If you're looking to make a frosting that really pops, this Super Red Buttercream Frosting is the way to go. Perfect for cakes, cupcakes, or any treat that needs a splash of color, this frosting is both vibrant and delicious. One of the great things about this recipe is that it uses both butter and shortening, giving it a nice balance of flavor and stability, which is especially important when you're working with strong colors like red.
Getting that perfect red can be tricky, but starting with a pink base helps a lot. You don't need any fancy ingredients—just your usual butter, shortening, powdered sugar, and some gel food coloring. Using gel food coloring is key because it gives you a strong, vivid color without watering down your frosting. And remember, the color will deepen as it sits, so don’t worry if it doesn’t look super red right away.
This frosting is versatile, too. You can make it ahead of time and store it in the fridge or freezer until you need it. Just make sure to bring it back to room temperature and give it a good whip before using it. Ready to get started? Here’s what you’ll need and how to make it:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, room temperature (434g)
- 1 cup vegetable shortening* (205g)
- 7 cups or 2 lb. bag of powdered sugar (454g)
- 2-4 tablespoons water or milk (15ml)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (4ml)
- 1 teaspoon butter vanilla (4ml) (optional)
- Pink gel food coloring (optional)
- Tulip Red gel food coloring
Instructions:
1. Mix the Butter and Shortening: Start by adding the butter and shortening to your mixing bowl. Use your mixer to cream them together until the mixture is smooth. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is well combined.
2. Add the Flavors: Next, add the vanilla extract and butter vanilla (if you’re using it) to the bowl. Mix again until the flavors are evenly distributed throughout the butter and shortening.
3. Incorporate the Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar to the bowl, a little at a time, mixing well after each addition. This part can get a bit messy, but it's worth it. Keep scraping down the sides of the bowl to make sure all the sugar is mixed in. Once all the powdered sugar is added, your frosting will be quite thick and dry.
4. Adjust the Consistency: To get the right texture, slowly add tablespoons of water or milk to thin the frosting. Start with one tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency. I usually use milk, but water works just fine too.
5. Color the Frosting: If you’re starting with pink, add some pink gel coloring and mix until you get a bright pink color. Then, add a generous squirt (about a tablespoon) of red gel coloring to the frosting and mix until well incorporated.
6. Let the Color Develop: Cover the frosting with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container and let it sit for a few hours or overnight at room temperature to let the color deepen.
7. Store or Use: You can use this frosting immediately or keep it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to two weeks. It can also be frozen for several weeks. If you're using it from the fridge, make sure it's completely thawed and re-whip, adding milk as needed to get the desired texture again.
And there you have it—delicious and vibrant Super Red Buttercream Frosting that’s perfect for any occasion!