Less sweet buttercream needed.

[marmitedoughnut]

I want to fill and ice a two layer walnut cake but we want the filling to be not too sweet/sickly.

What is the minimum butter/sugar ratio for buttercream please? Are there any other alternatives such as condensed milk buttercream or using cream cheese etc.

[slipperywhensparticus]

Cream cheese and icing sugar grate some orange rind in

[AvaTheGardener]

Italian Buttercream might be what you're looking for. Faffy but delicious. Or you could try the cooked frosting method, where you beat butter into a cooled paste of cooked flour, sugar and water?

[reallybadidea]

The icing from this recipe is really nice www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2528636/coffee-and-walnut-cake

It's a mascarpone icing, very delicious, not too sweet. Not keen on the cake recipe itself though.

[SoupDragon]

I just make buttercream by adding icing sugar to butter until it tastes how I want it to.

[PeterPiperPickedWrong]

I just make buttercream by adding icing sugar to butter until it tastes how I want it to.

me too.

[BlingLoving]

BBC Goodfood has a buttercream version with melted chocolate: www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/chocolate-buttercream

I did this last time using half dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate and it was less sweet. Next time I plan to reduce some of the sugar.

[they say 12 cupcakes. Hahahahahahaha. If you want more frosting to cupcake. I made half of this recipe and STILL had leftovers.]

[I am conscious that a chocolate buttercream icing probably isn't want you were looking for, but was taking the gap to mention it!]

[marmitedoughnut]

Thanks all. I think I might give this one a go.

[Falafel19]

Italian or Swiss Meringue Buttercream are far nicer than standard buttercream and not half as sickly sweet.

[PoohBearsHole]

A really nice buttercream can be made with Greek yoghurt - less butter and the sharp to sweet ratio is delicious x