Best Buttercream Icing / Frosting

Buttercream is a very versatile icing. This one is not cloyingly sweet, so it goes with just about any cake. Tinted, it also makes excellent cupcake frosting. Try it on the Classic Red Velvet Cake (find the recipe in the recipe list at the left) if you aren't fond of the traditional Cream Cheese Frosting or if you just want a change.

Best Buttercream
2 c. milk
3/8 c. all-purpose flour (1/4 c. plus 1/8 c.)
4 sticks butter, cold (it really needs to be butter rather than something else)
2 c. sugar
2 t. pure vanilla extract

Combine the milk and flour in a saucepan, using a whisk. Stirring constantly, cook over medium-high heat until the mixture is smooth and thick (12-18 minutes). Remove from heat and allow to cool for 1 hour. During cooling, a skin will form. Remove that. Cream the butter and sugar together and beat until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and mix well. Mix in the cooled milk mixture in batches, beating well after each addition.