How Can I Thicken My Strawberry Buttercream Frosting?

Buttercream frosting is used to add a sweet, buttery flavor to all types of confections, from a child's birthday cake to a classic white wedding cake. The frosting is made from a combination of powdered sugar, butter or shortening and vanilla extract and is either spread, piped on or used as a filling in cakes and cupcakes.A strawberry buttercream frosting that is too thin will not lay correctly on the confection and is thickened without altering the taste.

Things You'll Need

• Spoon
• Powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Stir the buttercream frosting with a spoon. The consistency should be thick enough to spread evenly on the cake without being too runny. When lifted with a spoon, the frosting should also stick to the spoon and then slowly fall back into the bowl.

2. Add 1/2 tbsp. powdered, or confectioner's sugar, to the frosting and stir. Test the frosting again and if the desired consistency is not reached, add more confectioner's sugar.

3. Continue to add the powdered sugar until the strawberry buttercream frosting reaches the correct consistency. The frosting is now ready to be spread onto your dessert. If you accidentally add too much powdered sugar, pour a few drops of water into the icing to thin it out.

References

• Reader's Digest: Basic Cookie Frosting Recipe; Meaghan Mountford
• Baking 911: Decorating 101: Icing and Glazing