What’s the secret to a naturally delicious, fluffy, colourful buttercream? Soft creamery butter, fruit tea and whip, whip, whip it! Top your homemade or store-bought cupcakes with this simple yet fabulous buttercream using the natural flavour of the fruit tea. It’s easy to make and produces delicious berry buttercream results. Strawberry tends to be a favourite, but all the berry or fruit teas make delicious buttercream, icing, and glazes. See tips below for more ideas.
Berry Delicious Buttercream
Berry Delicious ButtercreamMAKES 2 ½ CUPS
INGREDIENTS
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 4 cups confectioner’s sugar, sifted
• 2 tablespoons of steeped Fruit Tea of choice, cooled
• A pinch of salt (omit if using salted butter)
OPTIONAL: Fresh berries and edible flowers to decorate
HOW TO
1. Add softened butter to a mixing bowl and whip until light, fluffy and light yellow in colour.
2. With the mixer on low speed add 2 cups of confectioner’s sugar, 1 cup at a time until blended
3. Now add the cooled fruit tea and mix until blended
4. Add the remaining 2 cups of confectioner’s sugar, 1 cup at a time and a pinch of salt
5. Now increase speed and beat the buttercream until light and fluffy
6. Adjust sugar or fruit tea if necessary to achieve desired piping or spreading consistency
TIPS
• For darker buttercream colour, and deeper flavour, steep fruit tea double-strength. Blueberry, elderberry and cranberry give the darkest results due to the colour of the berries and the amount of hibiscus in the blend.
* For light-coloured buttercream, use teas with apple, peach or vanilla and steep 1-2 minutes.
• Decorate your cupcakes with berries, fruit, edible flowers and bits of greenery or herbs. Remember to only decorate food with edible, organic or non-sprayed garnishes.
