Best 9 French Buttercream Recipes

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In the realm of baking, frosting holds a prominent position, adding a layer of delightful sweetness and aesthetic charm to cakes, cupcakes, and pastries. Among the plethora of frosting options, French buttercream stands tall with its velvety texture, rich flavor, and versatility. This classic frosting is a culinary masterpiece that has graced desserts for centuries, leaving an indelible mark on the culinary landscape. Whether you are a seasoned baker or a novice enthusiast, embarking on a culinary journey to create the perfect French buttercream can be a rewarding experience. This comprehensive guide will delve into the art of French buttercream, providing you with the knowledge and techniques to achieve frosting excellence. Discover the secrets of selecting the finest ingredients, mastering the art of whipping and creaming, and incorporating flavor variations to create a symphony of tastes. With this guide as your compass, you will embark on a culinary adventure that will transform your desserts into works of art.

Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!

FRENCH BUTTERCREAM FROSTING



French Buttercream Frosting image

This buttercream is great for icing cakes, and writing on them. It gets hard when refrigerated, so you have to let it come to room temperature before serving. You cannot make flowers with this recipe. I use this recipe every time I make birthday cakes for my family.

Provided by Kristen Pontier

Categories     Desserts     Frostings and Icings     Buttercream

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 cup unsalted butter
½ cup shortening
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon butter flavored extract
½ cup heavy whipping cream
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Steps:

  • Mix heavy cream and flour in a small bowl. Heat the mixure in the microwave for 45 seconds on high. Set aside to cool.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine butter, shortening, confectioner's sugar, vanilla extract and butter extract.
  • Using and electric mixer, beat on low until combined. Then beat on medium speed for 6-8 minutes.
  • Next add the heavy cream mixture, and beat on medium speed for another 10 minutes. ( Mixture will appear soupy at first, but will become fluffy.)

Nutrition Facts : Calories 333.7 calories, Carbohydrate 22.2 g, Cholesterol 54.3 mg, Fat 27.6 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 0.6 g, SaturatedFat 14.1 g, Sodium 6.1 mg, Sugar 19.7 g

FRENCH BUTTERCREAM



French Buttercream image

French buttercream may not be as popular as the Italian or Swiss variety, but it is just as light and creamy. Plus, it is richer and a deeper shade of pale yellow from extra egg yolks. It makes a great cake filling and frosting.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     dessert

Time 40m

Yield about 4 cups

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 large eggs plus 6 large egg yolks
1 1/2 cups sugar
Pinch kosher salt
12 ounces (24 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Place the whole eggs and yolks in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until the eggs are pale yellow and thick, about 5 minutes. (The eggs will hold an indent made with your finger for a few seconds.)
  • Meanwhile, pour the sugar and 1/3 cup water in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan and bring to the soft-ball stage, without stirring, 240 degrees F.
  • Begin whipping the eggs again on medium-high speed and slowly drizzle in the hot syrup, aiming the syrup between the side of the bowl and the beaters. Continue to whip until both the bottom of the bowl and the mixture are cool, 10 to 15 minutes. The mixture should be thick, but will not form a peak at this point. Beat in the salt.
  • While still beating on medium-high, add the butter, a few pieces at a time. As the butter is added, the buttercream may appear to thin out some, but it will thicken into firm peaks once all of the butter is added. Beat in the vanilla extract.
  • Use right away or refrigerate in an airtight container overnight. The buttercream may need to be beaten again to smooth out before using.

FRENCH MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM



French Meringue Buttercream image

Provided by Duff Goldman

Categories     dessert

Time 20m

Yield about 4 pounds of buttercream (enough to ice a 3-tier cake)

Number Of Ingredients 3

10 egg whites
15 ounces sugar
2 1/2 pounds unsalted butter, at room temperature

Steps:

  • Start whipping egg whites slowly in the mixer until foamy. Increase the speed of the mixer and slowly start adding the sugar until all the sugar is incorporated. Once all the sugar is in, increase the speed of the mixer even more and whip until the mixture is shiny and stiff. You now have a meringue. You know when your meringue is done when you pull out the whip, hold it horizontally, and if you have what looks a "sparrow's beak" on the end of the whip.
  • Replace the whip, turn the mixer on medium and start adding the butter a bit at a time. Once all the butter is incorporated, turn the mixer on high and let mix; depending on the weather, the buttercream could take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes to form. You will know when it has formed when you hear the motor of the mixer start to slow down and whine a little bit; also, when you first add the butter, your meringue will break down and look weird and this is what you want. When the buttercream is done, the mixture will be homogeneous, consistent, and tasty.
  • Remove the buttercream from the bowl and transfer to an airtight container. Buttercream can be kept at room temperature for a few days or in the refrigerator for a 1 to 2 weeks, but always use warm buttercream when icing a cake. To warm up the buttercream, put it back in the mixer using the whip or the paddle, and apply direct heat with a propane torch you can find at any hardware store.

