Tired Of Runny Frosting? This Simple Tip Is The Key - Tasting Table (2024)

Tired Of Runny Frosting? This Simple Tip Is The Key - Tasting Table (4)

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ByNikki Overfelt Chifalu/

When it comes to frosting, consistency is key. Nothing is more frustrating when decorating a cake than frosting that it too runny. Maybe your butter was too soft or you added too much milk, or maybe it's just hot in the kitchen, which are common reasons for frosting that is too thin, sharesHummingbird Bakery. So what can you do to fix it? Cornstarch is the solution, according to LeafTV.

You might not associate cornstarch with frosting, but Bon Appétit reports it's actually added to most powdered sugar you'll find in the store. A staple in many frosting recipes, cornstarch helps to prevent clumping in the sweetener, but the ingredient isn't only prized for it's anti-caking abilities. Cornstarch is also commonly used to thicken sauces, fruit pies, and stews. While it works best as a thickener when heated,The Spruce Eatsexplains cornstarch will absorb some moisture even if you don't bake or cook it in your recipe. The additive can help stabilize buttercream frosting in the heat and humidity — and no one wants a dripping cake at a summer outdoor party.

See Also
Water Icing

Adding the cornstarch

Tired Of Runny Frosting? This Simple Tip Is The Key - Tasting Table (5)

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If your finished frosting is too runny, per LeafTV, you can combine cornstarch with one or two tablespoons of milk before adding it to the frosting to thicken the whole thing up. The amount you should use depends on the amount of sugar in the recipe, as you don't want to actually be able to taste the cornstarch. The outlet recommends you start with a half of a teaspoon for every cup of sugar, adding up to one teaspoon per cup if needed. If you know your frosting will be on the thin side before you make it, you can skip the milk and sift the cornstarch directly into the sugar before you mix it up.

Cooking the cornstarch first is also an option. This method helps to avoid the cornstarch affecting the flavor, texture, and appearance of the frosting. Before heating, dissolve the cornstarch in liquid, and be sure to let it cool before adding it to your frosting.

If you're out of cornstarch,Taste of Homesays you can add more powdered sugar when frosting is too thin, but using cornstarch will achieve similar results without making it too sweet, so we recommend this method above all else.

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Tired Of Runny Frosting? This Simple Tip Is The Key - Tasting Table (2024)

FAQs

Tired Of Runny Frosting? This Simple Tip Is The Key - Tasting Table? ›

Add cornstarch to make it less runny

What to do with runny frosting? ›

Dry/thick ingredients like cocoa powder, freeze dried fruit (powder,) and peanut butter will help thicken frosting, while vanilla and brown butter should be added sparingly to make sure it's the right texture. Storage Tips: Once you achieve the perfect consistency, store your frosting in an airtight container.

What is a cake without frosting called? ›

Naked cakes are layer cakes that are unadorned (or nearly bare) on the sides. That's right: no swoops of frosting or colorful iced patterns.

What to do when buttercream is too runny? ›

To thicken your buttercream when you've added too much liquid, simply add more powdered sugar, 2-3 Tablespoons at a time, until the desired consistency is reached. If it's more of a matter of the kitchen temperature being too warm, pop your buttercream into the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes.

How to make can frosting taste better? ›

Empty a can of frosting into a bowl and mix in 1 tablespoon of confectioner's sugar with a mixer, adding more sugar 1 tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency. Add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness of the added sugar and any flavorings.

What to do if you run out of frosting? ›

GLAZE: Drizzle your cake with a thick or thin glaze. For a basic version, stir 1 tbsp of milk into 2 cups sifted powdered sugar. As the sugar dissolves, the glaze will loosen up—then you can add 1 to 3 tbsp more milk to get the consistency you want.

What to do if your royal icing is too runny? ›

The icing consistency can be adjusted at any stage of the decorating process simply by stirring in sifted powdered sugar to thicken, or water to thin. Remember, at this stage, it is important to gently stir in (not whip on the mixer) any additional water.

What is a substitute for frosting? ›

Marshmallow Frosting – This is perhaps your best bet. It is still sugary, but it's lighter and it can still be piped. Cream Cheese Icing – Another classic frosting. Whipped Cream with Cream Cheese – For a rich but lighter-tasting topping, you can bulk up whipped cream with cream cheese to help it hold its form.

What can I put on a cake other than frosting? ›

10 Aesthetic Ways to Decorate a Cake Other Than Frosting
  1. Fondant. Fondant is an extremely useful and versatile decorating material. ...
  2. Ganache. Ganache is a smooth and silky glaze made of chocolate and cream. ...
  3. Fruit. ...
  4. Buttercream Icing. ...
  5. Flowers. ...
  6. Nuts. ...
  7. Sprinkles. ...
  8. Marshmallows.
Jun 18, 2023

What is a cupcake without frosting called? ›

Muffins never have frosting on them, so it's the quickest way to tell them apart from cupcakes. Then there's our red velvet cupcake, made with a cocoa and buttermilk sponge and topped with our signature cream cheese and lime juice frosting.

How do you fix soupy buttercream frosting? ›

So, whether your buttercream is a veritable soup or just a touch runny, the answer is to cool it down. If the buttercream is thin enough to run off a spoon, refrigerate the whole bowl for 20 minutes, just until the frosting begins to harden around the edges.

What happens if you overbeat buttercream? ›

The longer you beat, the more air you incorporate in your buttercream, thus, it will have lots of holes or air-pockets, it will also make the colour lighter. If you will use your buttercream primarily for filling or maybe as simple swirls, then this is ok.

How to thicken up icing without powdered sugar? ›

Add corn starch

If you want to thicken your royal icing without adding additional sugar, you can add a minimal amount of corn starch (less than a teaspoon) to help your icing thicken up.

Are you supposed to whip canned frosting? ›

Better Homes and Gardens tested whipping store-bought frosting and confirmed that the process really does increase the quantity due to “beating air into the frosting.” Simply stirring canned frosting may also help spread it more easily.

What does adding butter to store-bought frosting do? ›

It turns out that mixing softened butter into your canned frosting can work wonders to upgrade its flavor, offsetting that store-bought taste and creating a silky, rich, and delicious topping.

How do you make icing taste good? ›

These are the 7 tips to make store bought frosting taste better.
  1. Add a pinch of salt.
  2. Add flavoring.
  3. Add whipped cream.
  4. Add in cream cheese for a lighter flavor.
  5. Whip the frosting.
  6. Add textures.
  7. Add freeze-dried ground-up fruit to add flavor.
Jul 18, 2020

How to fix runny frosting without powdered sugar? ›

Add corn starch

If you want to thicken your royal icing without adding additional sugar, you can add a minimal amount of corn starch (less than a teaspoon) to help your icing thicken up.

Can I put frosting in the fridge to thicken? ›

If the consistency is too thin or runny you can put the frosting mixture in the fridge for up to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.If it's still too thin, take out some of the runny mixture and beat in some more cream cheese.

How to harden icing fast? ›

Luckily, there are multiple ways that you can speed up the process. Leave your cookies to try at room temperature and expose them to as much airflow as possible. If your home is humid, use a dehumidifier or a fan to help dry the cookies quicker, or use a heat gun to solidify the icing at lightning speed.

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