Unlike traditional buttercream, this Fluffy Vanilla Frosting is silky smooth, much fluffier and far less sweet. The texture is closer to whipped cream, but unlike cream, this Frosting is stable for days. It pipes like a dream, as featured in Vanilla Cupcakes, and is straightforward to make.
Made without icing sugar / powdered sugar, this is actually an old fashioned frosting called “Ermine Frosting”. If you’ve never heard of it before, the ingredients and method will intrigue you!
SNAPSHOT: My Secret Fluffy Vanilla Frosting
Texture: Light and fluffy. Sits between buttercream and whipped cream, but more towards lightness of whipped cream. 100% smooth.
Sweetness and richness: Much less sweet than buttercream with 60% less sugar. In reality it is quite rich because it uses 225g/2 sticks of butter but it doesn’t taste rich because of the very fluffy, whipped cream-like texture.
Uses: Piped or spread onto cakes and cupcakes, or used in place of cream to dollop onto or on the side.
How it sets: At room temperature, it’s soft and fluffy but firm enough to be piped into tall swirls. In the fridge, it will set and become firmer, but not hard like butter. This frosting does not get a crust.
Storage: Keep covered in airtight container or cake dome. On counter on mild days up to about 22°C/71°F. Refrigerate on warmer days that makes butter melt.
Best served at: room temperature. If too cold, the frosting is firmer than ideal.
My secret Fluffy Vanilla Frosting
I call this my “secret” Vanilla Frosting because it’s not a widely known type of frosting and people are always flabbergasted when I tell them how it’s made using butter, milk, flour and sugar.
It’s my best all-rounder that’s a hit with everyone. Take a classic buttercream, in all its rich, sweet glory, and a lightly sweetened vanilla whipped cream, and this Vanilla Frosting sits squarely in the middle.
But unlike buttercream, it’s 100% silky smooth. And unlike whipped cream which deflates within hours, this Vanilla Frosting will hold a tall piped swirl for days and days.
This looks and pipes like buttercream, but it’s WAY less sweet and rich!
This frosting is actually an old fashioned frosting called Ermine Frosting. Also known as boiled-milk frosting, roux frosting and mock cream, none of these names sound particularly flash nor do they capture the magic of this frosting that has a cult following. Some declare it as the best frosting in the world!
About this Fluffy Vanilla Frosting
Though the proper name of this frosting is Ermine Frosting, I’m going to continue to call it Fluffy Vanilla Frosting because that’s exactly what it is – and it sounds a lot more flattering than the real name!😂
The method by which it is made will sound highly unusual: hot milk, flour and sugar is cooked on the stove until thickened into a thick custard texture, then once cool it becomes a thoroughly unappetising looking bowl of gluey-jelly which is then whipped into butter.
And this is when the ugly duckling transforms into a beautiful swan. Because suddenly, you’re staring into a bowl of what looks like whipped cream. Except….. you haven’t used cream at all. You touch it and know that it’s firm enough to pipe into sky-high swirls. You taste it, and it’s silky smooth. A cross between buttercream and whipped cream!
What you need for this Fluffy Vanilla Frosting
All you need is butter, flour, milk, sugar and vanilla. Flour?? I hear you query. YES. That is what thickens this into a frosting texture. I promise you will not detect even the faintest bit of flour once finished – not in texture and certainly not taste.
How to make my secret Less-Sweet Fluffy Vanilla Frosting
First, we make the roux. It’s just like how we start creamy-sauce savoury foods like Mac and Cheese – except it’s sweet, and we take it much further until it’s very thick.
Milk, sugar, flour – Stir the sugar and flour in a dry saucepan over medium heat – this just toasts the sugar lightly to bring out some flavour. Then slowly pour the warm milk in as you whisk (this avoids lumps)
Cook over medium heat until it thickens in a thick dolloping custard. The range of thickness possible is actually quite broad – I’ve made it way thicker and it still worked perfectly. In fact, the frosting holds its structure longer, and it pipes with sharper, more defined edges even though it is just as fluffy. Just don’t take it off when it’s still watery.
