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Simple Frosting

This is a basic frosting good for cupcakes and decorated cookies. This makes enough frosting for one 9-inch cake or 24 cupcakes.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes about 2 cups

Ingredients

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Beat until light and fluffy: 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened.

    Step 2

    Beat in: 1 1/3 cups powdered sugar, sifted.

    Step 3

    Continue beating until light and fluffy. Add: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice.

    Step 4

    Beat until smooth.

  2. Variation

    Step 5

    Flavor the frosting with 2 ounces melted, but not warm, bittersweet chocolate, or with 1/2 teaspoon lemon, orange, or tangerine zest.

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