How to Make Simple Five Minute Frosting

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8 Recipe Ratings | Success Stories

Co-authored by Craig Watson

Last Updated: September 22, 2023 Approved

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So you need a fast way of making frosting? Well, it needs to be simple. It needs to have a small amount of ingredients and it shouldn't taste cheap. Sounds pretty unreal, right? No! In fact, you can have all that and more. Just follow these steps! This an amazingly easy recipe packed with tons of taste.

Ingredients

Buttercream Frosting

1 cup (100 grams) powdered sugar
½ cup (120 grams) unsalted butter, softened
1 tablespoon to ¼ cup (60 milliliters) milk or half-and-half
1 to 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt (optional)
Food coloring (optional)

Chocolate Frosting^{[1]
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¼ cup (60 grams) unsalted butter
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
¼ (60 milliliters) cup whole milk
2 cups (200 grams) powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Simple Glaze ^{[2]
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1 cup (100 grams) powdered sugar
2 to 6 tablespoons milk or water
½ teaspoon vanilla or almond extract (optional)
Food coloring (optional)

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making Buttercream Frosting

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You can use an electric mixer or a food processor.
The mixture will appear dry and crumbly at first, but it will become smoother.

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3
Gradually stir in the half-and-half or milk until you have reached your desired consistency. If the frosting is too runny, add more powdered sugar. If it is too stiff, add more milk.
- If you want to thicken your frosting without making it sweeter, you can add more butter.
The salt is not necessary, but it will help cut down on the overall sweetness.
Squirt a few drops of food coloring over your frosting and mix it well with your electric mixer. If the color is too light, add a few more drops of food coloring and mix again.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making Chocolate Frosting

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The butter will eventually harden up, but you need it to be liquid in order for the cocoa powder to dissolve properly.
You can use a whisk or an electric mixer. Keep mixing until the cocoa powder is completely blended in and you have a uniform color.
Keep mixing until the mixture is frothy and foamy.
4
Keep mixing while gradually adding in the powdered sugar. Over time, the frosting will stiffen up and become more buttery in texture.
- If the frosting is too stiff, add some more milk, one teaspoon at a time, until you have the desired softness.
- If the frosting is too runny, add in a bit more powdered sugar.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making a Simple Glaze

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Consider pouring the sugar through a sifter to break up any clumps; this will make mixing easier later on.
You can also use another liquid, such as lemon or orange juice, for a more flavorful glaze. If you choose to use juice instead of water or milk, then omit the extracts and food coloring in the next step.
Vanilla or almond extract will enhance the flavor, while a few drops of food coloring can lend the glaze some color. Do not add extract or food coloring if you used juice instead of milk or water; both will clash with the natural flavor and color of the juice.
You will end up with a thick, paste-like consistency.
You can use the icing as is, or you can turn it into a glaze by adding more milk or water (or whatever type of liquid you used). The thinner the icing is, the easier it will be to pour or drizzle over cookies and cupcakes.

Community Q&A

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Question

Can this be stored in the refrigerator?

Community Answer

Yes. It lasts about one week or so in the refrigerator.

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Question

Can this be made without a mixer?

Community Answer

Yes, it can be made without using an electric mixer. Just use a whisk instead.

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Question

Would it work if I substituted powdered sugar with regular granulated sugar?

Community Answer

No, it wouldn't. Using granulated sugar would give you a gritty, gross frosting.

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Tips

You can make creamy frosting by hand, but it will take more time.

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Helpful 28 Not Helpful 6
If using salted butter, omit the pinch of salt. Salted butter will cut down on the sweetness of the frosting.

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Don't use melted butter; it will make the frosting runny.

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Warnings

Be careful when using a mixer.

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Do not add too much sugar, it is very unhealthy and not good for your body. It could also make guests sick.

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