Buttercream is that thick, decadently delicious icing that tops classic afternoon treats like marbled Victoria sponge cake with chocolate buttercream just as beautifully as it does cute-as-a-button kids' cakes like this piggy bank cake.

And it's easy to make too; grab the ingredients - amounts according to your recipe - and follow our step-by-step.

Step 1: Place butter in an electric mixer and beat until as white as possible – this can take up to three minutes.

Step 2: Add half the icing sugar and continue to beat, while gradually adding the milk. Then add the remaining icing sugar and beat until well combined.

Step 3: To colour your buttercream, simply stir in a couple of drops at a time until you get the desired colour.

Happy decorating!