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With a flair for making the complicated seem effortlessly charming, Ivy Harper has introduced a cake frosting recipe that’s not only a feast for the eyes but a celebration for the taste buds. Following Ivy Harper cake frosting recipe promises an adventure filled with sweet surprises, learning moments, and, most importantly, lots of fun.
Table of Contents
How to make Ivy Harper Cake Frosting
Ivy Harper Cake Frosting is a rich, fluffy frosting typically made with butter, sugar, and milk. It is known for its smooth texture and ability to create a perfect finish on cakes and cupcakes.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt (optional, to balance sweetness)
- Food coloring (optional, for decoration purposes)
Instructions:
- Preparation: Before you begin, ensure your butter is at room temperature. This will make it easier to whip and result in a smoother frosting.
- Beat the Butter: Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or a hand mixer beat the butter on medium-high speed until creamy and pale (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add Sugar Slowly: Gradually add in the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, on low speed to prevent the sugar from flying everywhere. Make sure each cup is well incorporated before adding the next.
- Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Once all the sugar is added, pour in the vanilla extract and heavy cream (start with 2 tablespoons and add more if needed). Also, add a pinch of salt if you’re using it.
- Whip It Good: Increase the speed to high and whip the frosting for about 3-5 minutes until it’s light, fluffy, and has increased in volume.
- Color Your World: If you’re using food coloring, now’s the time to add it. Start with just a little—you can always add more to get the color you desire. Mix until the color is even throughout.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste your frosting. If it’s too stiff, add more cream, 1 teaspoon at a time. If it’s too soft, add a bit more powdered sugar.
- Let’s Decorate: Once your frosting is ready, you can either pipe it onto your cake or spread it with a spatula for a rustic look.
Tips for the Perfect Frosting:
- Room-Temperature Ingredients: For the best incorporation, make sure your butter (and even your heavy cream) is at room temperature.
- Sift Your Powdered Sugar: Sifting the sugar helps to ensure there are no lumps in your frosting and it’s perfectly smooth.
- Customize Your Flavor: While vanilla is classic, feel free to mix in other extracts like almond, lemon, or even a dash of cocoa powder for a chocolate twist.
- Keep It Consistent: When coloring your frosting, use gel food colors. They are more concentrated and won’t affect the consistency of your frosting like liquid food colors might.
- Practice Makes Perfect: If you’re not confident with piping, practice a few times on wax paper before moving on the cake.
What to serve with
Ivy Harper cake frosting, with its rich and buttery flavor, is versatile enough to accompany a variety of baked delights.
- Classic Layered Cakes: A good frosting is the crowning glory of any layered cake. Whether it’s a classic vanilla or chocolate cake or something more adventurous like red velvet or lemon sponge, the light and creamy texture of this Ivy Harper cake frosting will transform the cake.
- Cupcakes are the perfect single-serving confection for any occasion. From birthday parties to bridal showers, they pair wonderfully with this type of frosting. Customize the color and flavor to match the theme of your event.
- Sheet Cakes: For casual gatherings or family dinners, a sheet cake with a generous layer of frosting on top is simple yet satisfying. You can also add sprinkles, chocolate chips, or fruit on top for an extra dash of pizzazz.
- Cake Pops: Crumble leftover cake, mix it with some of this frosting to create a “dough,” and then roll it into balls to make cake pops. These bite-sized treats can then be dipped in chocolate and decorated for a fun and portable dessert.
- Cookies: Spread or pipe this frosting onto sugar cookies, gingerbread, or chocolate cookies for an elevated sweet snack. It can also be used as a “glue” for sandwiching two cookies together.
- Brownies: For those who love extra decadent desserts, a swirl of this buttery frosting on a chewy brownie takes it up a notch. The contrast between the rich chocolate and the light frosting is truly delectable.
- Pound or Bundt Cakes: Drizzle a thinned-out version of the frosting over a dense pound or bundt cake for a visually appealing glaze that adds moistness and sweetness.
- Whoopie Pies: This frosting makes a great filling for whoopie pies. Its creamy texture is the perfect complement to soft, cake-like cookies.
- Sweet Bread and Muffins: A dollop of this frosting gives muffins or sweet bread, like banana or pumpkin, a special touch. It’s a great way to dress up breakfast or brunch items.
