Hello, cupcake.
Turns out, I think you’re pretty swell. I love your cute little chocolate body and your creamy frosting top. I also love the fact that you are already perfectly portioned so I don’t have to worry about the potential of consuming an entire chocolate cake by myself.
Beautiful cupcake. Let’s stay together forever.
I don’t know about you, but I use social gatherings as a pure excuse to bake something. Going to the neighbor’s house for dinner? Bring brownies. Headed to the new boyfriend’s house to watch a movie? Bring cookies. Going away party? Definitely cupcakes. While I’m not really a fan of actually hosting parties at my own house, I really love playing hostess at other people’s.
I used a pretty standard chocolate cupcake recipe for these today—my inspiration was actually these vegan cupcakes but I de-veganized them a plethora of buttermilk.
The end result was a light, springy chocolate cupcake. I love these because they aren’t terribly sweet so they make perfect vehicles for delicious billowy frosting, which is the best part anyway, right?
Speaking of frosting, after digging deep into the depths of my freezer, I realized I had leftover Brown Sugar Italian Buttercream from when I made Almanzo birthday cupcakes back in April. Friends, always always ALWAYS make extra frosting and freeze it. All you have to do is thaw then you can re-whip it and it’s just like new!
I love frosting so much. I want to just fill a swimming pool with it and bask to my heart’s content. Sorry, is that too much information?
This frosting hails straight from the bible and is the most utterly delicious thing you could ever put in your face. I’m sorry but it just is.
Brown Sugar Buttercream
from Gourmet
3 large egg whites, room temperature
pinch salt
1 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice (I don’t know if I actually did that)
3 sticks butter. Yes, three sticks.
1 tbsp vanilla extract
Bring the sugar and the water to a boil over medium heat, brushing down the sides of the pot with a wet pastry brush as needed.
AS SOON AS the sugar syrup starts to boil, start beating your egg whites with an electric mixer. Add your lemon juice and beat until the whites hold soft peaks.
While that’s going, make sure to keep an eye on your sugar syrup. Let it come to 238-242 degrees (using a candy thermometer). Once it’s there, immediately drizzle the hot syrup into the egg whites as they are beating. Continue to beat for another six minutes so the meringue has time to cool down a little.
Once the bottom of the bowl doesn’t scald your hand anymore, start adding the butter in very small pieces (mixer is still going at this point). Add the butter, small chunk by small chunk, slowly until you have successfully tossed in all three sticks. Continue beating buttercream for another five minutes or so (add vanilla extract now) until it’s light and fluffy.
It’s quite the process (and quite the amount of butter!) but you won’t regret it. There’s just something about homemade frosting that takes cakes and cupcakes to a whole new level and straight out of the ballpark. You can find candy thermometers at kitchen supply stores, but I think I just used a regular ol’ cooking thermometer that I got for six dollars at Safeway.
Do it.
Cupcake recipe to follow—I have a party to attend!
Crunchy Granola Gal
August 28, 2010 at 6:04 pmi had no idea that frosting is freezable! my baking life will never be the same. i am now cupcake capable. thank you!
Heather (Heather's Dish)
August 28, 2010 at 6:04 pmi love making true buttercream, but never have tried it with brown sugar! i foresee a frosting bath in my future (that sounds so weird, but whatever) 🙂
Amanda @ Vegacious
August 28, 2010 at 6:04 pmYum. These look delightful!
Abbey
August 28, 2010 at 6:05 pmi’ve been an avid reader for seriously like ever, i’ve always found your blog to be very real, and that’s why i love it ( : lately i’ve noticed that your recipes have been very rich. i was wondering if you would consider posting some lighter/healthier recipes in the future? because i love your writing style & personality ( : it would just be nice to see something that doesn’t have a lot of butter in it everytime…just a suggestion. but anyhow, i still read you & support you ( : i don’t know how other people feel, just giving you my honest opinion.
Exercise and Eat
August 28, 2010 at 6:10 pmYou are a baking goddess.
Allie (Live Laugh Eat)
August 28, 2010 at 6:10 pmI can’t believe you made thawed frosting look picture perfect. Have fun at the party, Jenna!
Sarah
August 28, 2010 at 6:10 pmCupcakes steal my heart. You have had some awesome posts recently, nice work!!
Sarah
August 28, 2010 at 6:11 pmOH and cute hair!! I think you mentioned how you used to be brunette, and I just did the same thing… went from 20 years of brunette to light blonde. I’m loving it!!
