Ultimate Buttercream Frosting: 10 flavors

I went to a wedding a couple of weekends ago where they were serving cake, of course.  While I'm sitting there I realize that I have scraped the frosting off the top and sides of my piece of cake.  This is a typical reaction for me.  I'm not a giant frosting fan.  I find that it's usually too sweet, or too sticky, or just leaves a bad sugary aftertaste.  Something is wrong...frosting should be wonderful and flavorful and not so sweet that you want to eat a giant bag of potato chips afterwards.

But then I remember that I have a solution.....my very favorite homemade buttercream recipe, it's been in our family for years.  My mom has used it for as long as I can remember and I myself use it for everything, cake, cupcakes, cookies, brownies,  and graham crackers (try it).

As usual I couldn't sleep, my mind was racing and the next thing I know, I'm up at 3:30 am baking cupcakes.  So many yummy flavor combinations to try, ideas running through my head. The end result - 6 dozen cupcakes, 10 flavors of buttercream and so many more to try later. The best part is that it is the easiest recipe ever and it turns out great every time.

Ultimate Buttercream Frosting
 1/2 c butter softened (replace with Earth Balance Buttery stick for dairy free)
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 c warm water
4 c powdered sugar

Mix all ingredients together with a hand mixer till light and fluffy.  Super easy.

*If its a little runny add more powdered sugar 1 TBSP at a time.  If it's a little stiff, add a little bit of water 1 TBSP at a time.  This recipe is easy to adjust to what you want.

*I replace the butter with earth balance buttery sticks to make this recipe dairy free, it turns out just as great!

The cupcakes are vanilla and chocolate.  I kept that part simple because the frosting has so much yummy goodness already.

Flavor Combinations (as pictured above)

1. Vanilla - as above
2. Peanut Butter - replace the butter with peanut butter and use 1 tsp of vanilla extract, top with Reese's pieces
3. Lemon - replace vanilla with Lemon extract, add 3-5 drops of yellow food coloring
4. Caramel - replace vanilla with caramel extract - top with crushed up heath bar
5. Orange Dreamsicle - replace vanilla with orange extract, add 2 drops of yellow food coloring, 2 drops of red food coloring
6. Cookies n Creme - 1 batch vanilla frosting, crush up Oreos and mix them in with the frosting or crushed on top
7. Strawberries n Creme - replace vanilla with strawberry extract, add 3-5 drops red food coloring, top with shavings of white chocolate
8. Mint Chocolate Chip - use 1 tsp of vanilla extract and 1/8 tsp peppermint extract (it's got a really strong flavor so you won't need more than that), add 3-5 drops green food coloring, top with mini chocolate chips
9. Coconut - replace vanilla with coconut extract, top with toasted coconut
10. Root beer - replace vanilla with root beer extract

There are so many flavors you could make, Raspberry, Banana Cream, Chocolate, Smores, etc.  My mind is still racing.  Seriously, the sky is the limit.  Happy Baking!!