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This recipe makes enough to fill, frost and garnish an 8-inch 3-layer cake
or a 9-inch 2-layer cake. If desired, the basic recipe can be doubled.

3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
8 egg yolks, room temperature
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into
10 pieces, cool room temperature
Flavoring (see Variations)

Cook sugar and water in heavy small saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally. Increase heat to medium-high and boil without stirring until candy thermometer registers 248 degrees F. (firm-ball stage), brushing down sugar crystals from sides of pan with pastry brush dipped in water, approximately 4 minutes. Meanwhile, beat yolks with electric mixer until well blended and light.
As soon as syrup is ready, gradually beat into yolks in thin, steady stream. Beat mixture at high speed until completely cool and thick, scraping down sides of bowl once or twice, about 20 minutes. Reduce speed to medium-low. Add butter pieces 1 at a time and beat until incorporated. (Can be prepared 1 week ahead and refrigerated or 3 months ahead and frozen. Cover tightly. Before continuing with recipe, bring buttercream to room temperature. Work with spatula until completely smooth.) Using wooden spoon or paddle beater (not whisk), very gradually mix in flavorings.
Makes about 2 1/2 cups.

Variations

Chocolate: Melt 10 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate in double boiler over hot, not simmering, water. Remove from over water. Cool
melted chocolate to 98 degrees F. before adding to buttercream.

Espresso: Dissolve 2 tablespoons instant espresso powder in 2 tablespoons hot water; let mixture cool completely before adding to buttercream.

Raspberry: Purée one 8-ounce package thawed frozen raspberries in
blender or processor until smooth. Strain to eliminate seeds. Combine 5 tablespoons raspberry purée (reserve remainder for another use) and 2 tablespoons seedless raspberry jam.

Hazelnut: Use 1 cup hazelnuts. Toast in shallow baking pan in 350-degree F. oven 7 minutes.  Transfer to strainer. Rub hazelnuts against strainer with towels to remove skins. Cool completely. Grind in processor until very fine.

Almond: Use 1 cup whole unblanched almonds. Toast in shallow baking
pan in 350-degree F. oven 7 minutes. Let cool. Grind in processor until
very fine.

Walnut or pecan: Use 1 1/3 cup nuts. Toast in shallow baking pan in 350-degree F. oven 7 minutes. Let cool. Grind in processor until very fine.

Spirits: Use 3 tablespoons Grand Marnier, rum, kirsch, pear eau-de-vie or Framboise.

Lemon: Use 4 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest and scant 2 teaspoons strained lemon juice.

Orange: Use 4 teaspoons finely grated orange zest and scant 2 teaspoons strained orange juice.

Cinnamon: Use 2 teaspoons cinnamon.

Vanilla: Use 1 tablespoon vanilla extract.

Tips

•  Because buttercream is rich, it is best used on light cakes such as génoise. Spread buttercream thinly.

•  Cakes filled and frosted with spirit-flavored buttercream should be served the same day; otherwise the taste of the spirits will diminish. Other types
can be prepared up to 3 days ahead, covered tightly and refrigerated.

•  To facilitate cutting, chill cake for about 1 hour, then let stand at room temperature briefly so that the buttercream can soften slightly.

•  Do not add flavorings too quickly or more than recommended amount,
or the buttercream will separate. To correct this, chill buttercream 30 minutes. Set bowl of buttercream over pan of warm water for a few
seconds. Remove from heat. Beat with wooden spoon until smooth. If necessary, rewarm again as above. If buttercream is still not smooth,
melt 2 tablespoons butter and gradually beat into buttercream.

•  Cakes may be garnished with fruit, nuts, grated chocolate or small candies to match flavor of buttercream. Try fresh raspberries with Framboise buttercream, for example.

Orange Buttercream
Gourmet September 1996

For orange curd:
5 large egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

For buttercream:
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup water
5 large egg whites
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
6 1/2 sticks (3 1/4 cups) unsalted butter, cut into pieces and softened
to cool room temperature
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons freshly grated orange zest