Random tidbit for ya;)
Sheri
August 28, 2010 at 6:13 pmThat buttercream frosting looks so darn amazing! So do the cupcakes!
Staceyhttp://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/
August 28, 2010 at 6:18 pmHolly butter, wow. But I do love your packaging and I want that ribbon soooo bad.
Morgan @ Healthy Happy Place
August 28, 2010 at 6:20 pmI love your recipes! I made your chicken enchiladas for dinner tonight. here’s the recap: http://healthyhappyplace.blogspot.com/2010/08/my-first-attempt-at-enchiladas.html
eatmovelove
August 28, 2010 at 6:26 pmI am with you on the frosting. It is my best friend.
Yes, perfect portions…but I don’t get portions? I remember even Ellen Degeneres once talking about the Jello Pudding Cups on her show and how they’re portioned at 100 cals or something. But, she said, “yeah, I finish one and then go back and finish the other 5…it’s not like it’s not right there ready to eat!” 😉 Love Ellen.
hippierunner
August 28, 2010 at 6:28 pmi wish i could dig into my freezer and pull out buttercream!
Nora@LifeLifeEatRight
August 28, 2010 at 6:36 pmI am 100% endorsing your love affair with butter cream. Life is too short to not have the good stuff! Is it weird that I would be perfectly content eating this sans cupcake for dessert. By the spoonful is okay…right?
Kate
August 28, 2010 at 6:45 pmWow you’ve done a total 360 to your blog. I really miss your healthy eats and smoothies. I’m seeing too much sweets, brownies, chocolate….you get my drift. Everything you show are high in fat, calories and sugar. You’ve really ditched the healthy eating.
Ashley
November 2, 2011 at 2:19 pmDo you mean 180? LOL
Sana
August 28, 2010 at 6:51 pmI totally agree with you I am always satisfied with 1 cupcake. 1 piece of cake? Not so much. Thanks for sharing your love of delish food!
Nancy
August 28, 2010 at 8:01 pmYour cupcakes look amazing. I have to say I love the new look and also the new focus on your blog. I have been reading your blog for months but rarely comment. I have to say that it really does seem like you have a healthy balance of eating, blogging, and living your life. Too many blogs seem to be obsessed with documenting every little thing about their lives. While that can be entertaining to read/watch, it’s refreshing that your blog isn’t that way.
Jessica@tastyandtrim
August 28, 2010 at 8:14 pmI’d be lying if I said I didn’t drool a bit when I saw this post. Brown sugar buttercream= heavenly 🙂
Angharad
August 28, 2010 at 8:18 pmI just got back from a house warming party where mini carrot cupcakes were served with the obligatory frosting. They were insanely delicious (this lady bakes like none other) but I had to eat about 8 to feel like I was getting my fair share of deliciousness. Sigh.
Marie
August 28, 2010 at 8:49 pmOh, droooool… looks so good! I am far too lazy to make this though… well now I’m not sure. I might have to.
kelsey@snackingsquirrel.com
August 28, 2010 at 9:43 pmplease tell me you dipped ur finger in the batter for a taste hehe.. or at least licked the beaters.. haha. mmmm i call the frosting “a cupcake’s hat” … cant leave home without it 😉
xoxo
Nancy @ The Wife of a Dairyman
August 28, 2010 at 9:50 pmThe frosting is the best part! And yours looks devine:) Have a fun time at the party! Cheers:)
Jasmine @ Eat Move Write
August 28, 2010 at 10:01 pmI guess I’m in the minority here, but I will happily take the cake and leave the frosting. 🙂
Cara
August 28, 2010 at 10:32 pmI agree with Jasmine, I prefer the cake over the frosting!
Little Bookworm
August 29, 2010 at 4:36 amHi Jenna, I don’t think I’ve commented before but I love your blog. The cupcakes and frosting in this post look and sound amazing. I also wanted to comment and say the Chronicles of Culinary School (Part 1 and II) that you wrote recently were fantastic. 🙂
Lauren at KeepItSweet
August 29, 2010 at 4:42 amI used to prefer the cake but in the last few years i have been an iciing lover… just something about the creamy sweetness (though nothing canned!!)
