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Ermine Frosting Recipe

4.5 from 94 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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