Wednesday, March 28, 2007

You'll never buy frosting in a can again

Awhile back I made a cake then realized I didn't have any frosting for it--which is a sin in my house. I grabbed my Cake Mix Doctor cookbook and browsed through all the recipes they had and was getting discouraged because I didn't have some of the items needed for most of the recipes. I finally came across this one and had everything I needed. I made it and Neal has now declared that I'm not allowed to use frosting in a can any more because this is so good...lol! It's a basic buttercream frosting except that it's chocolate...yummmm! For Neal's birthday I made a chocolate cake with this frosting. He loved it.

FLUFFY CHOCOLATE FROSTING

8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, at room temperature (very important)
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 cups confectioners sugar, sifted, plus additional if needed
1/3 cup whole milk, plus additional if needed
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt

1. Place the butter and cocoa powder in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed until the mixture is soft and well combined, 30 seconds. Stop the machine. Place the confectioners sugar, 1/3 cup milk, vanilla, and salt in the bowl, and beat with the mixer on low speed until the frosting lightens and is fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add more milk if the frosting is too thick or confectioners' sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, if the frosting is too thin.

2. Use the frosting to frost the cake or cupcakes of your choice.

****I looked and the basic buttercream recipe has 3/4 cup more confectioners sugar, no cocoa powder or salt. Follow the directions for above. I would think it would make a beige/white frosting.

I really like the Cake Mix Doctor cookbook. I've made several recipes out of it. It's nice to start with the basic cake mix and add to it. Most of the recipes call for adding buttermilk or sour cream which makes the cakes super moist. When my local grocery has cake mixes on sale ($.69 or 2/$1) I stock up. I always have a mix on hand for those last minute cupcakes or cake you need for something. You can also make cookies out of a cake mix. I used to have a basic recipe but don't know what I've done with it. I wonder if Mama still has it?
Anyways, give this recipe a try next time you need chocolate frosting!

2 comments:

Kristina said...

I love the Cake Mix Dr. cookbook too. If you like coconut, the Icebox coconut cake is fabulous.

Anonymous said...

It is always great when you can find recipes that your husband loves. My husband is not a big frosting fan so I make one with pudding and coolwhip.

Hope all is going well!!