Scrape it into a bowl (“it” being a roux);
Cover roux with cling wrap, pressing onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming (or use paper if you’re plastic adverse) then very importantly, allow to fully cool otherwise it will melt the butter. It will become like a thick, pasty, thoroughly unappetising jelly and at this stage you will start doubting me. Have faith!
Cooling the roux / making ahead – I usually cool on counter for 20 minutes then refrigerate for 30 minutes or so to speed things up but don’t let it get fridge cold because otherwise it won’t mix together well with the room temp butter (because the temperatures are too different). You can also leave it overnight in the fridge but take it out about 1 hour prior to dechill it and bring to room temperature.
Now, we whip it up like any other frosting.
5. Beat butter until creamy – just for a couple of minutes. We don’t need it to become aerated because we will be whipping the combined mixture like you do whipped cream and at this stage it will fluff up more;
6. Add dollops of the roux, beating as you go. Take about 1 minute to add all the roux in, this will ensure your Frosting stays smooth;
7. Beat, beat, beat – Add vanilla and a pinch of salt for flavour, then beat for another 2 to 3 minutes, just like you’re whipping up a big bowl of cream; and
8. Voila! Your Fluffy Vanilla Frosting is done!
How to use this Fluffy Vanilla Frosting
Spreading and piping
Spread it onto cakes (like Vanilla Cake) and cupcakes Vanilla Cupcakes or Chocolate Cupcakes).
Or transfer to a piping bag and pipe sky-high swirls, as pictured throughout this post (Wilton 2D tip).
In fact, this frosting was the traditional frosting used for Red Velvet Cake! It was only in modern times that cream cheese frosting became the frosting of choice for Red Velvet.
You can pipe sky-high mounds of this frosting onto cupcakes, and you won’t find it sickly sweet like with buttercream!
Flavours and colouring
Treat it like your everyday buttercream – this frosting can be tinted and flavoured with concentrated flavouring.
To make it Chocolate flavoured, just whip in 1/4 cup cocoa powder at end. Melted chocolate doesn’t work as well because it weighs it down.
Note: I haven’t tried using fresh citrus like lemon, lime and orange to ensure it doesn’t split.
Storage
The butter in this frosting will require refrigeration if the temperature is warm enough for the butter to start softening – this causes the frosting to droop. I find that up to about 23°/73°F, this frosting is fine out on the counter.
If you are forced to refrigerate, make sure you take cakes out 1 1/2 hours prior to serving and cupcakes out 1 hour prior so they come to room temperature. The frosting firms up in the fridge (because the butter goes hard) which is not very pleasant to eat! You need the frosting to come to room temperature so it’s creamy and soft again. It will soften faster than fridge-cold butter because the fridge-cold frosting is not as hard as butter.
So, now you know my secret frosting recipe. 🙂 I’ve been making it for years, relishing in how people who ordinarily shy-away from sky high mounds of frosting have dived into it after I assured them that it’s way less sweet and rich than typical frostings.
Tell me what you think if you try it! – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
My Secret Less-Sweet, Fluffy Vanilla Frosting
Ingredients
- 5 tbsp flour , plain/all purpose
- 1 cup white sugar , regular/granulated (can reduce to 1/2 cup, Note 1)
- 1 cup milk, warmed using any method , full fat best (but even 0% fat works)
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 225g / 1 cup unsalted butter , softened but not too soft! (Note 3)
Chocolate Frosting option:
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder, unsweetened (Dutch processed best, if you can)
Instructions
Thickening Roux:
- Place flour and sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds.
- While whisking constantly, slowly pour the milk in (this ensure it’s lump free).
- As the milk gets hotter, it will start to thicken – stir constantly so the base doesn’t catch.
- Cook until the mixture thickens in a thick, dolloping custard – see video for texture. TIP: Thicker texture = thicker frosting texture but won't make the frosting dense, it's still fluffy and spreadable but it just makes it "sturdier" with sharper edges when piped.
- Remove from heat and scrape into a bowl. Cover with cling wrap, pressing down onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming.
