I've been frustrated lately by air bubbles in my BC during the mixing stage.  I don't want to make a very large recipe that covers the mixing paddle though.  Is there a way to make a smaller batch of BC without the air bubbles getting in?

Thanks so much!!

I make the American style butter cream, notorious for air bubbles, but I have found that stirring with a rubber spatula helps to work those bubbles out. You won't get all of them, but you'll smooth it out enough. 

Buy your self a small, inexpensive stand mixer with a small bowl....double beater mixers do an excellent job smoothing out icing.  I make mine in bulk in the big mixer, but remix small batches as need in my Sunbeam Mixmaster stand mixer and it comes out as smooth as silk!

Buy your self a small, inexpensive stand mixer with a small bowl....double beater mixers do an excellent job smoothing out icing.  I make mine in bulk in the big mixer, but remix small batches as need in my Sunbeam Mixmaster stand mixer and it comes out as smooth as silk!

Thanks for the replies, I stick to the American BC because I can't eat eggs.

Also, will a hand mixer do the same job as the Sunbeam mixmaster?

Thanks!

On the rare occasion that I mix up a small batch of buttercream, I throw it in the food processor for a couple of minutes. I'm not sure it would be worth all the extra dirty dishes for you, but it does make it suuuuper smooth.