Master Instructions1. Beat butter in bowl of electric mixer at medium-high speed until fluffy, about 1 minute. Add remaining ingredients and beat at low speed until sugar is moistened, about 45 seconds.
2. Increase speed to medium (or high if using handheld mixer); beat, scraping down sides of bowl as needed, until creamy and fluffy, about 11/2 minutes. Avoid overbeating, or frosting will become too soft. (Frosting may be covered and kept at room temperature for several hours or refrigerated in airtight container for several days. Bring to room temperature before using.)
VARIATIONS:
Orange Decorating Frosting
Follow master recipe, replacing vanilla and lemon juice with 4 tablespoons orange liqueur and 2 tablespoons grated orange zest.
Lemon Decorating Frosting
Follow master recipe, replacing vanilla with 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest and increasing lemon juice to 2 tablespoons.
Almond Decorating Frosting
Follow master recipe, reducing vanilla to 11/2 teaspoons and adding 1 tablespoon each almond extract and almond liqueur. Omit lemon juice.
Coffee Decorating Frosting
Follow master recipe, stirring 2 tablespoons instant espresso and 2 tablespoons coffee liqueur into 1 tablespoon vanilla until coffee dissolves. Omit lemon juice.
Chocolate Decorating Frosting
Follow master recipe, reducing vanilla to 11/2 tablespoons and omitting lemon juice. When frosting is fluffy, beat in 6 ounces melted and cooled bittersweet chocolate.