A cupcake is somehow incomplete without frosting, isn’t that so? And the top 3 of the most popular cupcake frosting recipes are just what you need to take your baking creations to the next level.
Why bother with adding frosting to my cupcakes?
Frosting not only increases the visual appeal of your cupcakes but is essential to the overall taste of the final product. It adds flavour that, ideally, compliments the taste of the cupcake itself.
Many beginner cupcake home cooks are reluctant to add frosting to their cupcakes. If you are like me, that might be because you are afraid if the frosting will turn out well. After all, one doesn’t want to ruin a good cupcake with bad frosting. Yet again, you shouldn’t be worried about that – the top three most popular cupcake frosting recipes are uncomplicated to prepare!
How to choose the most suitable cupcake frosting?
Usually, a cupcake recipe includes instructions for preparing the cupcake batter and separate instructions for preparing the frosting. However, it might happen that you come across a recipe that doesn’t include cupcake frosting preparation directions. Or you may want to jazz things up and top your cupcakes with a frosting that differs from the one featured in the recipe. The best way to proceed is to look for tastes that go well together. For example, chocolate and salted caramel, apple and cinnamon, vanilla and strawberry and so on. In case you are looking for some unexpected combinations, check out this post.
As a general rule of thumb, your cupcake and your frosting should be tasty enough eaten separately.
Which are the top 3 most popular cupcake frosting recipes?
Having said all, it’s time to see which are the top three most popular cupcake frosting recipes.
Buttercream Cupcake Frosting
This is by far the most popular cupcake frosting recipe and it’s easy to figure out why – it’s simple and delicious! Also, it is It’s very perfect for almost all kinds of cupcakes.
To make it, you need only three ingredients: butter, cream (or milk) and powdered sugar. Basically, you simply mix everything together until you get a thick, fluffy mixture. Eager to try it? Make it perfect by reading the full recipe for the classic buttercream frosting for cupcakes. You may also want to check out my secrets to making the perfect buttercream cupcake frosting.
Another great thing about this cupcake frosting , and according to me – the best thing about this cupcake frosting recipe, is that it can have an almost unlimited number of different flavours. The popular one is the vanilla buttercream frosting but other flavours can easily be prepared as well – strawberry buttercream, chocolate buttercream and so on. In fact, there’s no limit when it comes to buttercream frosting flavors for cupcakes!
Cream Cheese Cupcake Frosting
The beauty of the cream cheese cupcake frosting is that it can be make sweet or savoury. The classic recipe is sweet and tangy at the same time, making it a great choice if you are looking for something lighter than the traditional buttercream option.
There are three ingredients needed for this frosting recipe: cream cheese, butter and sugar. Similar to the buttercream frosting, it can be make with a ton of different flavours. Here’s the full recipe and some additional flavour options.
Whipped Cream Cupcake Frosting
Creamy, delicious and light- these are three words that best describe a whipped cream frosting, according to me. Although, I am not a fan of whipped cream in general, I have to admit that this is one of the most popular cupcake frosting recipes.
You can make great whipped cream frosting by using only two ingredients: heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar. Similar to the buttercream and cream cheese cupcake frostings, it can be prepared with different flavour variations: vanilla, chocolate, lemon, mint and so on.
It’s a totally beginner friendly cupcake frosting recipe and you can read everything you need to know for making the perfect whipped cream cupcake frosting here.
Why these three most popular cupcake frosting recipes are also my personal favourites?
Why? indeed? First of all, all three recipes require minimum number of ingredients. Second, they are totally beginner friendly. And last but not least, each allows for lots of flavour variations and even experimentation.
I hope you will try it and check out some of the other cupcake recipes on my blog.
Cheers,
Suzie F.