Never Fail Icing

Prep: 10 min Cuisine: American

Never Fail Icing is a creamy, versatile frosting perfect for cakes and cupcakes. Its smooth texture and rich flavor come from a blend of cream cheese and margarine, making it a favorite among bakers for its reliability and delicious taste that suits any celebration or casual treat.

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Ingredients

  • 1 stick margarine
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 8 oz. cream cheese

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, beat margarine and cream cheese until smooth and well combined.
  2. Gradually add powdered sugar until reaching desired thickness.
  3. Mix well to ensure a smooth and creamy consistency.

Tips & Substitutions

For a richer flavor, consider using unsalted butter instead of margarine; it enhances the overall taste. If you're looking for a lower-calorie option, you can substitute the cream cheese with a low-fat cream cheese alternative. Be sure to sift the powdered sugar to avoid lumps, ensuring a smooth icing. This icing pairs beautifully with Scotch Chocolate Cake for a delightful dessert experience.

Serving Suggestions

This icing is perfect for topping cakes, cupcakes, or even cookies. For an elegant presentation, pipe the icing onto baked goods using a piping bag. It also works well as a filling for layered cakes or in-between cookies. Consider serving alongside Fat-Free Banana Surprise Muffins for a delightful brunch treat.

Storage & Reheating

Store any leftover icing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Before using, let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes to soften. If the icing has thickened too much, you can re-whip it to restore its creamy consistency, adding a bit of milk for desired thickness.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Never Fail Icing contains roughly 1138 calories, with 4g protein, 31g carbohydrates, and 113g fat. It is a good source of vitamin A (19% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1033mg per serving (45% of the Daily Value).

1138 kcal 57% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 4.2g 8% DV
Total Fat 113.1g 100% DV
Carbs 31g 11% DV
Fiber 0g
Sugar 29.6g 59% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 1032.6mg 45% DV
Potassium 85.7mg 2% DV
Cholesterol 51mg 17% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 171.2mcg 19% DV
Vitamin D 0.3mcg 1% DV
Calcium 44.1mg 3% DV
Iron 0.8mg 4% DV
Contains Milk

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 regular butter instead of margarine?

Yes, you can use regular unsalted butter in place of margarine for a richer flavor. Just make sure to let the butter soften at room temperature before mixing it with the cream cheese, as this will help achieve a smooth consistency.

How can I make the icing less sweet?

To reduce the sweetness of the icing, you can decrease the amount of powdered sugar or add a pinch of salt to balance the flavors. Additionally, incorporating a small amount of lemon juice can add a refreshing tang that cuts through the sweetness.

Is this icing suitable for vegan diets?

This recipe is not vegan due to the use of cream cheese and margarine, which may contain dairy. However, you can substitute both with vegan cream cheese and a plant-based margarine to create a vegan-friendly version of this never-fail icing.

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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