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Cupcake Frosting Recipes
There are no hard and fast rules about cupcake frosting.
When I make cupcakes for the family I tire of decorating them the same way and look for easy cupcake frosting recipes.
I love the look of a plate of cupcakes with vanilla glace frosting and a cherry on top. Pink food coloring added to the frosting also looks great. Frosting piped onto a cupcake, with a sprinkling of candy confetti, shredded coconut or chocolate is always popular.
And who can say "no" to a butterfly cake that has jam, lemon curd, or cream as it's center? When dusted with icing sugar, butterfly cakes become irresistible.
The other day I was invited out to lunch. It was already late morning so I quickly made a batch of cupcakes. I went to the pantry to get out the icing (confectioners) sugar to discover there was none left. I didn't have time to go to the shop so I improvised. I grabbed a jar of choc hazelnut spread and used it as my frosting. It is a little stiff to spread so I needed a mug of boiling water to dip my knife into to make spreading easier. The cupcakes tasted fantastic. My lunch host was very impressed and asked for my cupcake icing recipe!
If I'm invited to an afternoon tea and want to take a plate of cupcakes that will look spectacular, a really easy alternative is to use fondant as your cupcake frosting and decorations.
If the tops of your cupcakes are not flat, slice through the peaks so that you have a nice level surface to work with. Decide on two colors (I love pale pink and pale green) and carefully work a couple of drops of coloring into fondant - you don't need very much fondant. When the coloring has been kneaded in, roll fondant to the desired width and use round cutters to cut circles big enough to fit over the tops of your cupcakes. Be creative with your designs. You can cut shapes in the contrasting fondant or you can use a third color (white is always a good choice) to add dots, lines, flower centers etc.
There are so many different cupcake icing recipes. Often it depends on the "look" you are after and the type of occasion you are decorating for that determines which recipe you will follow. Is it a casual family affair, a children's birthday party or an engagement party?
I was recently at a craft and food fair and one of the stalls was selling ... frosting shots!! They were little plastic disposable shot glasses filled with piped cupcake frosting. Each shot glass came with a tasting spoon and people were lined up to buy these mouthfuls of sweetness. Buttercream and ganache were the popular choices.
The frostings that I use (with the exception of fondant) can be piped or spread onto the tops of cupcakes. Listed below are basic icing recipes. You can vary the flavors and add colors to the recipes to match any cupcakes.
Almond paste can be used to coat cupcakes before frosting with royal icing. Also great for fillings in chocolates, cakes and pastries.
Brown sugar icing perfectly enhances a variety of cakes and cucpakes ranging from pumpkin, banana and carrot to chocolate, vanilla and caramel cakes.
Buttercream frosting is, as the name suggests, a very buttery cupcake frosting that tastes yummy and can be easily colored to suit the look you are after. Buttercream is great for piping as it holds its shape very well.
Chocolate fudge frosting, whether used as a filling or a topping, it makes a chocolate cake look stunning and irresistibly scrummy.
Chocolate ganache is another cupcake frosting alternative. A ganache has a beautiful rich, smooth texture that transforms a cupcake into a magnificent dessert. It is easy to make and I guarantee you'll receive compliments from everyone who tries it.
Cooked chocolate icing adds a touch of luxury to any cake or cupcakes. The gooey chocolate with a hint of sweetness leaves you licking the fingers.
Cream cheese frosting is a perfect partner for just about any cupcake recipe. You can play around with the quantities of butter and cream cheese to achieve a unique flavor.
Fluffy frosting is made with egg whites and is best made on the day it is to be served. It has a beautiful, soft, marshmallow consistency.
Fondant, which is ideal for Christening, Engagement and Wedding cupcakes, is readily available at the supermarkets but can also be home-made. I would recommended using fondant with a fruit cake. Fondant keeps well and can be prepared or bought well in advance.
Glace frosting is very quick to make. This only requires beating butter, sugar and water or milk in a small bowl and is ready within seconds. Glace frosting is the icing that I use the most as it is such a quick topping for any cupcake.
Peanut butter frosting is another ideal frosting. This rich creamy frosting is perfect teamed up with chocolate cupcakes, but can also be used with other cupcake flavors.
Royal icing has an egg-white base that sets hard on standing. It is ideal for frosting cookies.
