Silky Vanilla Butter Frosting

"This is not your usual butter-cream made with powdered sugar. Butter is beaten into a flour-thickened base to make an exquisitely light and creamy frosting. Not overly sweet like those made with powdered sugar, but sweet enough to be the perfect compliment for a cake. Make sure the base is completely cooled before beating in the butter. I added in 15 minutes cooling time, but it will vary depending on conditions."
 
Download
photo by Oliver  Fischers Mo photo by Oliver  Fischers Mo
photo by Oliver Fischers Mo
photo by Oliver  Fischers Mo photo by Oliver  Fischers Mo
photo by Oliver  Fischers Mo photo by Oliver  Fischers Mo
photo by ChefLee photo by ChefLee
photo by ChefLee photo by ChefLee
Ready In:
33mins
Ingredients:
5
Yields:
3.25 cups
Serves:
10
Advertisement

ingredients

Advertisement

directions

  • In 2-quart saucepan, thoroughly combine sugar and flour.
  • With wire whisk, gradually stir in milk until smooth.
  • Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until mixture has thickened and boils.
  • Reduce heat to low; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
  • Remove from heat and cool completely.
  • In medium bowl, with mixer at medium speed, beat butter until light and fluffy.
  • Gradually beat in milk mixture; beat in vanilla.

Questions & Replies

Got a question? Share it with the community!
Advertisement

Reviews

  1. I'm sorry to say that I didn't really care for this frosting. I too, used it to frost a dark chocolate cake. It was easy to make, but to us, the taste of the flour came through, more than the vanilla. The idea is a great one--less sweet frosting is what really appealed to me, though I think that using flour may not be the way to go.
     
  2. We loved this frosting! Followed the recipe as posted & it was so simple to make. Made sure to boil the mixture for a good 2 minutes; that really thickens it & also eliminates the flour taste. It took a good 1/2 hr to cool. With an electric hand mixer, slowly incorporated the milk mixture into the whipped butter. Like others, I baked Lennie's Deep Dark Chocolate Cake (oh Lennie, this cake deserves to be in the hall of fame) & the frosting was so well suited to this cake. Had to wait an entire day to rate these recipes because I wanted to see if the frosting & cake was as good straight out of the fridge. The cake & the frosting were even better cold! If you find frosting with powder sugar a bit too sweet, I highly recommend using this vanilla butter frosting.
     
  3. I hearby swear that I will NEVER use another vanilla frosting! This was too good to be true! It is absolutely silken in texture, not gritty or teeth aching sweet! I have been searching forever for a frosting like this...Sharlene, I am forever in your debt. Thank you, thank you, thank you! This is fab on chocolate cake, but I think DH wanted to lick the bowl clean, so I think it would be great on anything!
     
  4. I was making Lennie's Deep Dark Chocolate Cake, and saw Anu's post that she had used this to frost it, so followed her lead. I'm glad I did. The frosting was simple to make. Its light texture, and just-right-sweetness was a perfect contrast to the ultra-black richness of the cake. Thanks, has gone into the recipe file!
     
  5. Fabulous and really easy! I used only 3/4 cup butter, but didn't change anything else. The vanilla flavour is strong and marvellous! I used this to frost Lennie's Deep Dark Chocolate Cake (#12488).
     
Advertisement

Tweaks

  1. YUMMY!!! I loved this frosting!! It was creamy and silky and so delicious. I frosted chocolate cupcakes but I substituted coconut extract for the vanilla and topped them with toasted flaked coconut. It was a hit!!
     

RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

I live in the San Francisco area and love it here. I discovered Recipezaar (then Food.com..Genius Kitchen) in 2001 and have been so happy to have my favorite recipes stored safely here. I am mother to 7 and grandmother to 7. I love to knit, smock, sew, etc., but my favorite hobby of the moment is traditional rug hooking. This is a sample of what I do.? It's called "November".? I dyed most of the wool myself. It is made from wool flannel, cut into strips a little less than 1/4" and then worked into a linen backing. This is my 3rd rug.
 
View Full Profile
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Find More Recipes