- Cool completely (I leave on counter for 20 min or so then refrigerate 30 min to speed up but don't let it get chilled, best at room temp to beat into butter). You can leave in fridge overnight but take it out 1 hour prior to using (to dechill – otherwise it won't mix well with softened butter).
Making the Fluffy Frosting:
- Place butter in a bowl and use either a handheld beater or stand mixer (with whisk attachment) to beat for 3 minutes until it's smooth and changes from yellow to very pale yellow, almost white.
- Now start whipping in the Thickening Roux. On speed 5 (medium), start adding the thick roux one heaped tablespoon at a time. Take about 1 minute to add it all.
- Once all added, add vanilla and salt, then whip for 2 to 3 minutes until you can see that it is still enough to hold peaks. Then it's ready to use!
Chocolate flavoured option:
- Beat in the cocoa powder at the end, just until mixed through.
Frosting cakes and cupcakes:
- Use it like any other frosting on cakes and cupcakes – either spread it on with a knife or put in a piping bag. You can pipe sky-high mounds and it will hold its form, as pictured on Vanilla Cupcakes in this post.
- See notes for storage / make ahead.
Recipe Notes:
- This frosting is best used straight after making.
- On cooler days (22C/71F or so), frosted cakes, cupcakes etc can stay out on the counter.
- On warmer days, it will need to be refrigerated – the butter is what will make the frosting droop. Take out of fridge 1 – 1.5 hrs before serving to bring so the frosting can soften (it firms up in the fridge due to the butter).
- The flour milk roux can be made the day before and refrigerated overnight, but then take it out of the fridge 1 hour prior to take the chill out of it, you want it at room temperature.
- Freezing – up to 3 months, thaw overnight in the fridge
Nutrition Information:
Life of Dozer
When he literally DIVES in to inhale a cupcake and gets a big splodge of frosting on his nose that is JUST out of licking range….
Hi there this looks amazing. Do you think it would work with gluten free flour?
I’ve made this with plain gluten free flour a number of times and it’s always worked 💜 it is my go to icing recipe now
I tried it with tapioca flour/starch, it worked great. I also used cashew milk. And I added the cacao powder and used 1/2 cup Mexican cane sugar and 1/4 cup erythritol/monk fruit. It was plenty sweet still for me, I think I’ll do 1/4 sugar and 1/4 monk fruit next time. Great recipe and concept!
No, sorry Dina it doesn’t. N x
cassava, white rice, potato starch, tapioca -there gots to be a way?
This is seriously the best vanilla frosting recipe. I have been trying out several and stopped after this one. My husband said, “this is the best one you have ever made.” Needless to say, it’s a keeper! Thank you for sharing
Hi Nagi,
I am finally making your this icing for vanilla cupcakes, which we just loved everytime I made.
But I have to place fondant topper on icing swirls. Wpuld you recommend that?
I love the taste of this recipe because it’s not so sweet. But when I made it, the consistency of mine turned out more soft(liquidy) and not fluffy. What did I do wrong? And what should I do to fix it? Thank you!
It’s most likely your butter temperature…see my notes about optimal temp and be sure the roux is fully cooled before you combine them. N x
Holy smokes! That is the strangest recipe…but so cool! I was a skeptic at first because it first tasted like condensed milk while at room temperature.. After cooled off and added to chocolate cake and mousse my sister said that I should have added more lol.. I am so using again! I also love that it is like a sturdy whipped cream. I did add some powdered sugar at the end since my family likes more sweet.
Thanks again!
So glad you enjoyed it Shaleen! N x
Hi Nagi,
If I want to make this frosting chocolate flavored, do you have a recommended method?
Thanks!
Ally
Hi Ally…I tested it adding 2 Tablespoons sifted cocoa at the end and it worked well. N x
Nagi you are honestly the best! This is super helpful. I really appreciate you taking the time to reply when you’re so busy. Thank you thank you thank you! X
My pleasure! N x
Honestly, 10/10. I have always made icing with icing sugar and it never really turned out great for me, but THIS!! I will never make icing another way again, ever. Thank you so much for this amazing recipe.
