A Bit Of Dairy Will Completely Elevate Canned Frosting

If you have an undeniable soft spot for decadent, homemade desserts, then you already know the time and work they take to prepare. When you consider the assortment of ingredients and recipe directions for sheet pan vanilla cake, by choosing store-bought frosting instead of making your own, you won't just save time; you'll also be one step closer to enjoying that first long-awaited bite.

Oftentimes, however, canned frosting can't be mistaken for the real deal. If you've ever felt this way — wishing your packaged frosting had that extra creaminess you only get when you make it from scratch, there are a few ways you can revamp this delicious topping right at home. Adding dairy to store-bought frosting might be precisely what you need to take this canned confection to the next level.t

Freshly whipped cream may be just the right addition if you prefer your frosting to be fluffy and slightly less sweet. Alternatively, cream cheese is an excellent mix-in if you think the generic packaged options could use more heft and complexity. But, before outlining more convenient and unique extras you can use to elevate both the flavor and texture of your store-bought frosting, let's get into the specifics regarding the use of dairy products: Are you only limited to whipped cream and cream cheese?

Before deciding if your store-bought frosting needs some doctoring, start with the canned frosting hack that will give you more bang for your buck (using an electric mixer to increase its volume). Even after vigorously mixing, your frosting may still need a little something extra. If it tastes a tad too sweet, homemade unsweetened whipped cream can serve as the perfect equalizer. Alternatively, you can try adding 8 ounces of room-temperature cream cheese to create a tangier, more full-bodied spread.

When it comes to altering the texture of this premade topping, you have a few convenient substitutes. If you secretly wish those recently purchased containers of chocolate frosting were more reminiscent of traditional American buttercream, use your hand mixer to incorporate 1 to 2 tablespoons of softened butter into the mix for a silky smooth upgrade. If your canned frosting is too thick, simply beat in one tablespoon of milk at a time until you achieve the ideal consistency for slathering atop your favorite baked goods. With whipped cream, cream cheese, butter, and milk, you have an array of options to choose from in the dairy world. However, there are several creative ways to add texture and flavor to canned frosting that will complement your inclusion of dairy.

Besides the various dairy products you can use, there are endless options to choose from when changing the texture or adding a fun new flavor to amp up generic packaged frosting. One easy store-bought frosting hack that will give you a burst of flavor is undoubtedly vanilla extract. Yet, you can use whichever extract suits your fancy for the sweet treat you're making. Besides experimenting with lemon, orange, or peppermint extract, why not try a different flavor with a similar consistency? Leftover coffee can be a fun way to level up your standard chocolate cake frosting, or you can get even more daring and use a tablespoon or two of your favorite liquor: try bourbon for smokiness, Grand Marnier for a nuanced hint of citrus, or to bring dairy back into the mix, some Bailey's for its inherent nutty creaminess.

As far as texture is concerned, add anything that pairs well with the confection at hand. For example, as an alternative to dairy butter, nut butters (Betty Crocker recommends crunchy peanut butter) or even cookie butter will significantly enhance the store-bought stuff.

Clearly, there's more than one way to upgrade store-bought frosting. However, if you're looking for neutral additions to change the balance of sweetness and texture, try some dairy and see how a small amount can transform conventional canned frosting into a truly delicious spread.