French Buttercream

Name: French Buttercream
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H25M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT0H40M0.000S
Yield: about 4 cups
Ingredients: 2 large eggs plus 6 large egg yolks; 1 1/2 cups sugar; Pinch kosher salt; 12 ounces (24 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into 1-inch pieces; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

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Level: Intermediate

Total: 40 min
Active: 25 min

Yield: about 4 cups

French buttercream may not be as popular as the Italian or Swiss variety, but it is just as light and creamy. Plus, it is richer and a deeper shade of pale yellow from extra egg yolks. It makes a great cake filling and frosting.

Level: Intermediate

Total: 40 min
Active: 25 min

Yield: about 4 cups

Ingredients

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2 large eggs plus 6 large egg yolks

1 1/2 cups sugar

Pinch kosher salt

12 ounces (24 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

Special equipment:

Candy thermometer

Place the whole eggs and yolks in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until the eggs are pale yellow and thick, about 5 minutes. (The eggs will hold an indent made with your finger for a few seconds.)
Meanwhile, pour the sugar and 1/3 cup water in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan and bring to the soft-ball stage, without stirring, 240 degrees F.
Begin whipping the eggs again on medium-high speed and slowly drizzle in the hot syrup, aiming the syrup between the side of the bowl and the beaters. Continue to whip until both the bottom of the bowl and the mixture are cool, 10 to 15 minutes. The mixture should be thick, but will not form a peak at this point. Beat in the salt.
While still beating on medium-high, add the butter, a few pieces at a time. As the butter is added, the buttercream may appear to thin out some, but it will thicken into firm peaks once all of the butter is added. Beat in the vanilla extract.
Use right away or refrigerate in an airtight container overnight. The buttercream may need to be beaten again to smooth out before using.