Snowy Winter Frosting

This simple wintry white frosting is the perfect topping for not just carrot cakes...see carrot cake recipe HERE! ... it's also great as a basic frosting or filling for using say in a victoria sponge cake with a layer a raspberry jam, or in a lemon or orange cake with the addition of some lemon and orange flavourings. You can just replace the vanilla extract with any other flavour....you can even do coffee, lime, or try using liqueurs such as creme de menthe, grand marnier, Baileys...this list is endless so be adventurous and experiment with your favourite flavours. Changing your flavours means you can also change your colours...add a drop of red colour for baby pink etc.

you will need.....
this will cover a dozen or so little cakes / muffins or one big cake

80g unsalted butter
150g full fat cream cheese
560g icing sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract / essence ...or whichever flavour you are using
1 tablespoon full fat milk ....optional

method

• sieve the icing sugar twice through a very fine sieve, this helps in achieving a silky smooth icing
• place the butter in a mixing bowl and beat until it is really soft and fluffy
• scrape the bowl out with a spatula and transfer the butter to a clean bow and set aside for a few minutes
• in the mixing bowl, place the cream cheese and vanilla, add the icing sugar and mix very gently until the icing sugar is blended with the cheese....be warned, if you accidentally mix it on high speed you could have a snowfall in your kitchen!
• add the softened butter into the cream cheese mixture and beat all together really well until you have a well blended, silky smooth, winter white frosting......takes a couple of minutes

You can either use the frosting straight away if filling a cake, or allow it to chill in the fridge for about 10 minutes if you want to use it in a piping bag to decorate cakes or buns. 

You can store your frosting in a well sealed container in the fridge, just remember to give it a beat in the mixer before using it, to bring it back to its pliant softness.