You are welcome! N x
Nagi this was so delicious! I added in the cocoa powder and it was to die for… goodbye gritty buttercream frosting forever!
One question – will this frosting be stable enough for a three tiered round cake (8″)? It was so soft and creamy, seems like the cake layers may just slide around a bit? Or perhaps I’m overthinking it and could let it set a bit in the fridge to help stabilise it all. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
YES! This frosting is great for piping and for cakes but if its very hot where you are you will need to keep it in the fridge. A good tip is to refrigerate your cake layers tightly wrapped the unwrap before frosting so that the frosting sets easily when you stack the layers. There are more tips and details on frosting cakes here: https://salesdock.info/smooth-frosting-or-ganache-finish-on-cakes/%3C/a%3E Good luck! N x
Have you ever used this frosting in macarons?
No but I think it would be nice! N x
A great icing recipe. I love it that is it not so sweet like buttercream Icing (ugh!) I made it for our school’s anniversary. As I put the batches (4 times the recipe) together in large container, it took longer to pipe it as it was hard after being in the fridge so make sure it has 3 hours to warm up. Thanks for sharing the recipe, Nagi!
So glad you enjoyed it Donna! N x
Looks delicious! Can I substitute the caster sugar with powdered palm sugar?
Hi Shay…I am not certain that would work sorry! N x
Made this for my cake. My husband loved it but said he could taste the butter. I tasted it without the cake and it seemed a little greasy. What did I do wrong?
Be sure you beat it exactly the times specified…otherwise the texture changes. The butter flavour really depends on the brand of butter you use…choose one that has a buttery flavour you like. N x
Well I guess I should have read the comments before I doubled the batch! Texture and taste were fine but it looked grainy (even though it wasn’t). The other problem I had was it being too soft and greasy looking. Any ideas what may have happened??
With a double batch you are beating it too long which changes the texture…you can make a double of the base but need to beat the butter in in two separate batches sticking to the times as written to be sure the texture is right. Thanks! N x
Thank you! I researched so many recipes until I found yours and with all the measurements in my head I totally shorted the butter. I doubled the recipe how you mentioned and it came out perfect! So many compliments on it!!
So easy and delicious. I made it three times already, and it was perfect each time. Love the silky texture and how it’s less sweet vs traditional frosting.
Thanks! N x
This recipe is great. Easy, delicious, and not too sweet – just perfect!
I was wondering if I can easily double the recipe, or will two batches need to be cooked and mixed separately?
Thanks so much 🙂
Hi Lydia, you can make a double batch of the roux then split it in half and beat the batches separately after it cools. Beating a double in one bowl is too big and will ruin the texture. N x
That’s wonderful! Thank you very much ^.^
I was sceptical..who puts flour in icing? But once again Nagi you put my scepticism to shame. This is absolutely brilliant. Thank you for sharing your tricks!
I know! Seems weird but SOOOO good! N x
what do you mean by warmed milk? should i just put some milk in the microwave? and how warm should it be?
Hi Sam…just pop it in the microwave for 1 minute or heat in a pan until it’s warm but not too hot. You just don’t want cold milk as it will seize up. N x
I love love love this recipe. I also thought that if anyone was coming to the comments like I was wondering if it was possible to make using vegan substitutes it works perfectly. I used oat milk and then a vegan butter. The roux came to quite a different consistency (more of a smooth goopy one) than when using cows milk and did take a little longer to cook so the sugar did begin to caramelise but in the end it still worked out fabulous
I used Chobani creamy oatmilk and earth balance vegan butter and it turned out perfect
I want to try this on a birthday cake for a 6yr old. She has requested large rainbow coloured rosettes up the sides of the cake. Can anyone tell me if this frosting is sturdy enough to hold vertical piping on the side of a cake?
Hi Lynn..this frosting holds it’s shape well when piped but it stays quite soft to eat so I don’t know if it would hold up on vertical piping as roses as I haven’t tested it. I think it would but cannot guarantee it. N x