Here's a secret: My favorite part of a cupcake is the buttercream on top. Of course, I like a good ratio of cake to frosting (after all, the crumb balances out the sweetness), but it's the icing that I'm really after.

My buttercream go-to is Church of Cupcakes, which up until nine months ago was named Lovely Confections. Despite the name change, owner Porche Lovely continues to whip up the same fluffy, pure-tasting frosting that she's been making for more than five years. We asked her how she does it—and blogger/photographer Rachel Nobrega captured Lovely making a batch of raspberry buttercream on film. (I love that Lovely is only somewhat precise in her measurements—and that she isn't afraid to make a mess.)

How To Make Buttercream from 5280 on Vimeo.

Follow food editor Amanda M. Faison on Twitter (@5280Eats), Facebook, and Pinterest.

THIS STORY WAS PART OF 5280's 20 DAYS OF GIVEAWAYS!

Additional comments do not enter you into the giveaway, which ended March 26, 2013.