Download Article
Explore this Article
methods
1Improving the Flavor
2Correcting the Consistency
3Adding Color
Other Sections
Video
Related Articles
References
Article Summary
Co-authored byCraig Watsonand Sophia Latorre
Last Updated: July 28, 2023Approved
Download Article
Store-bought frosting is cheap and convenient, but it may not have the flavor, consistency, or color you desire. Luckily, there’s several easy ways to make store bought frosting better! Adding flavored syrups, powdered sugar, or food coloring are just a few examples of how you can improve frosting at home. With a few simple changes, your store-bought frosting will be the star of your dessert in no time.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:
Improving the Flavor
Download Article
1
Flavor the frosting with syrup. Empty a can of frosting into a large mixing bowl using a spatula or spoon. Add around 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of a flavored syrup. Mix the syrup into the frosting with an electric mixer or by hand. Taste the frosting, then mix in more of the flavored syrup, if desired.[1]
2
Add cream cheese for a richer taste. Put a can of frosting in a large mixing bowl and add 8 oz. of cream cheese. Use an electric mixer to combine the ingredients, or mix them together by hand. This addition provides a creamier, richer flavor to the frosting.[2]
Advertisem*nt
3
Flavor the frosting with food extract. Use a spatula to empty a can of frosting into a mixing bowl. Add ½ teaspoon (2.5 mL) of a food extract, such as vanilla, chocolate, or orange, to the bowl and mix it into the frosting. Taste the frosting and, if desired, mix another ½ teaspoon (2.5 mL) of food extract into it for a stronger flavor.
4
Mix in whipped topping to tone down the sweetness. Empty an 8-oz. tub of whipped topping into a mixing bowl, then add one can of frosting. Mix the two together by hand or with an electric mixer. In addition to toning down the sweetness, the whipped topping also makes the frosting lighter and fluffier.[3]
5
See Also3 Ways to Make Store-Bought Frosting Taste Like Homemade4 Brilliant Tricks for Making Canned Frosting Taste HomemadeLemon Glaze for Glazed Lemon Pound CakeMary Berry's lemon cupcakes with lemon icingFlavor the frosting with fruit juice. Transfer a can of frosting to a large mixing bowl with a spatula or spoon. Add 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of fruit juice, such as from a fresh-squeezed lemon or lime, to the bowl. Mix it well by hand or with an electric mixer. Taste the frosting, and, if desired, add another tablespoon or two of fruit juice to strengthen the flavor.[4]
Advertisem*nt
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:
Correcting the Consistency
Download Article
1
Add 1 Tbsp of powdered sugar to thicken the frosting. Use a spatula to transfer the frosting from the container to a mixing bowl. Add 1 tablespoon (15 g) of powdered sugar to the bowl and mix it by hand or with an electric mixer. If you would like the frosting to be thicker, mix another ½ tablespoon (7.5 g) of powdered sugar into the frosting.
2
Thin the frosting using ½ tsp of milk. Put the frosting in a mixing bowl using a spoon or spatula. Add ½ teaspoon (2.5 mL) of milk to the bowl. Mix it with an electric mixer or by hand. If the frosting is still too thick, mix another ½ teaspoon (2.5 mL) of milk into it.[5]
- You can substitute milk for water, if desired.
3
Whip the frosting to make it light and fluffy. Transfer the frosting to a large mixing bowl. Whip the frosting using a whisk or an electric mixer until it doubles in volume. Don’t continue whipping after the volume has doubled, or you risk creating lumps in the frosting.[6]
Advertisem*nt
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:
Adding Color
Download Article
1
Empty white frosting into a mixing bowl. Transfer plain white frosting to a mixing bowl using a spatula or spoon. You may want to reserve a small amount of white frosting in case you want to lighten the color of the frosting later.[7]
2
Mix food coloring into the frosting. Natural food coloring is better for you than artificial food coloring. You can use all one color, or use multiple colors. Mix a few drops of food coloring into the frosting by hand or with an electric mixer. Keep in mind that 100 drops of food coloring equals about 1 teaspoon (5 mL).[8]
- Make pink frosting by adding 11 drops of red and 3 drops of yellow.
- Make lavender frosting by adding 5 drops of blue and 5 drops of red.