FRENCH BUTTERCREAM



French Buttercream image

French buttercream has a custard-like texture and is great if you're going to be piping shapes or decorations. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 40m

Yield 4 cups.

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
10 large egg yolks
2 cups butter, softened
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • In a small heavy saucepan, combine sugar and water. Bring to a boil; cook over medium-high heat until a thermometer reads 240° (soft-ball stage), 3 to 4 minutes. Meanwhile, using a stand mixer, beat egg yolks in a large bowl on high speed until thick and foamy, 8-10 minutes. , Slowly pour hot sugar syrup over egg yolks while beating continuously. Continue beating on high until mixture cools to room temperature, 15 to 20 minutes. , Gradually add butter, a few tablespoons at a time, beating on medium after each addition until smooth. Beat in vanilla. Use immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 72 calories, Fat 6g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 44mg cholesterol, Sodium 47mg sodium, Carbohydrate 3g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein.

VANILLA FRENCH BUTTERCREAM



Vanilla French Buttercream image

This wonderful vanilla French buttercream should be paired with Butter Lane's Chocolate Cupcakes.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cake Recipes     Fillings & Frostings     Buttercream Frosting Recipes

Yield Makes about 1 quart

Number Of Ingredients 6

7 extra-large egg whites
2 1/2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces and chilled
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 vanilla beans, halved lengthwise

Steps:

  • In a large heatproof bowl set over (but not touching) simmering water, whisk together egg whites and sugar until sugar is melted and mixture reaches 140 degrees on a candy thermometer, 7 to 10 minutes.
  • Transfer mixture to the bowl of an electric mixture fitted with the whisk attachment; beat on high until stiff peaks form, 12 to 15 minutes. Add cream of tartar and beat for one minute more.
  • Reduce speed to medium and add butter, a few pieces at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add vanilla extract and scrape vanilla bean seeds into mixture; beat until well combined, about 2 minutes. Transfer to refrigerator; chill for 15 minutes before using.

FRENCH BUTTERCREAM FROSTING



French Buttercream Frosting image

A very rich, light icing. Once you use this style of buttercream icing, you will never go back to the old standard.

Provided by Leta8076

Categories     Dessert

Time 30m

Yield 1 1/2 lb

Number Of Ingredients 6

8 ounces sugar
2 ounces water
3 ounces egg yolks
10 ounces butter, softened
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
3 ounces sweet chocolate or 1 1/2 ounces unsweetened chocolate (optional)

Steps:

  • Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan.
  • Bring to a boil while stirring to dissolve the sugar.
  • Continue to boil until the syrup reaches a temperature of 240 degrees F (115 C) While the syrup is boiling, beat the yolks with a wire whip or the whip attachment of a mixer until they are thick and light in color.
  • As soon as the syrup reaches 240 F, pour it very slowly (in a thin stream) into the beaten yolks while whipping constantly.
  • Continue to beat until the mixture is completely cool and the yolks are very thick and light.
  • Whip in the butter a little at a time.
  • Add it just as fast as it can be absorbed by the mixture.
  • Beat in the vanilla.
  • If the icing is too soft, refrigerate it until it is firm enough to spread.
  • Chocolate: Melt 3 oz sweet chocolate and cool slightly (chocolate must not be too cool or it will solidify before completely blending with the buttercream).
  • Blend with about one quarter of the buttercream, then blend this mixture into the rest.
  • For very sweet buttercreams, use 1 1/2 oz unsweetened chocolate instead of the sweet chocolate.

FRENCH CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM



French Chocolate Buttercream image

This is a very delicate, all butter, chocolate buttercream icing. My husband, who is not a sweets eater, requests this icing on an orange cake each year for his birthday. Try it and you won't be disappointed. Be sure the chocolate is cooled or you will end up with a sauce instead of an icing.

