Q&A for How to Make Frosting

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  • Question
    Do I have to add vanilla extract?
    Qamar
    Top Answerer
    No, vanilla extract only adds flavor. You can consider adding a different extract such as almond or you can leave it out completely.
  • Question
    What can I use in place of the confectioner's sugar? Can I use regular sugar without boiling the water?
    Community Answer
    If you have a blender, you can blend granulated sugar and cornstarch into a powder to make confectioner's sugar. Google recipes for homemade confectioner's sugar for exact measurements or ratios.
  • Question
    What will happen if I overcook the icing? Will it still be edible?
    Community Answer
    Technically, it will still be edible, but it may not taste very good or spread very well. You may be able to use it as a sort of caramel, but if it is too scorched, it might be better to start over.
  • Question
    Do I have to use confectioner's (powdered) sugar?
    Community Answer
    Yes, because granulated or superfine sugar are not fine or refined enough to form the paste-like consistency that the confectioner's sugar develops.
  • Question
    Can I use different a different type of sugar than powdered sugar?
    Community Answer
    That depends on what type of baking product you are making. If making cake, brownies, or cookies, you can use regular table sugar or brown sugar (keep in mind taste and colour might be different due to the molasses in brown sugar.) When making frosting, if you're not boiling the sugar then always use powdered sugar or as others may call it, confectioner's sugar and icing sugar.
  • Question
    Do I have to place the frosting in the refrigerator?
    Qamar
    Top Answerer
    Yes, frosting is best stored in the fridge so it can chill.
  • Question
    If I use the fluffy frosting technique, will it be safe to eat the egg in there?
    Community Answer
    Yes it will, but avoid giving it to babies or elderly persons, as their immune systems are not strong enough to handle the raw egg.
  • Question
    How do you know what quantity you need to cover the entire cake?
    Community Answer
    You'll need around 1 1/2 cups of frosting for the top of a cake. If want to put it around the entire cake, you may need at least 4 cups of frosting.
  • Question
    Can I substitute the butter with something else?
    Community Answer
    You can use margarine, look for one with low trans fatty acids.
  • Question
    Can you make icing without confectioner's sugar?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but only if you're boiling the sugar with water to dissolve the granules leaving only the taste of sugar, therefore making a syrup.
  • Question
    Can you do it without using the whipping cream? Maybe using milk instead?
    Community Answer
    Yes you can, but it may not be as flavorful or fluffy.
  • Question
    Can I make the icing a little runnier?
    Qamar
    Top Answerer
    Yes. Add an extra tablespoon of milk to make the icing runny.
  • Question
    Do I have to use marshmallows in marshmallow frosting?
    Qamar
    Top Answerer
    Yes, you do.
  • Question
    Which icing is best for decorating a cookie?
    Qamar
    Top Answerer
    The powdered sugar recipe is best since it's light and delicate to top on.
  • Question
    While making butter frosting, should I use normal butter or unsalted butter?
    Community Answer
    Unsalted butter is preferred. If it is not available, salted butter will work.
  • Question
    Can I add lemon juice and vanilla extract?
    Melayna Ma
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can. In place of almond extract, or in the case you don't have any extracts, either of those will work.
  • Question
    Can I make chocolate frosting using semi sweet chocolate chips?
    Community Answer
    Sure, just melt it and add powdered sugar if you'd like to make it sweeter.
  • Question
    Do I have to use mini marshmallows for method seven?
    Community Answer
    No––any size will do but if you use more, or larger marshmallows, then you are going to need more whipped cream.
  • Question
    Where can food coloring be purchased?
    Community Answer
    At your local grocery or crafts store.
  • Question
    Can I make icing sugar out of butter and normal sugar?
    Qamar
    Top Answerer
    No, that's not how you make icing sugar. Icing sugar is a special sugar that is finely ground to make it powdered.
  • Question
    Do we have to boil it?
    Qamar
    Top Answerer
    No, you don't boil the frosting.
  • Question
    Can you do writing with frosting?
    Community Answer
    Yes - put the icing in a zip lock bag and cut one of the edges off, so a small amount comes out when you squeeze the bag that you can write with.
  • Question
    Will frosting spoil if I don't refrigerate it?
    Community Answer
    Eventually, it will. It will take quite a while, however. About 2-3 days approximately.
  • Question
    Can I make frosting without butter or margarine?
    Community Answer
    Yes, if you used Crisco.
  • Question
    Can I use cane sugar or brown sugar?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can use cane sugar or brown sugar, but if you use brown sugar, obviously, the frosting will not be white.
  • Question
    Do I have to use vanilla extract? Can orange juice be used?
    Community Answer
    You do not have to use vanilla extract, it is optional. You can use orange juice for a substitute for milk, or you can just put it in for orange flavor, but if you do that you will have to add more powdered sugar or it will be runny.
  • Question
    Can I use milk and chocolate chips to make the frosting?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can mix milk with powdered sugar (as shown in method 1) and add chocolate chips.
  • Question
    Can I substitute vegetable oil in place of butter in butter frosting?
    🛫 Mattheus Goldman 🛬
    Community Answer
    No, a good substitute for butter would be margarine. It has the same viscosity as butter and tastes just like it.
  • Question
    Can I use spreadable cream cheese in cream cheese frosting
    Community Answer
    Yes. Cream cheese is cream cheese, it shouldn't make a difference.
  • Question
    Can I add whipped cream to a can of cake frosting to make it lighter?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can, but the whipped cream could melt, which could make the frosting a bit liquidy.
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