Mom's Buttercream Frosting

I couldn't let the holidays pass without sharing this one.  Every Christmas (or any time cake was being made at home), our Mom always whipped up a bowl of her simple butter cream frosting!   She would sometimes put equal amounts in separate bowls and add food coloring, if we were decorating Christmas cookies.   We used to sit at the table and decorate cookies for hours, then take plates of them over to family members and friends.   It sort of became a tradition, and people would ask when they are going to get their cookies!  The frosting was usually the highlight.   Sometimes money was tight and she did occasionally use margarine...   But she preferred real butter, whenever she had it. 

Mom's Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients:

3 cups powdered sugar

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature.

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 to 2 tablespoons milk or cream

Directions:

1.     1. In a medium bowl (or with a mixer or beater), mix together the butter and sugar, until fully combined.  If using a mixer or an electric beater, use low speed and/or a whisk attachment for a mixer.

2.      2. Add vanilla and cream/milk and continue beating together, until mixture reaches spreadable consistency.   More cream/milk can be added for thinner frosting, but do so in small quantities, as it thins out very easily (you may want it thinner if you are making something like cinnamon buns, but for cake or cookies, thicker is better).    Frost as desired.     

TIP:   This frosting is extremely versatile, you can add food coloring for different colors, and flavor extract for different flavors.  You can also blend in some cream cheese for a delicious cream cheese frosting!