Cookies and Cream Buttercream

USD

1 ¾ cups Sugar
½ cup Water
8 Large Egg Whites, at Room Temperature
2 cups (4 sticks) Unsalted Butter, cut into tablespoon size pieces, at room temperature
1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
½ cup Oreo Crumbs

YIELD

Makes 6 cups

PREP TIME

30-45 minutes

PAIRINGS

Vanilla Cake

TIPS

Before using frozen buttercream, let it thaw in the fridge overnight, and then sit at room temperature for 2 to 4 hours. Stir well before using. If you feel like your buttercream is still too cold, you can place it in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, wrap a hot towel around the bowl, and whip at high speed until it reaches room temperature.

Item Name:	Availability:
Stand Mixer fitted with a Whisk Attachment
Saucepan
Candy Thermometer
Rubber Spatula

Sugar & Water

In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and ½ cup water. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil. Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pan.

Prep the Egg Whites

While the sugar syrup is heating, put the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.

Whip the Eggs

When the syrup reaches 230°F on the candy thermometer, begin to whip the egg whites on medium-high speed. Whip until the egg whites are stiff. The idea is to get to this stage of the eggs stiff by the time your syrup reaches 240°F and you can move to the next step.

Add the Sugar

When the syrup reaches 240°F, immediately remove the pan from the heat and, with the mixer running, pour the syrup into the egg whites in a very thin stream. Pour the syrup between the side of the bowl and the whisk attachment. Be very careful, this syrup is HOT! You do not want it to hit the whisk attachment and splash you.

Whip It Together

Whip the meringue at high speed until thick and glossy and the bowl is no longer warm on the outside, about 8-12 minutes. The most important thing is that the mixture completely cools down, and when you touch the side of your bowl, you feel no heat. This may take longer for you, or it may happen faster.

Butter Time

With the mixer running, add the room temperature butter, a piece at a time, whipping until each piece is fully incorporated before adding the next. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula occasionally.

Just Beat It

After all the butter has been added, continue to whip the buttercream until it’s thick and smooth, 3 to 5 minutes. Again, this may take longer! Often when adding the butter the mixture appears to deflate and even become soupy. Do not lose hope! Keep whipping! Beat in the vanilla towards the end.

Oreo Crumbs

When your buttercream is light and fluffy, add in your oreo crumbs on low speed or use a rubber spatula to fold them into the buttercream.

Storage

Use immediately or transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or the freezer for up to 2 months.