Colouring Buttercream

[Mags]

Hi

I'm fairly new to cake decorating and would like advice on achieving a true 'baby blue' buttercream to decorate my son's 1st birthday cake. I have used paste colours (dark blue) in the past but I always seem to end up with a greeny/blue colour. Is there a special kind of butter I should be using?! Does anyone know what I am doing wrong and can offer some advice.

Many Thanks
M

[Louise Brooker]

Hi Mags,

Your buttercream has a green tinge to it because you are starting with a yellow buttercream so it is bound to happen when blue is added. The trick is to start with a white cream in the first place. This can be achieved by using a cream cheese frosting instead (as used on cupcakes). This is my recipe:

300g sifted icing sugar (important that it's sifted)
50g butter at room temperature
125g cream cheese, chilled

(double the recipe for a 20cm cake)

Beat the icing sugar and butter together in a Magimix on medium until well mixed. Add cream cheese in one go and beat until it is mix completely. Turn the mixer on full and beat until it is light and fluffy, at least 5 minutes. Do not overbeat or it will become runny.

Please let me know how you get on.

Happy decorating!

Louise

[Mags]

Hi Louise

Thanks so much it worked a treat! The Thomas the Tank Engine cake was definitely blue as opposed to a dubious green colour!

Thanks again
Mags