Ermine Frosting Recipe
Ermine frosting is a classic, silky-smooth buttercream made by thickening milk with flour and then whipping it with butter and sugar to create a light, fluffy frosting. It’s perfect for cakes and cupcakes, offering a less sweet and creamier alternative to traditional buttercream.
- Author: Victoria
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Enough to frost a 9-inch two-layer cake
- Category: Frosting
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Milk Mixture
- 1 cup (245 g) whole milk
- 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Buttercream
- 1 cup (2 sticks / 227 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Cook milk with flour. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the milk and flour. Cook, whisking constantly, for 3-5 minutes, or until no lumps remain and the mixture thickens and resembles a very thick pudding that coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature.
- Cream butter and sugar. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the room temperature butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed.
- Mix in milk mixture to the butter and sugar. Add the cooled milk and flour mixture to the butter and sugar in the stand mixer bowl. Beat on medium-high speed until the frosting becomes light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes, stopping to scrape down the bowl sides as necessary.
- Switch to the whisk attachment and add vanilla. Replace the paddle with the whisk attachment. Add the vanilla extract and mix on high speed for 7-8 minutes until the frosting is smooth, creamy, and light in texture.
Notes
- Make sure the milk and flour mixture has cooled completely before adding to butter to prevent melting the butter.
- Room temperature butter is essential for proper creaming and texture.
- This frosting is less sweet than traditional buttercream and has a unique texture similar to whipped cream.
- Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, then re-whip before use.
Keywords: ermine frosting, classic buttercream, milk flour frosting, light buttercream, traditional frosting