BROWN SUGAR FROSTING



Brown sugar frosting pairs beautifully with so many cake flavors, including chocolate, vanilla, pumpkin, and spice cake. The brown sugar gives the frosting a rich, caramel-like sweetness that makes it a delicious alternative to traditional buttercream.

You can make this frosting with butter, shortening, or a combination of the two. Butter gives the frosting the best flavor, while shortening helps it hold up better in warm weather. A half-butter, half-shortening combination gives you a little of both.

FROSTING INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter (or 1 cup crisco) or (1/2 crisco and 1/2 butter combo)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 to 4 tbsp of milk or milk substitute

FROSTING DIRECTIONS

  1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter (or shortening) and brown sugar for 2–3 minutes, until light, fluffy, and well combined. 
  2. Add the vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of the milk and mix until combined.
  3. Gradually add the powdered sugar, about 1 cup at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition.
  4. Increase the mixer speed and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
  5. Add additional milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. If it becomes too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.

Print Recipe

BROWN SUGAR FROSTING

Yield: Frosting for 24 cupcakes or 9x13 cake


INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter (or 1 cup crisco) or (1/2 crisco and 1/2 butter combo)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 to 4 tbsp of milk or milk substitute

DIRECTIONS
  1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter (or shortening) and brown sugar for 2–3 minutes, until light, fluffy, and well combined. 
  2. Add the vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of the milk and mix until combined.
  3. Gradually add the powdered sugar, about 1 cup at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition.
  4. Increase the mixer speed and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
  5. Add additional milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. If it becomes too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.