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down)
August 29, 2010 at 4:58 amI had no idea I could freeze frosting! All these years of dumping out half a batch because it always makes too much. Tsk, tsk. Thanks for the tip! 😀
This frosting looks amazing, by the way! I’ll add it to my “to-try” collection. 😀
Allie
August 29, 2010 at 5:18 amoh, those are beautiful. and i had no idea buttercream was freezable! it’s 8 am and i am going running, and my run will end at the supermarket where i am buying the ingredients for this deliciousness.
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin
August 29, 2010 at 5:40 amThere is nothing better than homemade frosting! Yours looks so yummy!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
August 29, 2010 at 6:02 amI want to bathe in buttercream.
eatmovelove
August 29, 2010 at 6:05 amTo the naysayers about the cupcakes – I totally get where your coming from, don’t want to start anything LOL – BUT, she’s going to a party…and she’s talking about eating A cupcake…?
MMiller
August 29, 2010 at 6:23 amHope Rocky has a great year back in college! You sent him off with a great party! I will have to try this frosting! It really does look like it tastes divine! And knowing I can freeze half for another time certainly makes it worth the work!
Kristen @ That Hoosier Girl
August 29, 2010 at 6:25 amI’m with you that the frosting is the best part! I may have to venture outside of my frosting in a tub comfort zone and try to make it myself!
Not sure how long my extras will last in the freezer though – I have a way of not being able to forget and let go of some things 🙂
Kait
August 29, 2010 at 6:35 amumm, yum! Those look delicious.
I am the same way…I love baking for parties & other people. i actually bake cookies for the office every Friday, its become quite the holiday 🙂
Annie@stronghealthyfit
August 29, 2010 at 6:44 amCute lookin’ cupcake there! Do you use a simmering water bath to re-whip your buttercream? I think that’s the easiest way to dethaw it.
Kt.
August 29, 2010 at 6:54 amnot sure which is better the cupcake or the pretty box with the bow, presentation is everything, right? That frosting looked divine.
Christina
August 29, 2010 at 7:03 amah chocolate cake with buttercream icing is my favorite combo!!!! LOVEEEEE ITTTT
Chels @ Just Gotta Tri
August 29, 2010 at 7:13 amMmmm buttercream frosting. Just looking at those puts me in a self imposed sugar coma.
Amber K
August 29, 2010 at 7:44 amThose look absolutely fantastic. Almost makes me forget that I’m not a fan of chocolate cake!
The Blue-Eyed Bakers
August 29, 2010 at 7:49 amOh yes please! Love the brown sugar idea…perfect with that little chocolate cupcake!
Julie
August 29, 2010 at 7:54 amOMG! Thank you for posting the recipe. My copy of “the bible” is from 1963, and while it has about 7 different butter cream recipes, Italian brown sugar isn’t one of them. I *love* brown sugar frostings!
Salah@myhealthiestlifestyle
August 29, 2010 at 7:58 amI’m a frosting fanatic….I would love a big pool of frosting to swim around in 🙂
monicanelsonfitness
August 29, 2010 at 9:00 amThe one and only pic at the top just Melts My Heart! Wow. How lucky your friends are to have you. I am the same- Always thinkin of what to make for any occassion (big or small) my neigbors love it. 🙂 I could swim in some frosting too.
Courtney @ Bread & Bokeh
August 29, 2010 at 9:20 amYUMMMM! These look beautiful and delicious! And I love your commentary. Too funny! 🙂
Maissa
August 29, 2010 at 9:45 amThis makes me wish I had a mixture so I too could be the buttercream frosting queen.
Maissa
August 29, 2010 at 9:46 amOops I meant mixer, not mixture. I blame the iPad keyboard.
Rachel
August 29, 2010 at 9:53 amI just made chocolate buttercream for a cake I’m baking for a friend’s birthday. I never made it before and it turned out soo good 🙂
Laura (Blogging Over Thyme)
August 29, 2010 at 9:53 amI think people that scoff at the amount of butter in buttercream are over doing it a bit. I mean…it’s called butter_cream, clearly there is gonna be a lot of butter in it! You only live once 🙂 Unless you’re eating cupcakes non-stop everyday, it’s fine to indulge once in a while, especially if you’re active! These look great, Jenna!
Penny (VEGGIEtarian)
August 29, 2010 at 10:11 amSweet mother Mary.
That looks glorious.
I love you.
🙂
Caitlin
August 29, 2010 at 10:51 amGood frosting to cupcake ratio.