Seven minute frosting is a versatile topping and filling for any type of cupcakes you can think of; be it chocolate, vanilla, coconut, fruity or angel cake.
Strawberry frosting brings a classic freshness to your cakes and desserts. It is versatile in every sense. Put a dollop of strawberry frosting on a pie, layer your cake with it or fill your sponge roll; it will never let you down.
Vanilla icing is a piece of soft creamy heaven on cakes. Vanilla, an ancient flavour, is a delight for our senses.
If you are also like me and let the children help you cook and they accidently spill something that is not easy to clean up, you must visit Stain-Guide.com. With stain removal tips for almost every spot known to man, this is your one stop site for getting rid of filth.
Check out my Cupcake Store for the latest cupcake products. I have selected all my favorite cupcake accessories and items. I hope you like them.
Share your favorite recipes
Do you have a recipe for frosting that you would like to share? What frosting do you team with chocolate, vanilla, fruit cupcakes?
Or, do you have a question about any of my recipes?
We would love to hear your recipes, questions and ideas.
Read recipes and questions from other visitors
Click on the links below to see some great cupcake frosting recipes and questions. They were all written by other visitors to this page.
How to Make Cupcake Icing Fast and Easy 
What makes cupcakes attractive and beautiful? Their icing! Colorful icing designs make them so appealing and enticing. Cupcakes can be prepared in various …
Cream Cheese Frosting
I have tried to make cream cheese frosting several times and it seems that no matter what I do, it's just too thin to work with.
The flavors are fine, …
Marshmallow Frosting
This is a really easy recipe for marshmallow frosting. It is best used the day it is made.
It is a great consistency and is really suitable for piping …
Coconut Frosting
I love this coconut frosting on plain vanilla cupcakes as the flavor just seems to lift the cupcakes without overpowering them.
4oz (125g) butter, softened …
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Recipe
This chocolate butter-cream frosting recipe is delicious. I use it both as a frosting and as a filling for cakes and cupcakes.
1-1/2oz (50g) butter, …
Dairy Free Frosting
4oz (125g) soy or olive spread
16oz (500g) confectioners (icing) sugar
3oz (90g) cocoa powder
3fl oz (90ml) soy or rice milk
2 teaspoons vanilla essence …
Red Velvet Cake Frosting
A delectable frosting on cake creates magic and never fails to add to its appeal. Red velvet cake frosting is no exception in this case. The reddish tone …
How much cupcake frosting
Hey There,
Beautiful and informative site! I was wondering how many cups of icing I will need to use the 1M tip to make swirls on 120 cupcakes?
Thank …
Sugar Paste
I made the sugar paste recipe you suggested. It seems to turn out fine until I start to roll and cut. It becomes crumbly. It does colour nicely. Any …
Easy Vanilla Icing 
This is the best recipe for an easy vanilla icing. It is suitable for most cakes,cupcakes and biscuits and does not involve using the mixer.
The …
Caramel Frosting
This caramel frosting seems to go with just about any cake or cupcakes.
I hope you like it.
3oz (95g) butter, softened
4oz (125g) brown or muscovado …
Easy Chocolate Frosting Recipe Not rated yet
When I was a kid my mom used to mae this chocolate sauce to pour over ice cream or use with desserts. If you allow the sauce to set in the fridge it is …
Sour Cream Frosting Not rated yet
I use sour cream frosting with lots of my cakes and cupcakes.
2oz (60g) butter, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 teaspoon …
Brownie Frosting Recipe Not rated yet
I use this browie frosting recipe for cupcakes, cake and brownies. My mom has always called it the brownie frosting recipe and I continue to call it that …
White Chocolate Frosting Not rated yet
I absolutely love white chocolate frosting and this recipe is fool-proof.
12oz (350g) white cooking chocolate
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream (thickened …
Carrot Cake Frosting Not rated yet
For my carrot cake frosting I love to use a cream cheese frosting but I like to add the juice and rind of an orange for a little extra taste.
Here is …
Cooked Frosting Not rated yet
My mom has always made this cooked frosting and now I make it and the family love it.
It is lighter and fluffier than buttercream and it colors really …
Royal Icing Recipe Not rated yet
This is my royal icing recipe. The quantities are slightly different to the recipe you have on your website.
