Classic Ermine Frosting

Sep 14, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Frostings fillings toppings Origin: Madagascar Vanilla: Extract Medium

Cupcakes piped with classic ermine frosting

A classic classic ermine frosting for cakes and cupcakes. Best with Madagascar vanilla (rich, creamy, classic); any pure vanilla works. Makes about 3 1/2 cups; frosts 24 cupcakes or a two-layer 8-inch cake.

Prep 20 min

Cook 7 min

Cool 1 hr

Total 1 hr 27 min

Yield 24 cupcakes

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

cupcakes

1.0 cup (240.0 ml)whole milk
⅓ cup (40.0 g)all-purpose flour
1.0 cup (200.0 g)granulated sugar
⅛ tspfine sea salt
1.0 cup (227.0 g)unsalted butter, 2 sticks, softened but cool
2.0 tsp (10.0 ml)VanillaGoods pure vanilla extract

Make it at home

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Instructions

In a medium saucepan, whisk the flour, sugar, and salt, then gradually whisk in the milk until smooth.
Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture bubbles and becomes as thick as pudding, 5 to 7 minutes.
Scrape into a shallow bowl, press plastic wrap onto the surface, and cool completely to room temperature, about 1 hour (it must not be warm).
Beat the butter on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Add the cooled paste 1 spoonful at a time, beating well after each, then beat in the vanilla. Beat until light and whipped, 2 to 3 minutes.

Tips

If the frosting looks soupy, the paste was too warm: chill the bowl for 10 minutes and beat again.
Vanilla swap: use vanilla bean paste 1:1 in place of the extract for visible specks, or the seeds of 1 vanilla bean for each tablespoon of extract.
Best vanilla for this: Madagascar (rich, creamy, classic), or Mexican (spiced, warm, woodsy). Any pure vanilla works.
Storage: Refrigerate for up to 5 days; bring to room temperature and rewhip before using.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make classic ermine frosting?

Plan on 20 minutes of prep and 7 minutes of cooking, plus 1 hour to cool. It makes about 3 1/2 cups; frosts 24 cupcakes or a two-layer 8-inch cake.

How should I store classic ermine frosting?

Refrigerate for up to 5 days; bring to room temperature and rewhip before using.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

use vanilla bean paste 1:1 in place of the extract for visible specks, or the seeds of 1 vanilla bean for each tablespoon of extract.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 24 servings this recipe makes.

113 Calories / serving

8.0g Fat

10.2g Carbs

0.6g Protein

8.9g Sugar

Whole recipe (24 servings): ~2712 cal · 192g fat · 245g carbs · 14g protein · 214g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 113 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 21 min·1.2 mi·~2450 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 15 min·0.8 mi·~1500 steps
Moderate cycling 11 min·2.2 mi
Swimming laps 16 min
Jogging 11 min·0.9 mi·~1750 steps
Stair climbing 10 min·~900 steps
Dancing 18 min
Bodyweight circuit training 11 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 26 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.