If you’ve never tried Ermine Frosting before, get ready to fall in love with its silky, whipped texture that’s unlike any other frosting out there. This Ermine Frosting Recipe is a classic Southern favorite that balances sweetness with a smooth richness, making it the perfect complement to cakes and cupcakes without being overly sugary or heavy. It’s a little nostalgic, a lot comforting, and totally worth the wait as it delivers a frosting that both spreads beautifully and melts in your mouth.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Creating this Ermine Frosting Recipe requires just a handful of simple ingredients, each one playing a crucial role in turning basic pantry staples into a luscious frosting. The combination of sugar, flour, and milk forms a thick base that mimics the creaminess of sweetened condensed milk, while butter and vanilla bring in richness and aromatic warmth.
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the frosting evenly without overpowering the other flavors.
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour: Acts as a thickening agent to create that smooth, velvety texture.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances depth of flavor.
- 1 cup whole milk: Adds creaminess and helps cook the flour mixture to a perfect consistency.
- 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature): Provides the rich, silky body essential for a whipped frosting.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Brings warmth and a subtle aromatic hint that brightens the entire frosting.
How to Make Ermine Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Flour Mixture
Begin by combining the sugar, flour, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the milk carefully to ensure the mixture is smooth with no lumps. It’s key to whisk continuously as you cook this mixture for about 5 to 7 minutes, until it thickens to a consistency similar to sweetened condensed milk. This thick base is what gives the frosting its silky, dense texture.
Step 2: Cool the Mixture
Once thickened, transfer the mixture to a bowl and press plastic wrap directly onto its surface to prevent a skin from forming. Let it cool to room temperature completely — this usually takes about an hour. If you’re in a hurry, you can speed up with a brief chill in the fridge, but be careful not to let it get too cold or it will become difficult to work with later on.
Step 3: Whip the Butter
Meanwhile, prepare your butter by beating it in a large bowl with a hand or stand mixer until it’s light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. This step is crucial to achieving the frosting’s classic whipped texture, so don’t rush it!
Step 4: Combine Mixtures
Now for the magic moment: add your cooled flour mixture gradually, about a tablespoon at a time, to the whipped butter, beating after each addition until smooth. Make sure the flour mixture is completely cooled to avoid melting the butter — warm mixture here will ruin the frosting’s silky texture. Scrape the bowl sides often to blend everything perfectly.
Step 5: Add Vanilla and Finish
Finally, stir in the vanilla extract to infuse a fragrant warmth into your frosting. The result should be beautifully smooth, with that wonderfully light and whipped texture that makes this Ermine Frosting Recipe so special.
How to Serve Ermine Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
While this Ermine Frosting is a star on its own, you can elevate your presentation by topping it with light sprinkles of toasted nuts, fresh berries, or delicate edible flowers. These garnishes add a pop of color and texture contrast without overwhelming the frosting’s charm.
Side Dishes
Pairing cakes or cupcakes with homemade fruit compotes or a simple fresh fruit salad complements the subtle sweetness of the Ermine Frosting. A cup of freshly brewed tea or coffee also balances the rich, creamy frosting beautifully for a delightful treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Let your creativity shine by piping this frosting into elegant rosettes, rustic swirls, or smooth layers over classic cakes like red velvet or spice cake. Try incorporating a hint of cocoa powder for a chocolate version or fold in some lemon zest for a citrus twist. The versatility of this Ermine Frosting Recipe means it’s perfect for decorating everything from simple cupcakes to layered celebration cakes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftover Ermine Frosting, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It keeps well for up to 3 days, retaining its freshness and flavor, though it may firm up slightly in the cold.
Freezing
You can freeze Ermine Frosting for longer storage in a tightly sealed container. When ready to use, thaw it overnight in the fridge, then give it a good whip before spreading to restore that fluffy texture.
Reheating
To reheat, bring the frosting back to room temperature and gently re-whip with a mixer to lighten it up again. Avoid using direct heat as it can cause the butter to melt and the frosting to separate.
FAQs
Can I use a different milk for Ermine Frosting Recipe?
Whole milk works best because of its fat content, which contributes to the richness of the frosting. You can try 2% milk, but going lower in fat or using plant-based options may affect the texture and taste.
Why is my Ermine Frosting grainy?
Graininess often happens if the flour mixture wasn’t cooked enough or if the flour wasn’t whisked well before heating. Make sure the mixture thickens fully to that sweetened condensed milk consistency, and whisk consistently to avoid lumps.
Can I flavor Ermine Frosting other than vanilla?
Absolutely! Though vanilla is classic, the frosting takes well to additions like almond extract, lemon zest, or even a bit of cocoa powder for a chocolate twist.
How long does Ermine Frosting take to make?
This recipe generally takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes, mostly because the flour mixture needs to cool completely before mixing with butter, but the actual hands-on time is fairly minimal.
Is Ermine Frosting dairy-free?
Traditional Ermine Frosting contains butter and milk, so it is not dairy-free. To make a dairy-free version would require significant alterations and substitutions to maintain that signature texture.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so special about this Ermine Frosting Recipe that makes it a beloved choice every time you need a frosting that’s light, fluffy, and effortlessly elegant. Whether you’re baking for a casual weekend treat or an important celebration, it’s a frosting that invites smiles and requests for seconds. Go ahead, give it a try—you’ll wonder why you didn’t make it sooner!
PrintErmine Frosting Recipe
Ermine Frosting is a classic, silky, and fluffy frosting made by cooking a mixture of sugar, flour, salt, and milk into a thick base that is then whipped with butter and vanilla. It provides a smooth, less sweet alternative to traditional buttercream, perfect for cupcakes, cakes, and other desserts.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 22 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine dry ingredients and milk: In a saucepan over medium heat, add the sugar, flour, and salt. Whisk in the milk continuously until the mixture is smooth with no lumps.
- Cook until thickened: Cook the mixture over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes, whisking frequently. It should thicken significantly, resembling the consistency of sweetened condensed milk. Remove from heat once thickened.
- Cool the mixture: Pour the mixture into a bowl. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface and sides of the mixture to prevent a skin from forming. Let it cool completely to room temperature, which takes about an hour. To speed this up, refrigerate briefly but do not let it get colder than room temperature to avoid hardening.
- Beat the butter: In a large mixing bowl, beat the room temperature unsalted butter with a hand or stand mixer on medium-high speed until it becomes light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Incorporate the cooled flour mixture: Gradually add the cooled flour mixture one tablespoon at a time to the whipped butter. Beat well after each addition until the frosting is smooth and fully combined. Be careful that the flour mixture is not warm, as that will melt the butter and ruin the texture.
- Add vanilla extract and mix: Stir in the vanilla extract until evenly blended. The frosting should be silky smooth with a light, whipped texture.
- Frost your desserts: Use a spatula or piping bag to spread or pipe the ermine frosting onto cupcakes or cakes. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Ensure the flour mixture is completely cooled to room temperature before adding it to the butter to prevent melting.
- Use room temperature butter for easier whipping and better texture.
- If your flour mixture develops lumps, strain it before cooling to achieve a smooth frosting.
- This frosting is less sweet and lighter than traditional buttercream, making it a great option for those who prefer subtle sweetness.
- Store frosted cakes in the refrigerator but allow them to come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
