How to Make Vanilla Icing
Guide Note
There's no need to buy vanilla icing at a grocery store! How to Make Vanilla Icing will show you how to create your own delicious vanilla icing from basic ingredients.
Table of Contents
Making Vanilla Icing Tips
- Soften, but don't completely melt, the butter before using in this recipe.
- Use genuine vanilla extract for the best vanilla flavor.
- Mix until the icing is smooth and lump-free.
- You can adjust the thickness of icing by adding more or less milk.
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Introduction
- If you enjoy baking, you'll inevitably need some vanilla icing to spread on your creations. Whether it's for topping cookies, cinnamon rolls or a birthday cake, great-tasting vanilla icing is fast and easy to make in your own kitchen. Just follow these simple instructions!
What You'll Need
(Creative Commons photo by Bean)
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup softened butter (or, alternatively, butter-flavored shortening)
- 2 Tablespoons milk
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 Teaspoons vanilla extract
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Mixing spoons
- Electric mixer (optional)
- Measuring cups and measuring spoons
- Note: This recipe makes enough icing to frost one 13X9-inch cake, or 24 cupcakes.
Making Vanilla Icing
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter with the powdered sugar.
- Mix them together using a mixing spoon, or electric mixer set on low speed until they are well blended. 1
- Next add the vanilla extract and one teaspoon of the milk and mix well.
- Scrape the sides of the bowl often while mixing.2
- Continue to add milk one teaspoon at a time until frosting is the desired consistency.3
- Continue to blend until the icing is smooth and creamy, with no lumps.4
- Your vanilla icing is finished and ready to spread!
Vanilla Icing Hints
(Creative Commons photo by llahbocaj)
- - It's much easier to thin icing with additional milk than to thicken it again, so keep in mind that a little milk goes a long way when you're adjusting the consistency.
- - After your icing is thoroughly mixed, you can add food coloring to transform your vanilla icing to any color of the rainbow.5
- - Icing can be stored in the refrigerator before use, but for the most attractive results, allow the icing to return to room temperature before spreading.6
- - For the most authentic vanilla flavor, be sure to use real vanilla extract rather than imitation.7
- - If you need your vanilla icing to be pure white, try using vanilla powder instead of vanilla extract.8
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References for How to Make Vanilla Icing
- ↑ BettyCrocker.com: Red Devil's Food Cake
- ↑ Cooks.com: Creamy Vanilla Frosting
- ↑ RecipeZaar.com: Creamy Vanilla Frosting/Icing
- ↑ Simply Recipes: Sugar Cookies Recipe
- ↑ RecipeZaar.com: Easy Frosting
- ↑ RecipeZaar.com: Creamy Vanilla Frosting
- ↑ CookingLight.com: Happy Endings:Vanilla
- ↑ RecipeTips.com: Vanilla Powder
Additional Vanilla Icing Recipes
- AllRecipes: Quick Vanilla Frosting
- Martha Stewart: Vanilla Frosting
- RecipeZaar: Basic Vanilla Frosting
- RecipeZaar: Grammie Bea's Special Vanilla Frosting
