Frosting mix

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword buttercream mix, frosting mix, homemade glaze, pantry baking mix

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings 4 cups

A pantry mix of powdered sugar, powdered milk, cornstarch and vanilla that turns into fluffy buttercream or a quick glaze when you need it. Keep a batch on hand or gift it.

Ingredients

Dry mix

4 cups powdered sugar (confectioners' sugar)
1 cup powdered milk or powdered heavy cream
½ cup cornstarch
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
1 tablespoon vanilla powder or vanilla bean powder

Optional add-ins for the dry mix

Chocolate: ½ cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
Citrus: 1 tablespoon dehydrated lemon, lime, or orange zest powder
Spiced: 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon cloves
Coffee: 1 tablespoon espresso powder

Buttercream

1 cup softened unsalted butter (or shortening for a dairy-free option)
2½ cups dry mix
3 to 4 tablespoons liquid (milk, heavy cream, or flavored syrup)

Glaze

1 cup dry mix
2 to 3 tablespoons water milk, or citrus juice

Directions

Mix the dry ingredients (and any add-in), then store.
Buttercream: beat the butter until creamy, then slowly beat in 2½ cups of the mix on low speed. Add 3 to 4 tablespoons of liquid until it reaches the thickness you want, and whip for 2 to 3 minutes until fluffy.
Glaze: whisk 1 cup of the mix with 2 to 3 tablespoons of liquid until smooth, adding more or less liquid to suit drizzling or spreading.

Notes

Storage: airtight container in a cool, dry pantry up to 6 months. Clumping in humidity is normal; break up before measuring.

Nutrition

Nutrition is an estimate per serving from USDA FoodData Central, for 4 cups; powdered milk or powdered heavy cream (the first choice counted), softened unsalted butter (the first choice counted), liquid (milk (the first choice counted). Brands and portions vary, so use it only as an approximation.