How to Make Frosting from Scratch

Delicious, delicate, decadent frosting is what completes a cake! After all, it not only makes the cake look yummier, but also makes it taste yummier! That smooth, creamy, flavorful frosting is sure to win anybody's heart. Most people avoid putting frosting on homemade cakes, because they feel frosting is a lot of added work. However, if you took the trouble to bake that cake, making the frosting is no big deal! All you need is some butter and sugar, and you are good to go! Moreover, no unwanted additives!

There are a number of recipes with which you can make smooth, creamy, rich, and delicious frosting. You can bring about a lot of variations in homemade frosting as well. Some of the changes you can make include adding colors of your choice, and adding fruit, candy or nuts for different textures and flavors. You may also choose to add flavor oils, which can also lend a completely different flavor to the frosting.

How to Make Frosting from Scratch

Making frosting from scratch is not that difficult, and after perusing through these recipes, you will find out how simple it is! We've included various kinds of frosting recipes, with different ingredients. The standard ingredients are unsalted butter and powdered sugar. Then depending on personal preference, you can include the other ingredients.

Classic Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
4 cups powdered sugar
4 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Preparation Procedure
Soften the butter and place in a large bowl.
Using an electric mixer, whisk the butter till it attains a creamy texture.
Then add the powdered sugar, little at a time. Keep whisking and then add vanilla extract.
Next, add one tbsp. of milk and whisk till desired consistency is obtained. You can also add a pinch of salt during the mixing phase.
Depending on your flavor preference, you can convert this class buttercream frosting recipe into a customized one, by adding a different essence, cocoa powder, etc.

Buttercream Frosting with Buttermilk
Ingredients
3 cups powdered sugar
1 cup unsalted butter
3-4 tbsp. buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Preparation Procedure
Using an electric mixer, whisk one cup of unsalted butter, until it attains a creamy texture.
Add the powdered sugar a little at a time, and continue mixing. Then add vanilla extract.
Add buttermilk one spoon at a time and continue mixing at medium speed.
Instead of buttermilk, you can also add heavy cream.

Swiss Meringue Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
5 egg whites
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup unsalted butter
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Preparation Procedure
In a double boiler, whisk the egg whites and powdered sugar, till the sugar dissolves completely. The egg white mixture should be warm to touch.
Transfer this hot egg white and sugar mixture to a bowl and whisk using an electric mixer. Keep whisking till you get nice and stiff peaks, which should be done in about 4 to 7 minutes. The prepared meringue should not move in the bowl.
Now it's time to slowly add the butter (room temperature), piece by piece. Keep mixing between additions. Then add vanilla extract and continue mixing at medium speed, using the paddle attachment, until a smooth creamy texture is obtained.
Your Swiss meringue buttercream frosting is ready!

Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
8 ounces cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
^th cup unsalted butter
tsp. vanilla extract

In an electric mixer, whisk cream cheese and butter together. Unlike butter, cream cheese does not require to be softened before use.
Once the cream cheese and butter is creamy, add vanilla extract and whisk again.
Then add powdered sugar, little at a time and continue whisking till a smooth, creamy frosting consistency is obtained.

Vegan Frosting
Ingredients
1 cup powdered sugar
cup vegan butter
4-7 tbsp. soy milk/almond milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Preparation Procedure
Whisk the vegan butter until it becomes creamy.
Next add in the powdered sugar, a little at a time. Add the soy or almond milk, one tbsp. at a time.
Keep whisking till the desired consistency is obtained.
Instead of vegan butter, you can also use vegan cream cheese.

Whipped Cream Frosting
Ingredients
cup heavy cream
2 tbsp. piping gel
1 tbsp. powdered sugar
tsp. vanilla extract

Preparation Procedure
Whisk the heavy cream in the electric blender.
Add powdered sugar to it and whip till peaks are formed.
Next, add the vanilla extract and piping gel. Whisk till peaks are obtained.

Quick Tips for a better Frosting
Always sift powdered sugar before adding it into the recipe, as this will minimize sugar lump formation, when the sugar is mixed into the butter. Use a metal strainer to sift the sugar.

Before you begin preparing the frosting, make sure the butter has reached room temperature. This will help it to combine well with the sugar.

To know if the butter is right for the frosting, its consistency should be such that it can be easily scooped like ice-cream, yet not too soft.

Never use melted butter. It will only ruin the texture of your frosting, by making it too thin for spreading.

Avoid using salted butter, instead use only unsalted butter.

Always add the powdered sugar one spoon at a time. Never add the whole quantity all at once. Moreover, never add too much powdered sugar, because it can give a grainy texture.

While mixing the frosting, keep scraping the frosting from the sides of the mixing bowl.

Over-mixing can result in dense frosting, so be careful not to over-mix.

If your frosting isn't creamy, but powdery and grainy, try adding 1-2 tbsp. of milk to the recipe, adding one spoon at a time. Same goes for thick frosting.

If the frosting has curdled or is soupy, just continue whisking it for a few more minutes.

Too much or too little frosting should be avoided.

If you have leftover buttercream, store the remaining in plastic containers and freeze it. It's best before 3 months from storage. However, at the time of use, you will need to defreeze and rewhip it, to get back the consistency.
Even if the first try is not a success, don't get disappointed. Practice is what you need to master the art of preparing frosting. Once you get the hang of it, it will simply have no limits. So keep practicing!