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August 29, 2010 at 11:41 am[…] gave you the recipe for the buttercream yesterday so today we shall bake cupcakes! Seriously, these are so incredibly simple to throw […]
sarah k. @ the pajama chef
August 29, 2010 at 3:11 pmfreezing is the BEST! comes in hand so often 🙂
mariaeatsbeets
August 30, 2010 at 5:53 amI made Italian Buttercream Icing in baking 101 over the summer, with white sugar. If I were to use the dark brown sugar could I add food coloring to make a light pastel green. I’m going to make these cupcakes for my friends baby shower. I was thinking about using a number 20 tip for the fluffy look. What tip did you use on these?
MB
August 30, 2010 at 8:04 amDo you use cold or room-temp butter in buttercream? Thanks!
jenna
August 30, 2010 at 8:12 amroom temperature! Good question!
Brooke (Baking with Basil)
August 30, 2010 at 11:41 amMust, must, must make this soon!! I LOVE buttercream frosting! Spoon + Frosting = Happy Girl!
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August 31, 2010 at 11:42 am[…] when sandwiched together with vanilla bean ice cream or made into chocolate chip whoopie pies with buttercream […]
Alexandra
August 31, 2010 at 8:01 pmYou inspired me to make this icing and I did tonight and loved it. I had high expectations from your review and was not dissapointed! I was actually surprised the process is not nearly as hard as it sounds either. Just takes some mixing time. Love the new style of the blog!
Ashley
September 3, 2010 at 4:17 pmBOOKMARKED. You are my go-to for dessert recipes!
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September 13, 2010 at 4:08 pm[…] as the base for so many sweet creations? Slather these cookies with raspberry jam, chocolate or buttercream, or just enjoy one in all of it’s simplistic glory alongside a cup of hot tea….the […]
Emily p
September 23, 2010 at 5:11 pmSo help! I just tried to make the frosting. Everything was going perfect until I started to add the butter. Then it went very flat and turned into MUSH! I used butter that was room temp does that matter? I’m so sad it didn’t turn out! plz help if u can..
jenna
September 23, 2010 at 5:12 pmyou have to add the butter very slowly and when you do, it WILL look flat and like watery mush but you just have to keep on beating for about six more minutes and it will come back together. Trust me—It will look awful but you have to keep the kichenaid on high and wait it out..
emily
September 23, 2010 at 8:14 pmuhg.. ok so i threw it out and ill have to try again next time! i was going to try it over but i just wasnt sure what i was doing wrong so i just threw together some cream cheese frosting. bla… i will be working on making the perfect buttercream soon though! 🙂 thanks for your help!!!!
molly l.
January 17, 2011 at 4:41 pmthank you for the chime-in, jenna! this totally saved me! about 1/3 of the way through adding the butter, i thought to myself “this doesn’t look right…” but i kept beating and oh.my.gosh.
Kelley
September 25, 2010 at 3:32 pmSo I made this recipe and it didn’t seem to turn out quite right. The first time I pulled the beater out of the bowl after mixing for a while, there were little white stringy things wound around it. As best I can tell, it’s pieces of egg that got cooked from adding the hot sugar mixture. Is it better to wait for the sugar to cool down a little first? Have you heard of this happening? I’m pretty bummed as it tastes pretty good and it ended up thickening up well. Also, mine seems like it’s darker than yours, or that could just be the different lighting in the picture. Mine turned out more of a carmely color…. Is that wrong?
Andrea
March 28, 2012 at 5:16 pmColor difference is probably just how hot/caramalized you got the sugar on the stovetop. (I make caramel and each batch will be slightly different.) I wouldnt’ worry about it. Mine turned out looking about the color of chocolate chip cookie dough before you bake it.
You have to add the sugar SLOWLY to avoid cooking your eggs (its called tempering). I just poured a constant, slow drizzle from the hot pan into the egg bowl while they were on medium-high speed, and slowly poured all of the sugar in until it was gone. I probably took a full minute to pour the sugar in.
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Shari
September 28, 2010 at 9:23 amDo you know the size of one butter stick? I have had bad experiences in the past using what I thought was one butter stick when the recipe really meant something completely difference – oops!
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Karen
November 4, 2010 at 9:34 amGorgeous. LOVE IT! Am planning to use this buttercream recipe (with the addition of some bourbon & possibly a drizzle of ginger syrup) to frost a spiced pumpkin chiffon layer cake with a pumpkin cheesecake center. That I might have to also decorate with pecans. I just don’t know when to stop. LOL
Julie
November 30, 2010 at 8:42 amHi! I’m planning on using this recipe for a 3 layer red velvet cake and was wondering if it was enough frosting for 3 layers?? MMMm it looks so delicious, though I’ll have to run out and get a candy thermometer to make it!
