5 egg whites
1 cup granulated – Not Powdered! – sugar
3 sticks unsalted butter
1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract
1-2 packets Oregon instant Chai powder

Mix egg whites and sugar in a *clean* metal mixing bowl, and place over a pot of simmering water on your stovetop. Whisk occasionally until it hits 160 degrees.

Move egg mixture to your stand mixer and whip on high (using the whisk attachment) until stiff peaks form, and mxture is relatively cool. While waiting, cut up the butter into chunks. Set aside.

Empty 1 chai packet into a small bowl, and add 1-2 Tbsp hot water. Stir until no longer gritty. Set aside.

When Meringue has reached the stiff peaks stage, switch to low speed and add the butter a chunk at a time. Add vanilla and Chai paste.

Once vanilla, chai paste, and butter is incorporated into the mix, turn speed back up to high and whip until you have a smooth buttercream. It will go through some weird stages before this point – soupy, maybe curdled. Don’t worry! It will come together!

Taste your frosting, and add more Chai powder (again, make it a paste first!) if desired.

Also known as “country buttercream”, and “decorator’s buttercream”, this sweet and thick frosting is a cheaper and easier alternative to real buttercream.

1 cup butter, softened
2 lbs Icing (powdered) sugar
1 tbsp Pure Vanilla Extract (or other flavor)
1/4 cup Milk

Whip butter until smooth. Add Vanilla and mix until incorporated.

Slowly add powdered sugar a bit at a time, until incorporated completely. Beat on high for 1 minute – mixture will be very, very thick.

Lower mixer speed to lowest setting, and slowly add 1/2 of the milk. Once incorporated, check for consistency. Add more milk or sugar to achieve the consistency you want or need.