Small Batch Icing- to Write on Cakes

Submitted by Realtor by day, Chef by night

"Sometimes you just need a small amount of icing to write on a cake or cookies. I don't like buying those ready made tubes because they're so expensive for such a small amount of icing. They don't taste that good either. Here's the recipe I use when I just need a small batch. You can tint it any color you want by adding food coloring. The paste coloring is best but the drops will work fine, too."

 

• Ready In: 11mins
• Ingredients: 4
• Yields: 1.25 cups
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 236.59 ml confectioners' sugar
• 59.14 ml shortening
• 7.39 ml water
• 1.23 ml clear vanilla extract

directions

1. In a large bowl, combine sugar, shortening, water and vanilla. Beat on low speed to combine, then beat on medium speed for a full five minutes. It won't look like Icing at first, but keep the mixer going for a full five minutes, and then you're done!
2. Note: If you're not using this for decorating, but just for icing the cake, thin the icing by adding 3 tbs. of corn syrup, or water to the icing.

Reviews

[wluckeroth]

This recipe is just what I needed to finish a chocolate cake that a friend wanted to celebrate his birthday. I baked a three layer chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, pulverized walnuts and unsweetened coconut between the layers and on top. I like these ingredients and prefer orange extract instead of vanilla because chocolate and orange are a perfect combination in my opinion. I needed a recipe for a small amount of frosting to write Happy Birthday and his name on top of the cake. I substituted orange extract for the vanilla extract in the recipe, and added a little tumeric, clementina zest, and maraschino cherry juice to give it a nice orange color. I wanted to make it a bit sweeter so I added a packet of stevia and a packet of orange drink mix, which turned out the way I hoped it would--nice. I think everyone (especially the birthday boy) will be pleased. I circled the cake with semi-sweet chocolate chips to trim the cake and emphasize the chocolate that he requested.

 

[Surendran N.]

It came out nice. But immediately lost the consistency and almost runny....I could pipe it by 03 no.nozzle/tip but letters either too bulky or no finishing. I used white unsalted butter. The leftover in the refrigerator.... Could you pl advice to modify.... I put all ingredients including conrn syrup together and made as advised by you..... Thanks

 

[YummySmellsca]

Had to add about 1 tbsp extra water but overall a great, simple recipe. Best used immediately, keep the leftovers tightly wrapped or they'll dry out.

 

[angie l.]

It was great. My son cake looked awesome. Thanks

 

[Dotti Kunnap]

Horrible taste and horrible to pipe!!!