Orange Buttercream Frosting

 Buttercream frosting is one of the most versatile recipes in your arsenal - and it's simplicity itself. A basic buttercream is just exactly what it sounds - butter that is creamed (beaten until light and fluffy) and combined with powdered sugar, and lightened with milk or cream. Three ingredients. Once you have that you have a tabula rosa, a blank slate on which you can write with nearly unlimited flavors. Learning this little trick will give you awesome culinary superpowers.

In this case the flavor profile is citrus - more specifically orange. I love citrus flavors in deserts, and orange is simply fabulous. Swapping the milk for fresh orange juice and adding the pop of citrus zest provides an absolutey decadent result. Try this with the Orange Layer Cake, or use it to top simple orange or vanilla cupcakes. You'll find this one will quickly become a new favorite!

You'll Need:

6 tablespoons butter, softened
1 pound powdered sugar, sifted
1 tablespoon orange zest, finely grated
1 pinch salt
6 tablespoons orange juice, freshly squeezed

That's it! See? Simple!

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter until light and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar, working in stages to fully incorporate.

2. Add the orange zest, salt and the first 3 tablespoons of juice. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, and add more orange juice as needed until the frosting reaches the desired spreadable consistency. Use with Orange Layer Cakes.

Nutritional Information
201.4 Calories, 5.8g Total Fat, 3.6g Saturated Fat, 25.5% Calories from Fat, 15.5g Cholesterol, 250.7mg Sodium, 51.3 Calories from Fat, 38.8g Carbohydrate, 0.07g Dietary Fiber, 0.1g Protein

Serves: 12. Preparation Time is 10 minutes. Inactive Preparation Time is 00 minutes. Cooking Time is 00 minutes