Ingredients Substitutes
Making Ivy Harper cake frosting and finding yourself short of some ingredients? Or perhaps you’re catering to dietary restrictions or preferences? No worries! There are plenty of substitutions that can be made without drastically altering the taste or texture of your frosting.
Butter Substitutes:
- Margarine: A straightforward substitute for butter. Opt for block margarine, which has a higher water content than the spreadable kind.
- Vegetable Shortening: Offers a stable texture but lacks the rich flavor of butter. You can mix it with butter or margarine to improve the taste.
- Coconut Oil: Use refined coconut oil for a less coconutty taste. It’s a great vegan option, though it may slightly alter the texture of your frosting.
Cream Cheese Substitutes:
- Mascarpone Cheese: Offers a creamier and richer taste, though slightly sweeter. Perfect for frostings.
- Vegan Cream Cheese: Available in most grocery stores, it’s a great dairy-free alternative. Taste and textures may vary by brand.
- Greek Yogurt (Thickened): Drain the yogurt in a cheesecloth to achieve a cream-cheese-like thickness. It’s tangier and lower in fat.
- Neufchâtel Cheese: It has a lower fat content but a similar taste and texture to cream cheese.
Milk/Cream Substitutes:
- Non-dairy Milk: Almond, soy, oat, or coconut milk can be used as a 1:1 substitute. Note that these may slightly alter the flavor, especially coconut milk.
- Half-and-half or Heavy Cream: If the recipe calls for milk and you want a richer frosting, choose these options.
- Evaporated Milk: A good stand-in for cream, slightly thicker than regular milk and adds richness.
Powdered Sugar Substitutes:
- DIY Powdered Sugar: Blend granulated sugar with some cornstarch until fine. It’s not as smooth as commercial powdered sugar, but it works in a pinch.
- Honey or Maple Syrup: For a less refined sugar option, though this will alter the texture and flavor of your frosting. You may need to adjust the amount of liquid in the recipe.
Flavoring Substitutes:
- Vanilla Extract: If you’re out, you can use almond extract or maple syrup for a different taste profile. The quantity may need to be adjusted based on potency.
- Citrus Zest or Juice: A great addition if you’re looking for freshness. Can be used in place of extracts.
- Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom can add warmth and depth, especially to fall—or winter-themed desserts.
Dietary Restrictions:
- Use dairy-free butter, cream cheese, and milk alternatives mentioned above for vegan substitutions.
- For a low-sugar option, consider using stevia-based powdered sugar or reducing the amount of sugar and compensating with a sugar-free milk alternative to adjust consistency.
Egg-based Frostings:
- Aquafaba: The liquid from canned chickpeas can be whipped into a meringue-like consistency and sweetened, making a great vegan substitute.
- Silken Tofu: Blended silken tofu can replace eggs in some frosting recipes, providing a smooth texture.
Final Thoughts
When serving the Ivy Harper Cake frosting with any dessert, it’s good to taste the combination beforehand to ensure that the flavors balance well and don’t overpower each other.
More Frosting Recipes:
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Food coloring
Instructions
- Preparation: Before you begin, ensure your butter is at room temperature. This will make it easier to whip and result in a smoother frosting.
- Beat the Butter: Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or a hand mixer beat the butter on medium-high speed until creamy and pale (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add Sugar Slowly: Gradually add in the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, on low speed to prevent the sugar from flying everywhere. Make sure each cup is well incorporated before adding the next.
- Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Once all the sugar is added, pour in the vanilla extract and heavy cream (start with 2 tablespoons and add more if needed). Also, add a pinch of salt if you're using it.
- Whip It Good: Increase the speed to high and whip the frosting for about 3-5 minutes until it's light, fluffy, and has increased in volume.
- Color Your World: If you're using food coloring, now's the time to add it. Start with just a little—you can always add more to get the color you desire. Mix until the color is even throughout.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste your frosting. If it's too stiff, add more cream, 1 teaspoon at a time. If it's too soft, add a bit more powdered sugar.
- Let's Decorate: Once your frosting is ready, you can either pipe it onto your cake or spread it with a spatula for a rustic look.
