Ermine Frosting is the Goldilocks of buttercream. It’s less sweet than American Buttercream and a little sweeter than Meringue Buttercream. This old-fashioned frosting is juuuust right!
All About Ermine Frosting:
Ermine frosting is known by many names; boiled-milk frosting, roux frosting, Heritage frosting and flour frosting to name a few.
Whatever you call it, this is an old-fashioned recipe that starts with a pudding base. Then you add the pudding to whipped butter to make a light, luscious and versatile cake frosting.
Because the sugar is cooked into the “pudding” base, there is no grittiness in this frosting. What you have is a creamy, airy buttercream with a lovely milky flavor.
Ermine is the traditional frosting for Red Velvet cake. I love to use it as the base for Malted Chocolate Frosting and to frost Malted Milk Blondies. Use coconut milk in the pudding to make Coconut Rum Frosting.
Scroll through the step by step process photos to see how to make Ermine Frosting:
FAQs about Ermine Frosting:
- Does Ermine Frosting need to be refrigerated? Yes, because it’s made with milk, Ermine frosting should be refrigerated.
- Can I freeze Ermine Frosting? Yes, it can be refrigerated for up to 3 months. Wrap in a double layer of plastic to prevent it from picking up off-flavors in the freezer. After defrosting, rewhip to revive the buttercream.
- Can Ermine Frosting be tinted? Yes, add food coloring to the pudding base or to the whipped buttercream.
- How long does Ermine Frosting keep? The frosting will keep up to a week in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer.
- How do I thicken Ermine Frosting? If your Ermine frosting is runny either the butter was too soft or the pudding was warm when added to the butter. Chill the frosting briefly and then re-whip.
- Why is my Ermine Frosting curdled and runny? The pudding was probably too warm when added to the butter. Chill the frosting briefly and then re-whip.
- Is Ermine Frosting a crusting buttercream? No, Ermine frosting will not form a crust. It will firm up a bit in the refrigerator. For a true crusting buttercream make American Buttercream.
If you love this recipe as much as I do, I’d really appreciate a 5-star review.
Ermine Frosting
Ermine Frosting is the Goldilocks of buttercream. It's less sweet than American Buttercream and a little sweeter than Meringue Buttercream. This old-fashioned frosting is just right! Because the sugar is cooked into the “pudding” base, there is no grittiness in this frosting.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (12oz, 336g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (2.5 oz, 70g) all purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups (12 oz, 360 ml) whole milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 sticks (12 oz, 336g) unsalted butter, room temperature
Instructions
- Combine the sugar, flour and salt in a saucepan, whisk to combine. Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth. Heat the mixture over medium low, whisking constantly, until it begins to boil.
- Continue to cook and stir for 2-3 minutes until it thickens to a pudding-like texture. Immediately remove from the heat. Transfer to a bowl. Add the vanilla and cool to room temperature.
- Cream the butter until light and fluffy. Add the pudding, a little at a time, until completely incorporated. Switch to the whisk attachment and whip the buttercream until it’s light and fluffy.
- Use immediately to fill and frost your favorite cake.
Notes
One batch of frosting is enough to fill and frost a 9" round cake.
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Ellie N.
This is probably my all time favourite frosting recipe. My grandmother got this from an A&P cookbook and used it on all of her cakes, My mother used it on all of her cakes too, and now it’s my go-to cake frosting. There’s nothing like it out there!
Eileen Gray
I agree. I love Italian Meringue Buttercream, but Ermine frosting does have a special flavor that is irresistible.
Lasuri M.
I have been looking for a frosting that is not as sweet as American Buttercream and now I have found it. can you add cocoa to make it a chocolate version? I am a vanilla lover and my son is a chocolate lover.
Eileen Gray
Yes, in fact I made an amazing Malted Chocolate Version. You can add 1/4-1/3 of a cup of cocoa to make a chocolate version. I would whisk the cocoa into the hot pudding as soon as it comes off the stove. Enjoy!
Lauri M.
PS: your Coconut Rum Frosting is to die for!!!!
Eileen Gray
I have to agree with you there!
Lauri M.
I made the coconut cake with rum frosting for my Mother’s 90th birthday and she was lucky to get a second piece the next day. My family has been cutting back on sweets but not with this cake! Look forward to trying the new frosting recipe on my next cake!
Eileen Gray
That Coconut Rum Cake is truly one of my own favorites. I’m a big coconut (and rum!) fan.
Jacki
Hello!
Can we pipe with this frosting? Or is it too soft to hold shapes? Really looking for a good frosting that it isn’t too sweet and gritty.
Thanks!
Eileen Gray
You can pipe this frosting.
Jacki
Thanks!
Sharlene
Hi, I was searching for best buttercream to use which is less sweeter for my grandfather’s birthday and I came across your website. I think I will try this one and I’d like to know if this one is good as well for decorating? Thank u for sharing your recipe.
Eileen Gray
Yes, you can pipe this buttercream.
Dana
Hi! If I make a layer cake with this can I freeze the entire cake or will the frosting run?
Eileen Gray
Ermine frosting can be frozen. The “pudding” made from flour and water helps stabilize the frosting. It’s a real dream to work with and tastes fantasic.
Dana
Thanks! Just need to make it tomorrow for Saturday and I want to stack the layers and freeze it before I decorate. I’d hate for it to get to the birthday girl and it fall apart.
I’ve made it before I just wasn’t sure if I could freeze a stacked cake
Stacy Harris
Can I add mint flavoring to this icing?
Eileen Gray
Sure!
Sheila
Olá a cobertura permite fazer flores e resiste a climas quentes sem derreter?
Eileen Gray
I ran your comment through a translator and I think you’re asking if this recipe will hold up in hot weather and if you can pipe flowers. You could probably pipe flowers with Ermine Frosting, but I wouldn’t leave it out in hot temperatures. It does have quite a bit of butter and will melt in a warm environment.
Esther
Holla!
Can I combine Ermine frosting with Buttercream frosting?
Eileen Gray
Do you want the Ermine frosting to be sweeter? Ermine is a type of buttercream.