The Well Dressed Cake Swiss Meringue Buttercream with variations

Instructions

1. Place the egg whites and the sugar in a clean mixer bowl, and place it over a pot of simmering water, whisking occasionally until it registers 160 degrees.
2. Put it on the stand mixer and whip it with the whisk on medium high until it is reaches the stiff peak stage.
3. While the meringue is beating, cut up the butter into tbsp sized pieces.
4. When meringue is ready, switch to the paddle attachment, turn on low, and slowly add the butter.
5. Add vanilla.
6. Turn on medium high and let it rip until you have a lovely silky buttercream. You will hear a slapping sound when itâ??s ready.
7. I will preface this by saying that I normally do this to taste so amounts are approximate. You may find it takes more or a little less to achieve the desired effect. You want to be sure that you don't add too much so add them slowly and taste.
8. To make berry BC add about 1/3 cup of sweetened seedless berry puree at the very end.
9. To make chocolate add about 1/3 cup of melted chocolate (I like semi-sweet) that has been cooled but still pourable at the very end. If it was too warm and the BC melts down a bit.. just let it keep beating and it will come back together.
10. To make a lemon or orange or lime flavored BC add 1/3 cup of a citrus curd (and a little zest if you want that extra punch) at the very end.
11. To make a peppermint version add 1/2 tsp peppermint extract and 1/4 cup of crushed peppermint candies. (great in a chocolate cake!)
12. The options are endless. Just have fun! It's like the military.. don't ask.. don't tell.. ;)