- Make mint green frosting by adding 3 drops of blue and 3 drops of green.
3
Adjust the color, if needed. If the color is too dark, add more plain white frosting. If the color isn’t dark enough, add another drop or two of food coloring. Then, mix the frosting thoroughly. Continue adjusting the color until you get the desired result.[9]
Advertisem*nt
Community Q&A
Search
Question
What flavorings do I use for toffee frosting?
HumanBeing
Top Answerer
Toffee is essentially butter and sugar, the same ingredients as frosting. To make toffee-flavored frosting, simply add toffee to the frosting. Melt and add toffee sweets or candies, obtain and add toffee powder or add toffee-flavored pudding to your frosting with extra sugar to maintain density. Buying toffee frosting might be an even easier option.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHowYesNo
Not Helpful 3Helpful 13
Question
Can I add peanut butter to chocolate frosting to give it a peanut butter flavor?
Maggie
Community Answer
Yes! Just keep in mind that if you add melted peanut butter instead of room temperature peanut butter, you may need to add powdered sugar to even out the consistency.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHowYesNo
Not Helpful 0Helpful 0
Question
Can you glaze small cakes with canned icing?
Dj Cookii
Community Answer
Spoon canned frosting into a microwave-safe bowl. Stir the frosting and continue to heat in 5-second intervals if necessary, until all the icing is melted. Let cool slightly for a minute or so. The frosting should now be a thin glaze you can drizzle onto desserts such as cakes and cookies.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHowYesNo
Not Helpful 3Helpful 0
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Advertisem*nt
Video
You Might Also Like
Advertisem*nt
References
- ↑ http://www.momentswithmandi.com/how-to-add-flavor-to-store-bought-frosting-7-fun-ways/
- ↑ https://www.quickeasycook.com/how-to-make-store-bought-frosting-better/
- ↑ http://www.thehappierhomemaker.com/how-to-hack-box-cake-mix-and-premade-ic/
- ↑ http://www.momentswithmandi.com/how-to-add-flavor-to-store-bought-frosting-7-fun-ways/
- ↑ https://www.quickeasycook.com/how-to-make-store-bought-frosting-better/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LylT-D9b5M
- ↑ http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/articles/frost-by-numbers-how-to-make-frosting-colors
- ↑ http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/articles/frost-by-numbers-how-to-make-frosting-colors
- ↑ http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/articles/frost-by-numbers-how-to-make-frosting-colors
About This Article
![3 Ways to Make Store‐Bought Frosting Better - wikiHow (21) 3 Ways to Make Store‐Bought Frosting Better - wikiHow (21)](https://i0.wp.com/www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/d/d0/Craig_Watson.png/-crop-100-100-100px-Craig_Watson.png)
Co-authored by:
Craig Watson
Baker
This article was co-authored by Craig Watson and by wikiHow staff writer, Sophia Latorre. Craig Watson is a Baker, Entrepreneur, and the Founder of Baked Cravings, a nut-free bakery in New York City. With eight years of experience, he specializes in creating high-quality baked goods in a nut-free facility. Baked Cravings has received The Best of Manhattan Award. Craig holds a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from New Jersey City University and a Master of Business Administration in Marketing from Wilmington University. This article has been viewed 307,886 times.
2 votes - 80%
Co-authors: 5
Updated: July 28, 2023
Views:307,886
Categories: Frosting Icing and Fondant
Article SummaryX
If you want to make store-bought frosting better, try improving the flavor with 1 teaspoon of flavored syrup, such as caramel, hazelnut, or mango. To make the frosting richer, add 8 ounces of cream cheese and blend it in using an electric mixer. You may also want to try adding half a teaspoon of food extract, like vanilla, or 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon or lime. Alternatively, make your frosting fluffier and less sweet by mixing in an 8-ounce tub of whipped topping. If you want to change the color of your frosting, mix in a couple drops of food coloring. For more tips, including how to change the consistency of store-bought frosting, keep reading!
Did this summary help you?
- Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 307,886 times.
Reader Success Stories
Johanna Soto-Dorgan
May 20, 2019
"I can't believe it! I tried this trick to double the canned frosting and it worked perfectly. Thanks for the..." more
More reader storiesHide reader stories
Did this article help you?
Advertisem*nt