Basic Buttercream

Use this simple buttercream icing recipe to decorate your cakes. Try adding a little food colouring for a splash of colour.

Makes enough icing for 1 medium cake or 12 fairy cakes.

Ingredients

• 140g/5oz butter, softened
• 280g/10oz icing sugar
• 1-2 tbsp milk
• few drops food colouring

Preparation method

• Beat the butter in a large bowl until soft. Add half of the icing sugar and beat until smooth.
• Add the remaining icing sugar and one tablespoon of the milk and beat the mixture until creamy and smooth. Beat in the milk, if necessary, to loosen the mixture.
• Stir in the food colouring until well combined.