Buttercream frosting

Ingredients: 8 tablespoons (1 stick/4 oz./113g) butter, at room temperature 3 cups confectioners' (icing) sugar, sifted 3 to 5 tablespoons milk 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Food coloring, if tinting frosting Additions: 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (if making Chocolate Buttercream Frosting)

Instructions: 1. Place the butter in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed until fluffy, 30 seconds. Stop the machine and add the confectioners' sugar, 3 tablespoons of the milk, and the vanilla. 2. Blend with the mixer on low speed until the sugar is incorporated, 1 minute. Increase the speed to medium and beat until light and fluffy, 1 minute more. Add up to 1 tablespoon more milk if the frosting seems too stiff. Makes 2 1/2 cups, enough to frost 24 cupcakes.