Ingredients
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
– 4 cups powdered sugar
– 1/4 cup heavy cream
– Zest of 1 orange
– 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– A pinch of salt
– Optional: Orange food coloring
Equipment Needed
– Mixing bowl
– Electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer)
– Rubber spatula
– Measuring cups and spoons
– Zester or grater
– Piping bags (if you plan on decorating)
Step-by-Step Instructions
First, I start by beating the softened butter in my mixing bowl with an electric mixer until it’s light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes. The nice thing about buttercream is that the color will lighten and the texture becomes so airy, it’s often a little mesmerizing. After that, I gradually incorporate the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low to avoid a sugar cloud. Once it’s all combined, I add in the fresh orange juice and heavy cream, along with the orange zest, and continue mixing until everything is fully blended and smooth. The aroma of fresh oranges in the air is just heavenly! (See the next page below to continue steps…)