Ermine Frosting Recipe

a spatula dropping ermine frosting onto a red velvet cake

4.56 from 68 reviews

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.

Prep Time30

Bake Time5

Total Time35

Servings:16 servings

Ingredients

12 oz granulated sugar (1 ½ cups)
2 ½ oz all purpose flour (½ cup)
¼ teaspoon salt
12 oz whole milk (1 ½ cups)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
12 oz unsalted butter (room temperature)

Instructions

Combine 12 oz granulated sugar, 2 ½ oz all purpose flour and ¼ teaspoon salt in a saucepan, whisk to combine. Slowly whisk in 12 oz whole 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 1 tablespoon vanilla extract and cool to room temperature.
Cream 12 oz unsalted 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.

Nutrition