The mixer giveaway is still going on through noon today and winners will be announced Friday. Meanwhile, I wanted to re-post this recipe again for a slightly controversial frosting that I love so much I just made it again this week. And I realize it’s strange to call frosting controversial, but the comments on the original post did show mixed reactions and results. I happen to love it. Let me know if you’ve tried it yet!
From the TK Blog archives – March 2010
I’ve been intrigued with this frosting recipe for months, not just because of its alluring title, but also because if its ingredients. Five tablespoons of flour? In frosting? Let’s just say my interest was piqued.
I finally got around to making it yesterday evening; Marlboro Man’s grandmother has some old friends staying at The Lodge and I wanted to take them a treat. So I whipped up this frosting, slapped it on some chocolate cupcakes…and wound up considering not sharing them with the guests because it was so delicious.
You owe it to yourself to make this frosting sometime in your life.
You’ll just have to trust me on this.
Thank you, MissyDew, for submitting!
Here’s how you make it:
First things first: I made chocolate sheet cake cupcakes. They’re the best cupcakes around.
Here’s the recipe:
The Best Chocolate Sheet Cake (or Cupcakes!) Ever
Let your cupcakes (or cake) cool completely.
Begin by pouring 5 tablespoons of flour into 1 cup of milk. I used whole milk because I can if I want.
After adding the flour, whisk it together until combined, then place the saucepan over medium heat. Whisk it as it heats up and thickens, and stop when the mixture is very thick.
Cool the mixture completely.
The mixture will be very, very thick.
Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla to the cooled flour/milk mixture.
Stir it around to combine.
Pour one cup of sugar into a bowl with one cup of butter.
Whip it around until it’s light and fluffy, scraping the bowl once or twice to make sure it’s all mixed well.
Add the cooled flour/milk/vanilla mixture. Make sure it’s not the least bit warm!
I’m bossy. Sorry.
Next, just whip it on medium-high until the mixture resembled whipped cream.
This was slightly tricky for me, as I was afraid of overbeating the mixture and causing everything to start breaking down and falling apart. I’d say this is about 45 seconds of pretty hard beating.
And then it was time for the rubber to meet the road.
This was spread with a big spatula…
This was spread with a dinner knife. The frosting definitely has a whipped cream consistency; it’s not thick like a decorator icing.
Before I allowed myself to taste it, I made some sprinkled ones for my punks.
This makes for a crunchy cupcake!
And now…for the moment of truth.
THE VERDICT: Okay. Let me just explain something to you. After I took this bite, I looked around for the hidden camera. I was certain someone was playing a trick on me. This frosting is so UNBELIEVABLY divine, I almost couldn’t believe what was happening to me. The consistency is light, the flavor indescribably delicious, and a perfect complement to the rich chocolate cake. And don’t just take my word for it—after my daughter took her first bite, she looked at me and said “WHAT is this FROSTING?”
Even she knew she was in the presence of greatness.
Here’s the frosting recipe:
That’s the Best Frosting I’ve Ever Had
Note: I would probably recommend making the frosting on the same day you intend to serve it.
Thank you to MissyDew for sharing such a great recipe!

































forkandpencil on Thursday, October 7
The first time I made it, it was gooey and lumpy and I was crushed. I decided to give it another shot and I realized that I hadn't whipped it nearly enough! The 2nd time it was beyond belief good!101
Diane on Thursday, October 7
I've made it three times. The first time, the frosting separated, even though I was careful not to overbeat it. I actually wondered if something was wrong with the butter, because the mixture was grainy from the start. The other two times I've made it have been wonderful. I had the help of some 13 year old girls the third time, and they were blown away by how much better this tasted than anything out of a can. It tastes like whipped cream...yum!102
LJ on Thursday, October 7
We tried it the other day...tastes great! My mom used to make a very similar (if not the same) one for red velvet cake. YUM103
Kate on Thursday, October 7
This is the same recipe i use in my whoopie pies. I'm not a huge marshmallow creme fan so i used this recipe and took them to work. It's amazing and everyone loved them. The recipe that I use is out of a local cookbook that my family has used for years and it's called Twinkie Cake filling. Every year for my birthday growing up I would ask my mom to make 'my cake'. Devils Food chocolate cake, filling is either vanilla ice cream and cherry pie filling layered or this frosting and cherry pie filling layered. The whole cake was frosted in this frosting and kept in the freezer. It is the most amazing frozen cake! Take out of the freezer a few minutes before you serve. Absolutely amazing!104
Tallymomma on Thursday, October 7
Funny enough I put this recipe down as my FAVES just recently:) I loved it and it does take just a moment more for the details but it was well worth it.105
Manny on Thursday, October 7
Every time I make this, everyone seriously raves! It's actually a little bit embarrassing ;) Hey Ree, I know how much you like Starbucks... try adding two packets of the new instant Starbucks Via when you whip the butter... I made a chocolate mocha cake last week that was AMAZING!106
Emily on Thursday, October 7
I made this the first time you posted the recipe and it was delicious, light, amazing, perfect... except that it looked weird. It didn't look like whipped cream, it didn't seem to all come together. It had flecks all through it of deeper white, if that makes any sense. I don't know what I did wrong, I was careful not to overbeat it... oh well. I'll have to give it another shot, because it WAS pretty fantastically delicious.107
