There is no shame in a shortcut, especially if it is going to help you arrive at a homemade cake or cupcake quickly and easily. Canned frosting is a great way to save you some extra time when it comes to preparing a cake, but there is no denying that a homemade frosting in comparison to canned is always just a little bit more delicious.
Instead of starting from scratch and making a homemade frosting, there are plenty of ways to take a humble can of store bought frosting and turn it into something exquisite and homemade-esque, even though it all started in a can. Whether you want to toy around with the texture of the frosting or the flavor, there are lots of quick ways to turn your canned frosting into a sweet confection that no one would ever guess came from the baking aisle. Here's how.
Whip it good.
What makes a homemade frosting taste homemade is its light, airy, creamy texture. Canned frosting has a tendency to be on the denser side, but the solution to this textural dilemma is simple. Dump your canned frosting into a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer or into the bowl of an electric mixer and whip it up. Without even adding any other ingredients, this will aerate the frosting for a fluffier consistency.
Add a little dairy.
If you want to take it to the next level, fold in some freshly whipped cream (whipped cream from a canister will turn to liquid, so make sure you whip the cream yourself) for an ultra delicate texture. If you want to add a little bit of tanginess and creaminess, whip in some softened cream cheese. You can also whip in a few tablespoons of softened butter to replicate a homemade buttercream frosting. Another advantage of adding any of these dairy products to alter the consistency of the frosting is that they'll also dilute the sweetness of the canned frosting, which has a tendency to be intoxicatingly sweet.
Raid your pantry for flavor boosters.
Other smooth ingredients that you can add to amp up a canned frosting are peanut butter (or any nut butter of your choosing), fruit preserves or jam, nutella, marshmallow creme, cookie butter, or a citrus curd. You'll need anywhere from ½ cup to 1 cup for one (16-ounce) tub of frosting. Add any of these components to your liking, and add a pinch of salt to help bring out their flavors. For a quicker and more concentrated boost of flavor, you can add a teaspoon or two of flavored extracts (vanilla, almond, lemon, peppermint, etc) and syrups (caramel, mocha, coconut, etc). If you're feeling extra daring, throw in a couple tablespoons of booze, such as Kahlua, Grand Marnier, Calvados, Amaretto, or Limoncello. Add a zing of caffeine and sprinkle in a tablespoon or two of instant espresso powder or strongly brewed coffee.
Stir in some crunch.
If you want to play around with mix-ins to add another layer of flavor and texture, there are plenty of sweet additions that you can turn to. In order to avoid making the frosting too dense or tough to spread, whip the frosting first and then gently fold in these mix-in additions. For a (16-ounce) tub of frosting, anywhere from ½ cup to 1 cup of crunchy additions will do the trick. Toasted nuts, coconut flakes, chocolate chips or chunks, halvah, and toffee will all add a fun new dimension of flavor. Stir in chopped up canned pineapple or fresh berries for an extra fruity kick. Toss in a handful of sprinkles for a punch of color. Crush up your favorite candy or if you want to play with salty and sweet flavors, crumble up a handful of pretzels or potato chips. The sky is truly the limit here.
The bottom line is this — just because you're working with a store bought product doesn't mean that your final dish is going to taste like one. With just a little bit of TLC and a stroke of creativity, you can take a basic jar of vanilla or chocolate frosting and turn it into a bakery-ready confection. And the best part is that no one has to know about your clever little short-cut.
- There are countless ways you can improve the texture, consistency, and flavor of canned frosting.
- An easy way to make canned frosting taste homemade is to simply whip it.
- You can also try mix-ins to add flavor, crunch, or color.
It's one thing to bake a cake, cupcakes, or cookies. But it's another thing to make your own frosting. Store-bought frosting can save the day, providing a fast and convenient way to frost a dessert right out of the can.
The problem? Canned frosting can sometimes be too sweet, bland, or the wrong consistency for what you need.
"You can add so many different ingredients to your canned frosting to take it to the next level," says dessert and food blogger Melissa Johnson of Best Friends For Frosting. "Mixing in cream cheese, whipped cream, lemon zest, or even Nutella can make such a difference."
From making frosting creamier or fluffier to changing its flavor, these easy changes will certainly impress anyone you're planning to share your dessert with.
Make it creamier
Many store-bought frosting options lack great body. Mixing in additional ingredients to make the frosting creamier will result in added richness and a more enjoyable mouthfeel with each bite.
Mix in cream cheese: Want extra creamy frosting? Cream cheese is the answer. "Mix in an 8-ounce package of softened cream cheese," says Johnson. "The tartness will also help take away the excess sweetness of store-bought frosting."
Add peanut butter: Mixing in ½ cup of creamy peanut butter, or any nut or seed butter, can help to enhance the consistency of store-bought frosting. Of course, it will add flavor as well. Consider adding it to chocolate or vanilla frosting for a creamy, flavorful twist.
Make it thicker or thinner
Changing the texture of the frosting can help make it easier to decorate certain desserts like cake. Sean Justice/Getty ImagesDepending on what you're using the store-bought frosting for, a thicker or thinner consistency may be necessary. Making the frosting thicker will make it easier to pipe and decorate a cake. A thin, fluffier frosting provides a better match for cupcakes.