Provided by Tami

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     French

Time 45m

Yield 20

Number Of Ingredients 5

4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
⅓ cup white sugar
¼ cup water
2 eggs
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into tablespoons

Steps:

  • Melt chocolate in a microwave according to package instructions. Set aside and let cool completely.
  • Combine sugar and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil; let boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • Beat eggs in a large bowl using an electric mixer until frothy. Drizzle in sugar mixture slowly; beat on high speed until mixture turns pale yellow and expands in volume, about 5 minutes. Add butter by tablespoon one at a time with mixer running, beating well after each addition. Frosting will become watery; continue with remaining butter.
  • Mix in cooled melted chocolate. Beat on high speed until frosting thickens and becomes fluffy, about 5 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 128.6 calories, Carbohydrate 5 g, Cholesterol 40.8 mg, Fat 12.6 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 1.4 g, SaturatedFat 7.8 g, Sodium 8.8 mg, Sugar 3.4 g

SWISS MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM FOR FRENCH ALMOND MACARONS



Swiss Meringue Buttercream for French Almond Macarons image

Use this recipe to make our French Almond Macarons.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cake Recipes     Fillings & Frostings     Buttercream Frosting Recipes

Yield Makes 4 cups

Number Of Ingredients 4

4 large egg whites
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, (3 sticks), softened, cut into tablespoons
2 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Put egg whites and sugar in the heatproof bowl of an electric mixer set over a pan of simmering water. Whisking constantly, cook until sugar has dissolved and mixture is warm (about 160 degrees).
  • Attach bowl to a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat egg white mixture on high speed until it forms stiff (but not dry) peaks. Continue beating until fluffy and cooled, about 6 minutes.
  • Switch to the paddle attachment. With mixer on medium-low, add butter several tablespoons at a time, beating well after each addition. (If frosting appears to separate after all butter has been added, beat on medium-high speed until smooth again, 3 to 5 minutes more.) Beat in vanilla. Reduce speed to low; beat 2 minutes to eliminate air bubbles. Stir with a rubber spatula until smooth.

FRENCH CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM CAKE



French Chocolate Buttercream Cake image

Make and share this French Chocolate Buttercream Cake recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Derf2440

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h15m

Yield 10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

butter
flour
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 1/3 cups sugar
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, broken into small pieces
3/4 cup lightly-salted butter, cut into 12 pieces
1 1/4 cups sour cream
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/2 cups cake flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup milk
chocolate buttercream icing (recipe in 'zaar)

Steps:

  • Place oven rack in centre of oven, heat to 350°F.
  • Butter and flour bottoms of 2- 8 inch round cake pans, reserve.
  • Beat eggs in large mixer bowl at high speed 1 minute.
  • Continue beating, adding sugar very slowly, about 7 minutes.
  • Melt chocolate with 3/4 cup butter.
  • Drizzle warm chocolate mixture into egg mixture, beating at low speed until blended.
  • Add sour cream and vanilla, beat at low speed until thoroughly blended.
  • Sift together 1 1/2 cups flour, the cocoa and baking soda.
  • While beating at low speed, add dry ingredients, about 1/2 cup at a time, to chocolate mixture alternating with milk, about 1/3 cup at a time.
  • Stop mixer as necessary to clean sides of bowl with rubber spatula.
  • Beat until well blended.
  • Pour half of batter into each reserved pan, place pans in oven diagonally on same rack.
  • Bake until cake tester or wooden pick inserted in centre of each cake comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes.
  • Cool cakes in pans on wire racks until just warm, remove from pans and cool completely on racks.
  • Prepare Chocolate Buttercream.
  • Reserve about 1/2 cup buttercream for decorative piping.
  • To assemble cake, place 1 layer on serving plate, spread top evenly with 3/4 of the firm buttercream.
  • Refrigerate 30 minutes.
  • Place second cake layer on top of first layer.
  • Frost sides, then top of cake completely with buttercream.
  • Pipe reserved buttercream through pastry bag fitted with star tube in a decorative border around top of cake.
  • Refrigerate cake until thoroughly chilled, serve cold.
  • Cake must be stored in refrigerator.

Tips:

  • Start with room temperature butter: This ensures that the butter is smooth and easy to mix, which is essential for a light and fluffy buttercream.
  • Use high-quality butter: The better the butter, the better the buttercream will taste. Look for butter that is unsalted and has a high fat content (at least 80%).
  • Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy: This step is essential for incorporating air into the buttercream, which makes it light and fluffy. Cream the butter and sugar together for at least 5 minutes on high speed.
  • Add the heavy cream slowly: Adding the heavy cream too quickly can cause the buttercream to curdle. Add it slowly, one tablespoon at a time, until the buttercream reaches the desired consistency.
  • Flavor the buttercream to taste: There are many ways to flavor buttercream, such as adding vanilla extract, chocolate, fruit puree, or nuts. Experiment until you find a flavor combination that you love.
  • Use buttercream immediately or store it in the refrigerator: Buttercream can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you're ready to use it, let it come to room temperature for 30 minutes before beating it until light and fluffy.

Conclusion:

French buttercream is a classic frosting that is perfect for cakes, cupcakes, and other desserts. It is light, fluffy, and flavorful, and it can be customized to suit your taste. With a few simple tips, you can make a delicious French buttercream that will impress your friends and family.

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