unsalted butter in her frostings and that she also "pipes" her frosting on cupcakes rather than spreading with a knife or spatula.

VANILLA BEAN BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter until creamy. Slowly add confectioners' sugar; beat to combine, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary.
• Add vanilla bean seeds and vanilla extract, and beat to combine. Slowly add milk and continue beating on medium-low speed until smooth and creamy, about 5 minutes.