Yay for cupcakes!

I had a dream Sunday night that Kerry, a co-worker, brought cupcakes to the office. This isn't much of a surprise since I dream vividly and often and I love cupcakes!  I especially love the moist, deilicious, made-from-scratch cupcakes that Kerry makes.  I was going to post a recipe for cupcakes but we all know that it is the frosting that is, well, the icing on the cake!

Kerry and I have talked about the secret to good frosting and we have both learned over the years that just about any frosting recipe can be improved with one simple trick:  whip, really whip, the butter.

Here's a great recipe I've used with much success:

Basic Buttercream Frosting

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 8 cups confectioners' sugar
• 6 tablespoons milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Food coloring, optional *

In a large bowl or stand mixer beat the butter on high speed for 3 minutes.  Gradually add the salt and one cup of the confectioners' sugar. Beat thoroughly.  Add 1 tablespoon of milk and 1 cup of sugar alternately, beating well after each addition.  Add vanilla and mix until blended.

* If you're going to add food coloring you may want to leave out just a bit of milk so that the frosting doesn't become too thin.  If you prefer a white vanilla frosting you can purchase clear vanilla which has no color and doesn't tint the frosting.

This recipe yields approximately 5 cups of frosting and is easily halved.