Ultimate Ermine Frosting

Are you ready to elevate your cake game? If you’re craving a frosting that’s rich, creamy, and incredibly smooth but not as sweet as traditional buttercream, then you’ve got to try Ultimate Ermine Frosting. This frosting is everything—silky, light, and with just the right amount of sweetness. It’s made with simple ingredients but brings a complexity that you won’t believe until you taste it. Trust me, once you try this frosting, you might never go back to regular buttercream again. It’s the perfect finishing touch for cakes, cupcakes, or even cookies.

Why You’ll Love Ultimate Ermine Frosting

Light & Silky Smooth

This frosting is a dream to work with. It’s so smooth and creamy that it glides on effortlessly, leaving a beautiful, flawless finish on your cakes and cupcakes.

Not Overly Sweet

Unlike traditional buttercream, which can sometimes be overwhelmingly sweet, Ermine frosting has a subtle sweetness that balances beautifully with the cake. It’s perfect for those who prefer a less sugary taste.

Versatile & Customizable

It pairs wonderfully with a wide range of flavors. Whether you’re baking a chocolate cake, vanilla sponge, or even a carrot cake, this frosting complements all of them. You can also infuse it with different flavors like vanilla, almond, or even coffee.

Old-Fashioned Goodness

This frosting is an old-fashioned recipe, and it’s been loved for generations. It’s classic, timeless, and still holds up as one of the best frostings out there. You’re going to love the nostalgia it brings.

No Crusting

If you’re into decorating cakes and cupcakes, this frosting is a dream. It doesn’t crust over like buttercream, which means you can easily smooth and shape it as you like.

Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this creamy, dreamy frosting:

For the Ermine Frosting:

• Milk: Full-fat milk works best for a creamy texture, but you can use 2% if that’s what you have.
• All-Purpose Flour: This is what thickens the frosting and gives it its signature smooth consistency.
• Granulated Sugar: For the right amount of sweetness that isn’t overwhelming.
• Unsalted Butter: A rich, creamy base for the frosting. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
• Vanilla Extract: The perfect flavor boost that complements the frosting’s richness.

(Note: The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

Nutrition Facts

Here’s an estimate of the nutrition per serving (based on 12 servings):

• Calories: 210
• Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
• Carbohydrates: 26g
  • Sugars: 15g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 30mg
• Sodium: 60mg
• Potassium: 60mg
• Calcium: 6% DV
• Iron: 1% DV

This frosting is rich and creamy, but with a controlled amount of sweetness and fat. Perfect for adding to your favorite treats without feeling too indulgent.

Preparation Time

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Cooling Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes

Instructions

Making Ultimate Ermine Frosting is easy once you know the steps. Here’s how you’ll get that silky smooth frosting:

Step 1: Make the Flour Mixture

In a small saucepan, combine the milk and flour over medium heat. Whisk constantly until the mixture thickens to the consistency of a pudding or custard. This will take about 5-7 minutes. Make sure to keep whisking to avoid lumps. Once thickened, remove from the heat and allow it to cool completely. This step is key to getting the smooth texture of the frosting.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

While the flour mixture is cooling, cream together the butter and sugar in a stand mixer or with a hand mixer. Beat on medium speed for about 3-4 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This will ensure the frosting is airy and smooth.

Step 3: Add the Flour Mixture

Once the flour mixture has cooled completely (you can speed up the cooling process by placing it in the fridge for 15 minutes), add it to the butter mixture, a little bit at a time. Beat until fully incorporated. The frosting will look a bit strange at first, but don’t worry! It will smooth out as you continue mixing.

Step 4: Add the Vanilla

Once the mixture is smooth, add the vanilla extract and beat for an additional 2 minutes until the frosting is fluffy and light.

Step 5: Frost Your Cake

Once your frosting is ready, use it to frost your cake, cupcakes, or cookies. It’s ready to spread right away, and it will hold its shape beautifully, whether you’re spreading it with a spatula or piping it onto cupcakes.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Admire your beautiful, smooth frosting and serve it up! This frosting holds up wonderfully at room temperature and is perfect for both casual and fancy baked goods.

