This is an old-fashioned icing, also called boiled-milk frosting. The results are as light as whipped cream but with much more character. It was the original icing for red velvet cake.

Ingredients

  • 5 tablespoons/40 grams flour
  • 1 cup/235 milliliters whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon/5 milliliters vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 cup/ 230 grams unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup/200 grams granulated sugar
  • Nutritional Information
    • Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

      682 calories; 48 grams fat; 30 grams saturated fat; 1 gram trans fat; 12 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 60 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams dietary fiber; 53 grams sugars; 3 grams protein; 129 milligrams cholesterol; 106 milligrams sodium

    • Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.

Frosts one cake, with 2 or 3 layers

Preparation

  1. Over medium heat, whisk flour and milk in a small saucepan and heat to a simmer, stirring frequently until it becomes very thick and almost puddinglike.
  2. Remove from heat, whisk in vanilla and salt. Pour into a bowl to allow it to cool completely. Put plastic wrap on the surface to keep a skin from forming.
  3. Use a mixer to cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy, scraping the sides of the bowl occasionally, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on medium, add the cooled flour mixture a little bit at a time. Continue to beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy and resembles whipped cream.

15 minutes

Dining and Cooking