Add heavy whipping cream: Johnson suggests making frosting fluffier by mixing in heavy whipping cream 1 tablespoon at a time. "If it gets too runny in the process, add 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar to even it out," she says.
Fold in whipped cream: "Add fresh, homemade whipped cream to your frosting for a richer and airy taste," says Johnson. Mix equal parts frosting to whipped cream, but be sure not to use canned whipped cream. Canned whipped cream is too light and won't hold its shape while mixing. Homemade whipped cream, or even thawed whipping topping, is best.
Thicken it with powdered sugar: Need frosting that can be piped onto a cake? Thicken store-bought frosting by mixing in powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
Whip it until fluffy: To make frosting fluffy, it needs to be aerated. Add the container of frosting into a bowl and use a hand mixer or stand mixer with the whisk attachment to whip it for 3 minutes.
Enhance the flavor
For many, vanilla or chocolate frosting is flavorful enough right out of the container, but it can be improved. Make the frosting's flavor stronger or use it as a base to add other flavorings to create the perfect pairing for a cake.
Play with citrus: Love the flavor of lemon, lime, or orange? "Incorporating grated orange or lemon zest will add a whole new layer of sweet and semi-tart," says Johnson. Stir in 1 tablespoon of citrus zest to enhance the frosting's flavor, which will also help tame the sweetness.
Amp up the chocolate: Choosing chocolate frosting? Johnson suggests kicking the chocolate flavor up a notch by mixing in cocoa powder 1 teaspoon at a time. Another option? Pair chocolate and hazelnut. "Use Nutella or any brand of hazelnut spread to chocolate frosting. Add in 1/2 cup of Nutella and mix well with a hand mixer for a great way to spruce up the flavor," she says.
Add flavored syrups: "You know those flavored syrups from the grocery store? They're not just for snow cones and lattes," says Johnson. Mix in 1 teaspoon of a flavored syrup such as cherry, raspberry, or toffee nut to add extra flavor.
Use extracts: Mixing in extracts is one of the easiest and best ways to enhance flavor. Mix in options such as pure vanilla extract, pure almond extract, or pure peppermint extract. Use a spatula or hand mixer to mix in the extract 1 teaspoon at a time.
Make it colorful
You can add color to frosting with gel food coloring, or use freeze-dried fruit or jam. Tim Young Photography/Getty ImagesVanilla store-bought frosting will be white right out of the can. Utilizing other ingredients to tint the frosting will make a dessert vibrant and fun.
Use gel food coloring: Using colored frosting is one of the simplest ways to spruce up a cake or cupcakes. Start with two drops of gel food coloring and stir, then continue to add in food coloring one drop at a time until the desired color is achieved. Liquid food coloring tends to change the texture of the frosting, but gel food coloring will help to hold its shape.
Use freeze-dried fruit powder: Add color and flavor by introducing ground freeze-dried raspberries or strawberries. Start with a teaspoon or two, then adjust to your taste since some brands are more potent than others.
Jams or preserves: To create a light pastel hue and add a touch of flavor, add in fruit jams or preserves. Mix in a thick jam 1 tablespoon at a time until you've reached the desired color or taste.
Stir in crunch and texture
To create a truly unique dessert, adding texture is a great option. Make store-bought frosting more interesting with crunch in every bite.
Mix in crushed nuts: Stir in ½ cup to 1 cup of toasted and finely chopped peanuts, pecans, or walnuts to add a nutty crunch.
Add colorful sprinkles: For a confetti frosting, rainbow sprinkles will do the trick. Stir in ¼ to ½ cup of rainbow jimmies or rainbow nonpareils for a festive party cake.
Stir in shredded coconut: Shredded coconut can add great texture and just a hint of flavor to vanilla frosting. Stir in ½ cup to 1 cup.
Make it less sweet
Store-bought frosting can be incredibly sweet, but it doesn't have to stay that way. A savory or tart ingredient mixed in can help to reduce sweetness.
Add salt: Curb the sweetness of store-bought frosting, starting with an ⅛ teaspoon of salt. Use a spatula to stir in the salt or whip the frosting with a hand mixer and add more for an even saltier bite
Use a drop of lemon juice: Mixing in a drop of lemon juice will tame the sweetness of store-bought frosting, and such a small amount won't change its flavor. Stir it in with a spatula or whip the frosting with a hand mixer.
Insider's takeaway
Store-bought frosting can be a convenient option when topping and decorating a cake, cupcakes, or even cookies in a pinch. Store-bought frosting can be enhanced with a variety of mix-ins to amp up the creaminess or change its consistency, texture, flavor, and color.
Molly Allen is a former bakery owner and event planner. Now, a freelance writer and editor covering food and beverage, lifestyle, travel, and parties, she brings her years of experience and industry knowledge to readers across a variety of platforms. Her work has appeared in Taste of Home, Brides, Cidercraft Magazine, among others. Follow her on Instagram @mollyallenmedia.
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