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best vanilla frosting recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
- Diet: General
Description
This sophisticated vanilla buttercream features a vibrant pistachio swirl created by blending ground pistachios into a smooth cream, then gently folding it into a classic frosting base for a beautiful marbled effect.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups icing sugar, sifted
- 1/4 cup milk, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, alcohol-free
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 cup shelled pistachios
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk, room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, alcohol-free
- 1 tablespoon crushed pistachios, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Pistachio Cream: Add shelled pistachios, granulated sugar, milk, and vanilla extract (for pistachio cream) to a food processor. Blend thoroughly, scraping down sides, until the mixture forms a smooth, creamy paste. Adjust with a few drops more milk if too thick. Reserve 2 tablespoons for garnish.
- Cream Butter: Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes until light, fluffy, and noticeably paler in color. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Add Icing Sugar: Gradually add the sifted icing sugar (about 1/2 cup at a time) to the butter, mixing on low speed until combined after each addition. The mixture will become thick and crumbly.
- Finish Frosting Base: Add the milk, vanilla extract, and pinch of salt to the butter-sugar mixture. Increase mixer speed to medium-high and beat for 3 to 5 minutes until the frosting becomes light, airy, and fluffy. Adjust consistency by adding a teaspoon of milk if too thick, or a tablespoon of icing sugar if too thin.
- Create Pistachio Swirl: Transfer about 3/4 of the vanilla frosting base to a separate bowl. To the remaining 1/4 of frosting, add approximately half of the prepared pistachio cream (40-50g). Gently fold with a spatula only a few times to create clear green streaks and ribbons, avoiding overmixing.
- Combine and Serve: Combine the swirled pistachio portion with the larger portion of plain vanilla frosting. Fold gently a few more times to marble the green ribbons throughout the batch. Spread or pipe onto cooled desserts and garnish with reserved pistachio cream and crushed pistachios.
Notes
To fix a grainy texture, try beating on medium-high speed for another 1-2 minutes to help dissolve residual sugar grains. If the frosting looks curdled, warm a small amount in the microwave for 10 seconds, return it to the bowl, and beat for 3-5 minutes until smooth.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 15 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Keywords: vanilla frosting, pistachio swirl, buttercream, dessert topping, marbled frosting, homemade frosting, sweet treat
