This recipe yields a light, fluffy, and incredibly creamy frosting made with the surprising addition of instant pudding mix. This “Creamy Dream Frosting” offers a stable and easy-to-spread alternative to traditional buttercream or whipped cream frostings, with a delightful texture that is both smooth and airy. The secret ingredient, instant pudding mix, not only contributes to the frosting’s stability but also adds a subtle flavor that complements a variety of cakes and cupcakes. The process involves whisking together the instant pudding mix with cold milk until it thickens, then folding in softened butter and whipped topping (like Cool Whip) to create a light and voluminous frosting. The instant pudding helps to prevent the frosting from becoming too soft or melting easily, making it a great choice for warmer temperatures or for cakes that need to sit out for a while. The whipped topping adds to the airy texture and lightens the overall richness of the frosting. The result is a frosting that is smooth, spreadable, and holds its shape well, making it ideal for frosting cakes, cupcakes, cookies, or even as a filling for pastries. The flavor can be easily customized by using different flavors of instant pudding mix, such as vanilla, chocolate, butterscotch, or lemon, allowing for a wide range of delicious variations. This Creamy Dream Frosting is particularly appealing for its simplicity and the consistently smooth and appealing results it delivers, making it a go-to recipe for both novice and experienced bakers. The image shows two separate scenes. The top scene depicts a clear glass bowl containing a light yellow powder (likely instant pudding mix) and a white granular substance (possibly powdered sugar or more pudding mix). A thin stream of creamy, light yellow liquid (likely milk or a combination of milk and melted butter) is being poured into the bowl. The bottom scene shows a slice of rich, dark chocolate cake layered with a generous amount of light yellow, swirled frosting on a white plate with colorful polka dots. The frosting appears light and airy, and the cake has two distinct layers.
The texture of Creamy Dream Frosting is light, fluffy, and incredibly smooth, with a melt-in-your-mouth quality. It is stable enough to hold its shape when piped or spread.
The flavor profile is subtly sweet and carries the underlying flavor of the instant pudding used (in this case, likely vanilla). The addition of butter adds a hint of richness, and the whipped topping contributes to a light and airy taste.
Creamy Dream Frosting is a simple and stable frosting made with instant pudding mix, milk, butter, and whipped topping, resulting in a light, fluffy, and delicious topping for cakes and other desserts.
The preparation involves whisking instant pudding with milk, then folding in softened butter and whipped topping until light and creamy.
Ingredients:
- 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix (or other flavor of your choice)
- 1 ¾ cups cold milk (whole milk or 2% recommended for best results)
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 8 ounces frozen whipped topping (such as Cool Whip), thawed
Optional Flavor Enhancements:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (if using vanilla pudding)
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (if desired)
- A few drops of food coloring (gel food coloring recommended for vibrant colors)
- Zest of ½ lemon or orange (for citrus-flavored frosting)
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (for chocolate frosting, may need to adjust milk slightly)
Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber spatula
Instructions:
- Combine Pudding Mix and Milk: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and the cold milk until the pudding starts to thicken. This should take about 1-2 minutes. Ensure there are no lumps.
- Let Pudding Set: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 5-10 minutes to allow the pudding to fully set and thicken. This step is crucial for the frosting’s stability.
- Cream the Butter: While the pudding is setting, ensure your butter is softened to room temperature. In a separate large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer) on medium speed until it is light and creamy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Incorporate the Pudding into the Butter: Once the pudding is set, add it to the bowl with the creamed butter. Beat on medium speed until the pudding and butter are fully combined and the mixture is smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is evenly incorporated.
- Fold in the Whipped Topping: Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping into the pudding and butter mixture using a rubber spatula. Fold until just combined and the frosting is light and fluffy. Be careful not to overmix, as this can deflate the whipped topping and result in a less airy frosting.
- Add Optional Flavorings (If Desired): If you are using any optional flavor enhancements like vanilla extract, almond extract, food coloring, or citrus zest, gently fold them into the frosting until evenly distributed. For cocoa powder, sift it in gradually and fold until smooth, adding a little more milk if the frosting becomes too thick.
- Use Immediately or Chill: The Creamy Dream Frosting is ready to use immediately to frost your cakes, cupcakes, or other desserts. If you are not using it right away, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Before using chilled frosting, you may need to let it sit at room temperature for a short time and then gently stir it to restore its smooth consistency.
Tips for Success:
- Use Cold Milk: Cold milk helps the instant pudding set quickly and properly.
- Softened Butter is Key: Ensure your butter is softened but not melted. It should be at room temperature for easy creaming.
- Don’t Overmix: When folding in the whipped topping, mix gently until just combined to maintain the frosting’s light and airy texture.
- Flavor Variations: Experiment with different flavors of instant pudding mix to create a variety of frosting flavors. Chocolate pudding will yield a chocolate frosting, butterscotch pudding will give a butterscotch flavor, and so on. You may need to adjust the amount of milk slightly depending on the pudding flavor.
- Coloring: Gel food coloring works best as it is more concentrated and won’t add too much liquid to the frosting. Add it a drop at a time until you reach your desired shade.
- Piping: This frosting is generally stable enough for piping simple designs. For more intricate piping, you may want to chill the frosting for a bit to firm it up slightly.
Enjoy this easy and delicious Creamy Dream Frosting! It’s a versatile frosting that is sure to become a favorite.