Icing on the cake is a very popular idiom that we regularly use. It means making something even better. Nothing else can explain the importance of icing better than the idiom itself. Frosting or icing is a sugar-based soft mixture which is used to decorate and add flavour to cakes, cookies, cupcakes and pastries. Apart from adding flavour and improving the texture, frosting also acts as a protective coat that seals the moisture and flavour, keeping it fresh for a longer period.
Frosting was introduced in the seventeenth century, with powdered sugar, eggs and rose water. After applying the icing, they used to harden it in the oven. The most popular types of frosting are ganache, buttercream, royal icing, cream cheese and fondant. But whenever it comes to baking cakes or cupcakes at home, we often ignore frosting thinking it's a complicated task.
So, here are five easy frosting recipes that you use to decorate your homemade cakes and cookies:
1. Vanilla Frosting
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 4 tsp salt
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tsp heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Method:
- Beat butter with an electric mixer until creamy then sprinkle salt over butter and stir to combine.
- Add about half cup powdered sugar and heavy cream and mix well.
- Add vanilla extract and stir well.
- Then spread frosting over your cooled cakes or cupcakes and top with sprinkles.
2. Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsalted butter (at room temperature)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp milk
- 3 drops food colour
Method:
- Add butter, sugar, vanilla extract to the bowl and beat until the ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Then add milk and beat again for three to four minutes.
- Add food colouring and beat for thirty seconds until it becomes smooth and your buttercream frosting is ready for decorating your cupcake.
3. Chocolate Frosting
Ingredients:
- ½ cup butter (salted)
- ¾ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 5 cups powdered sugar
Method:
- Place butter into a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Cook and stir until melted then add cocoa powder.
- Whisk until it becomes smooth then remove from heat and transfer to a medium-large mixing bowl.
- Let chocolate cool in room temperature for ten minutes.
- Then add milk, vanilla extract and powdered sugar and decorate your cupcakes.
4. Peanut Butter Frosting
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp milk
Method:
- Add butter and peanut butter in a large bowl and mix properly with a hand or electric mixer until creamy and well-combined.
- Gradually add one-third cup powdered sugar and mix again until completely combined.
- Then stir in vanilla extract and salt.
- Add milk and stir until they are properly combined.
- Now frost your completely cooled cake.
5. Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients:
- ½ cup butter (at room temperature)
- 250 gm cream cheese
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Method:
- Beat the cream cheese and butter together until completely smooth.
- Beat in the vanilla extract then slowly add in two cups of powdered sugar and beat again until it's creamy smooth.
- Use a blunt knife to spread the frosting in your cake.
Decorate your cakes using these homemade frosting recipes and surprise your family with your baking skills.
Note: These frostings can be consumed for two days at room temperature and if refrigerated in an airtight container they will be fine for about a week.