LEMON BUTTERCREAM FROSTING FOR CAKE RECIPES

Steps:

• In the bowl of your mixer beat the butter until smooth,  blend in the lemon extract and zest. Add 1/2 of the powdered sugar and 1/2 of the milk and mix at medium speed until combined. Add remaining powdered sugar and gradually add the milk.  You can also add a touch of lemon yellow coloring gel at this point if you would like more color. Mix at medium speed 3 to 5 minutes scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl occasionally.  At the end of mixing, slow down the mixer to very low speed for a minute or two, this will help to eliminate air pockets in the buttercream. Yield:  6 cups  - enough to fill and frost a 3 layer 8 inch cake Can be frozen in an air tight container for at least 3 months.  Thaw on countertop and remix If your buttercream is too thin, add more powdered sugar. If the consistency is to thick, add a bit more milk, 1 teaspoon at a time.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. Line bottoms of 3 greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment; grease paper., In a bowl, whisk flour and baking powder. In another bowl, whisk sour cream, milk and amaretto until blended. In a large bowl, cream butter, shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in extracts. Add flour mixture alternately with sour cream mixture, beating well after each addition., Transfer batter to prepared pans. Bake 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove paper. Cool completely., In a large bowl, beat butter, vanilla and salt until creamy. Beat in enough confectioners' sugar, alternately with amaretto, to reach desired consistency. Reserve 2/3 cup frosting for piping., Place 1 cake layer on a serving plate; spread with 1/2 cup frosting. Top with remaining cake layer. Frost top and sides with remaining frosting., Pipe reserved frosting around bottom edge of cake. If desired, decorate cake with flowers, using almonds for petals and M&M's for the centers. Pipe designs on frosting with melted chocolate as desired.