Frosting For Red Velvet Cake

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Cuisine: American

A smooth, creamy frosting with a subtle vanilla flavor, perfect for red velvet cakes and other layered desserts that delight with their rich, velvety texture.

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup plain flour
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 cup Crisco
  • 1 stick margarine
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup sugar

Instructions

  1. Mix flour and milk together in a saucepan.
  2. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened, adding a pinch of salt.
  3. Remove from heat and put in refrigerator to cool until cold.

Tips & Substitutions

For a smoother frosting, ensure the milk and flour mixture is completely cooled before adding to the fats. If you prefer a lighter texture, consider substituting half the Crisco with unsalted butter. You can also use powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar for a sweeter finish. This frosting pairs beautifully with Red Velvet Cake, enhancing its rich flavor.

Serving Suggestions

Spread the frosting generously over a cooled Red Velvet Cake for an indulgent dessert. This frosting also works well as a filling for cupcakes or as a dip for cookies. Consider serving alongside a cup of coffee or tea for a delightful afternoon treat.

Storage & Reheating

Store any leftover frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Before reusing, bring it back to room temperature and whip it briefly to restore its creamy consistency. Avoid freezing, as the texture may change upon thawing.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Frosting For Red Velvet Cake contains roughly 486 calories, with 8g protein, 61g carbohydrates, and 24g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (24% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron and protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1940mg per serving (84% of the Daily Value).

486 kcal 24% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 7.6g 15% DV
Total Fat 23.7g 30% DV
Carbs 61.2g 22% DV
Fiber 4.3g 15% DV
Sugar 0.9g 2% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 1939.6mg 84% DV
Potassium 222.9mg 5% DV
Cholesterol 0.1mg

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 2.4mcg
Vitamin C 22mg 24% DV
Vitamin D 0mcg
Calcium 30.6mg 2% DV
Iron 3.3mg 18% DV
Contains Milk Wheat/Gluten

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use butter instead of Crisco?

Yes, you can use butter for a richer flavor. However, using all butter may result in a softer frosting, so you may want to chill it longer before spreading.

How can I make this frosting less sweet?

To reduce sweetness, you can decrease the sugar by about a quarter cup. Additionally, incorporating a bit of cream cheese can balance the sweetness while adding tanginess, perfect for a Red Velvet Cake.

What if my frosting is too thick?

If your frosting turns out too thick, gradually mix in a tablespoon of milk at a time until you reach your desired consistency. Be careful not to add too much at once to avoid making it too runny.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

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