1 egg white
10oz (300g) confectioners …
Vanilla Frosting Recipe Not rated yet
This vanilla frosting recipe is actually for a dairy free frosting. It tastes great and I make it often as my son has a severe dairy allergy. By making …
Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe Not rated yet
4oz (125g) butter, softened
14oz (400g) cream cheese, room temperature
2 teaspoons lemon juice
6 cups confectioners (icing) sugar
Cream the butter …
Chocolate Frosting Not rated yet
4oz (125g) butter, softened
8oz (250g) confectioners (icing) sugar
2/3 cup cocoa powder
4fl oz (125ml) milk
2 teaspoons vanilla essence
Beat the …
Creamy Chocolate Frosting Not rated yet
2oz (60g) cooking chocolate
1/2 cup milk
1-1/2 cups confectioners (icing) sugar
2 egg yolks
1 tbsp butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
Put chocolate and …
Fudge Frosting Recipe Not rated yet
4oz (125g) cooking chocolate
1-1/3 cup milk
4 cups confectioners (icing) sugar
2 tbsp light corn syrup
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
Place …
Lemon Frosting Recipe Not rated yet
This lemon frosting recipe was given to my mom years ago. She always uses it when she makes butterfly cupcakes and to layer vanilla cakes. It is really …
Butter Cream Frosting Recipe Not rated yet
I have seen your recipes for buttercream frosting but my butter cream frosting recipe contains cream which seems to make it a little lighter and fluffier. …
Sugar Cookie Frosting Recipe Not rated yet
I know your website is about cupcakes but I just have to share my sugar cookie frosting recipe. It is great with cookies but I have also frosted some …
Mascarpone Frosting Not rated yet
Mascarpone is richer than cream cheese so this frosting recipe makes a very, very rich frosting.
I use this this very easy frosting with carrot, red …
Buttercream Frosting Recipe Not rated yet
This buttercream frosting recipe makes up a creamy and delicious frosting. It is the perfect icing for decorating borders and making flowers like the rose …
Fondant Icing Recipe Not rated yet
Fondant icing is a flexible icing with dough like consistency, which turns your cake or cupcakes into absolute stunners. Nurture your artistic instinct …
Homemade Chocolate Icing Not rated yet
Chocolate cupcakes and chocolate cake are my not so secret indulgences. My name is Helen and I am definitely a chocoholic!!
A chocolate cupcake is …
Best Buttercream Frosting Not rated yet
I love chocolate buttercream frosting and this is the best buttercream frosting recipe I have made.
It can be served on vanilla or chocolate cakes and …
Chocolate Icing Recipes Not rated yet
These are my two favorite chocolate icing recipes.
4oz (125g) chocolate, roughly chopped
1oz (30g) butter
3 tablespoons water
Stir the chocolate …
Chocolate Frosting Recipe Not rated yet
Hi
I love your site and want to add my chocolate frosting recipe. This is the frosting that I use for cupcakes and brownies. It is so easy to make …
Coconut Frosting Recipe Not rated yet
Ingredients:
200g of icing sugar
1300g of margarine
100g of dessicated coconut
Method:
1.) first add in the icing sugar and butter in a bowl.
…
Peanut Butter Icing Not rated yet
My children love chocolate and peanut butter so I often make chocolate cake or cupcakes and frost with peanut butter icing.
This is a very easy recipe …
Vanilla Frosting Not rated yet
I just love basic vanilla frosting. It is easy to make and always tastes great. Vanilla frosting seems to be perfect for any cupcake or cake.
4oz …
Cupcake Icing Not rated yet
Hi, I have been looking all over trying to find my answer, what type of cupcake icing or frosting do I need to be able to just dip cupcakes in so that …
butter cream frosting Not rated yet
How many days or hours will the butter cream frosting last once I put it on cupcakes? Please answer.
Hi Maanne
I find that butter cream frosting …
Storage of icing?? Not rated yet
For Buttercream icing.....should I store in fridge or counter if I'm using the next day?
Thanks for your question Marcia. If it was hot weather …
Moulding icing into the perfect shape Not rated yet
If your a total beginner like me, the perfect way to make sure you get your icing decoration perfect is to practice first... with your kids Play-Doh! …
