Ultimate Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Do you have to use vanilla bean paste ?

Recipe is a keeper, and a great "base" for making flavored buttercreams (I make a strawberry one, and a blackberry one by adding a cooked down, strained fruit puree). This recipe makes MORE than enough for 24 regular cupcakes.

Fantastic recipe, easy to work with, very tasty. You can make your own vanilla bean paste by splitting 2 beans to within 1/4" of the ends and roasting in a low-temp oven until dry. Then grind them in a spice mill and add a tablespoon (more or less) of corn syrup until you achieve a slightly thin paste consistency.

The vanilla paste makes all the difference. It was easy to get at Williams-Sonoma, and I'll use it in all my recipes now. The icing is yummy! I iced homemade brownies with it.

Great recipe- I used a little more vanilla bean paste and it was fabulous!