SANDRA'S PERFECT BUTTERCREAM FROSTING or ICING

A truly delightful and airy buttercream frosting or icing
that I often prepare, as this confectioners' delight
enhances most any cake, bar, cookie, or sweet bread recipe...

Yields: (2-1/2 cups)
Prep: 7 Mins.

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup (1/2 cube) unsalted butter, room temperature

1/4 cup (1/2 of an 8-Oz. block) cream cheese, room temperature
� teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups confectioners� sugar, sifted

1-2 tablespoons milk for frosting | 3-4 tablespoons milk for icing

METHOD

In a medium mixing bowl, using a hand mixer to cream together softened butter and cream cheese on high for about 2 minutes. Sift confectioner's sugar over wet ingredients, add milk (depending on your desired consistency for frosting or icing), blend on medium speed until light and fluffy for about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula, as needed. Cover tightly with plastic wrap until ready to use, keeping it at room temperature (as it will tend to harden if refrigerated).

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Tips:

~For variations, feel free to add natural food coloring(s), extracts for flavor, sprinkles, etc.

~One of my favorites is chocolate, simply add 1/3 cup Hershey's unsweetened cocoa powder.

~Finally, I substitute caviar of a small vanilla bean, when on-hand, I like the punch of flavor and its small flecks it provides.