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December 7, 2010 at 7:24 am[…] was relatively simple to make, and reminded me of making Italian buttercream. Both have the same process of pouring boiling sugar syrup into beaten egg whites. It might sound […]
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Courtney
January 17, 2011 at 6:54 pmJust a word of warning: my hubby and I made this recipe tonight and while it turned out just fine, it was not tasty at all. I don’t mind rich and buttery but this tasted just like straight up whipped butter. If we make this in the future we will use just one or two sticks.
Julien
April 25, 2011 at 11:35 amI completely agree. I was so excited about this recipe, but it just turned out gross- like slimy, fluffy butter and it didn’t taste at all like brown sugar. The texture was great (light, airy and delicate) and the recipe worked exactly as written, but it just has WAY, way too much butter. I’m going to try it again with only 1 stick of butter and see if that helps.
Brenda M.
February 1, 2011 at 8:37 amJenna, love your recipes. Made this frosting last night – one thing I might mention is that I don’t beleive your recipe mentions where to add the salt and vanilla. I pulled out *the Bible* (Gormet cookbook bought on your recommendation) and found where to add them. I tasted the frosting w/out the vanilla and salt, and I could see where Courtney thought it might be a little “blah”. But….the vanilla made a huge difference. I know the salt (which I was too apprehensive to add at the end) would have also helped. Thanks for all of the great recipes. I’m working my way through them all and love them!
Loree
July 2, 2011 at 7:48 pmI hardly ever make frosting from scratch, but cupcake-making is the fad and I want to get fancy so in my search for a buttercream frosting recipe I came across this one. Now, I am not a big frosting person (too sweet), but I LOVE brown sugar. I am so excited to try this! I am starting to make it right now! Thanks!
Kelly
July 14, 2011 at 7:53 pmDo you need to keep them in the fridge?
andrea
July 20, 2011 at 12:44 pmcan you add coloring to the frosting.. say pink?
Lorna
October 11, 2011 at 10:17 amI made these cupcakes, following your recipes exactly. Who knew vegan cupcakes could be that tasty? My taste testers never knew the difference, and were swooning over the cupcakes!
As a side note, my icing also ended up tasting like whipped butter. I added maple flavoring, as well as a bit of 10x powder to stiffen the icing, and it was perfect. I can’t wait to try more of your recipes!
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Joy
March 20, 2012 at 3:18 pmI just made this frosting exactly as directed and it’s DELISH! Then I added a bit more grinded sea salt bc I’m going to drizzle caramel sauce over it eventually…love me some Sea Salt Caramel drizzle 😀
Andrea
March 28, 2012 at 5:11 pmI JUST made this recipe to share with everyone at work tomorrow, and it’s incredible! I can’t tell you how happy I was to find a frosting recipe that doesn’t contain powdered sugar (it always leaves a chemical/soapy taste to me), as well as one that wasn’t so sweet it makes your teeth ache! This is a recipe I will definitely be coming back to in the future! Thanks for sharing!
Aanchal
July 4, 2012 at 10:30 amCan I use light brown sugar instead?
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rabia
October 25, 2012 at 3:42 pmHi :))))
I think I did something wrong while making this 🙁 it tasted great but it kinds collapsed on me!! It was perfect till the meringue stage but once I put in the melted brown sugar syrup it went all funny!! It was stiff n not at all creamy n after I put it in the fridge (in cling covered bowl) I kinda separated n the sugar syrup started to leave the icing :((( I am really sad as I was looking forward to it!! Plz could you help me on how to get it right 🙂 I think I must have messed up while beating the egg whites as I didn’t realize I had beat them to the syiff peak stage n not the soft peak stage ?? I really love the flavor plz help me get it right!! Thanx a billion 🙂
rabia
October 25, 2012 at 3:45 pmSorry I meant to write it collapsed when I added the butter n wrote sugar syrup instead!!! Sorry !!!!!
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March 2, 2013 at 6:31 am[…] made a brown sugar buttercream frosting and added whole Cocoa Puffs on […]
Steph
October 28, 2013 at 7:09 pmThis is the worst buttercream recipe I have EVER had! Ugh….yuck. Definitely not making this again. I actually threw my cupcakes that I had already frosted in the trash.