How to Serve Ultimate Ermine Frosting

On Cakes

This frosting is fantastic on just about any cake, but it’s especially great on light, airy cakes like vanilla, sponge, or white cake. It’s also delicious on chocolate cakes when paired with a rich, dark chocolate filling.

On Cupcakes

Pipe this frosting onto cupcakes for a beautifully smooth finish. It’s perfect for cupcake decorating, as it holds its shape but is still soft enough to bite into.

On Cookies

Try spreading a little of this frosting on sugar cookies or shortbread cookies for a silky, decadent treat. You can even pair it with fruit-based cookies like lemon or raspberry for a unique twist.

With Fresh Fruit

If you’re looking to lighten up the sweetness, serve this frosting with fresh fruit like strawberries, raspberries, or peaches. The fruit’s natural sweetness pairs beautifully with the frosting’s smooth, creamy texture.

Additional Tips

Make it Lighter

If you prefer a lighter frosting, you can add a little more milk to thin it out. Just be careful not to make it too runny.

Add Flavors

Feel free to get creative with your frosting! Add some almond extract, lemon zest, or even cocoa powder to flavor it to your liking.

Don’t Skip the Cooling Step

Make sure the flour mixture is fully cooled before adding it to the butter mixture. If it’s too warm, the frosting may break or become too thin. Patience is key for achieving that perfect, creamy texture!

Make it Ahead

Ermine frosting can be made in advance! Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just make sure to bring it to room temperature and re-whip it before using to restore its fluffy texture.

FAQ Section

Q1: Can I use this frosting on cakes with fondant?
A1: Absolutely! Ermine frosting is a great base for fondant. Since it’s not as sweet as buttercream, it provides a nice contrast to the sweetness of fondant.

Q2: Can I use this frosting for piping decorations?
A2: Yes, you can! While it’s not as stiff as buttercream, it pipes beautifully for decorative rosettes, borders, and flowers. Just keep it in the fridge for a little while if you want it to be a bit firmer for piping.

Q3: What can I do if my frosting is too thin?
A3: If your frosting is too thin, you can add more softened butter or a little powdered sugar to thicken it up. Make sure it’s fully mixed before adding more.

Q4: Can I make this frosting dairy-free?
A4: Yes, you can substitute the milk with almond milk or coconut milk and use vegan butter in place of the regular butter. It will still be smooth and creamy!

Q5: How long will this frosting last at room temperature?
A5: Ermine frosting will last for a couple of days at room temperature, but it’s best to store leftovers in the fridge. Bring it back to room temperature and re-whip it before using again.

Q6: Can I freeze this frosting?
A6: Yes! Ermine frosting freezes well. Store it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. To use, thaw it overnight in the fridge and re-whip it to restore its fluffy texture.

Q7: How do I store leftovers?
A7: Store leftover frosting in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Be sure to bring it back to room temperature before using.

Q8: Can I make this frosting without vanilla extract?
A8: Yes! If you’re out of vanilla extract, you can substitute it with almond extract or even a bit of citrus zest for a fresh, different flavor.

Q9: Can I use this frosting on a tiered cake?
A9: Yes! Ermine frosting is stable enough for tiered cakes, but you may want to use a slightly thicker version if you need extra support for the layers.

Q10: Can I make this frosting with a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer?
A10: Definitely! A hand mixer will work just fine for this recipe. Just make sure you beat it long enough to achieve the fluffy consistency.

Conclusion

The Ultimate Ermine Frosting is truly a gem in the world of frostings. With its smooth, silky texture and perfectly balanced sweetness, it’s the ideal choice for any cake or dessert that needs a little something extra. Whether you’re frosting a classic vanilla cake, decorating cupcakes, or spreading it on cookies, this frosting will always impress. So next time you’re in the kitchen, try this frosting—you’ll be hooked!

Print