Mayra W. on Thursday, October 7
So while reading the recipe i was surprised to recognize the ingredients. They are the same ingredients, just different amounts and mine is strained, that I use to make the filling of my Cookies and Cream cupcakes. i just add some crushed oreos and fill a chocolate cupcake with it. People LOVE the filling.108
Tracy L. on Thursday, October 7
This sounds like a very similar recipe that my girlfriend uses to fill her whoopee pies! YUM!!109
Tonita on Thursday, October 7
I think I see some cupcakes and frosting in my future...as long as I don't go into labor first!110
Judy H on Thursday, October 7
Must be a regional thing. My family has been making this frosting for at least 45 years. This is the frosting we've always used on red velvet cake. You can use part shortening so that the color is whiter instead of cream colored. I don't understand why someone would put crunchy sprinkles on it. Pretty, but seems like it would work against that amazing texture.111
knockerboysmom on Thursday, October 7
I made it. It was good, but I'm a HUGE fan of buttercream frosting. I don't think it was as good as buttercream frosting.112
Jo on Thursday, October 7
I have used this recipe for years (early 60's) and my mother and grandmothers before that. It is definitely a very old recipe and at one time was called gravy icing because of the cooked milk and flour. It is the original icing for Red Velvet Cake. It can be a little tricky at first but getting the flour and milk mixture smooth and thick enough is the first key, making sure the flour and milk mixture is completely chilled is the second key, creaming the butter and sugar completely is the third key and finally creaming the butter and sugar mixture with the chilled milk and flour mixture fully until light and fluffy; which can take a while depending on the kind of mixture you are using. It is well worth the effort as there is no icing/frosting like it! I made a lemon cake for a friend's birthday this summer and used this icing except use lemon extract instead of vanilla extract, put lemon curd inbetween the layers and it turned out absolutely delicious. It is a very versatile icing.113
Kathy Layton on Thursday, October 7
I've made this for years. Its the type of frosting they would put on a cake from Michigan called a Sanders bumpy cake. It was a combination of a moist dark chocolate cake, then they would pipe the frosting in great big lines across the cake and cover it in a heavenly chocolate ganache OMG it was to die for!! It was always my choice for my Birthday!114
Melanie O on Thursday, October 7
I have tried to make this frosting once... and it became an ugly separated (albeit delicious!!) mess. What did I do incorrectly to get this outcome? I want to make it again, but I can't deal with how it looks.115
Amy on Thursday, October 7
I've heard this called ermine frosting before... what a cool name!116
Stacy H on Thursday, October 7
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this frosting!! I made it for some Apple Pie Cupcakes that I found here! YUM!!!! I've made it for Red (or green St. Patrick's Day) Velvet cake. It really IS the best frosting I'VE had!! Every time I make it,I have to share the recipe!117
T Missroon on Thursday, October 7
My grandfathers, either one. oh the questions id love to ask!118
FLWendy on Thursday, October 7
This is my mom's recipe with the addition of solid shortening for half of the butter. I know you don't like bananas Ree, but this frosting is *amazing* on a banana cake! A little tip for cooling the white sauce, put it in the fridge with a little plastic wrap right on the top of the mixture to keep a skin from forming.119
pattyk on Thursday, October 7
This is the frosting my mom always used on her Waldorf Astoria Chic Red Velvet cake. You have to split the layers and fill them with this frosting, then spread the rest all over the cake. Of course you would probably need to triple this amount. It absolutely makes the cake! It is also so beautiful when you cut it. Perfect for Christmas or Valentine's day. One difference is that we used superfine sugar or run your granulated sugar through your food processor so it blends with the sugar better.120
pattyk on Thursday, October 7
p.s. last sentence should read _so the sugar blends with the butter better.121
Gloria Mc on Thursday, October 7
Okay, you are evil. I will HAVE TO try this frosting now!122
FLWendy on Thursday, October 7
I've read a few comments about it tasting like flour. You have to cook off the "flour taste" just like making gravy. Make sure it bubbles for a little while after it thickens, but keep whisking to keep it from burning on the bottom. If you're having difficulty with it in hot weather, I add another tablespoon of flour if I make it during hot/humid weather.123
SoupAddict Karen on Thursday, October 7
Weird timing ... I made this frosting for the first time last night, flavoring it with a little rose extract. I was surprised how light it was! Very good.124
Cassidy on Thursday, October 7
I just wanted you to know that the original post of this frosting is the reason I found you, Ree! So basically I have this frosting to thank for the rest of my life. (Oh and I did make it, it's amazing! Not overly sweet, light, creamy, good)125
tanya tingle on Thursday, October 7
I have made this recipe for over 30 years......It's what I use on my Red Velvet cakes.....some call it Waldorf Astoria icing. We keep the cakes (split and ice between all four layers) in the refrigerator and it keeps for a week...... It is wonderful........the reoux (flour milk mixture) MUST be completely cooled (stick in freezer) before adding to butter/sugar.126
tennreps on Thursday, October 7
Have been making this recipe for 40 years. It always gets rave reviews and everybody wants to know what is in it. We used it on the cakes we make for our grooms. And we also always use it on coconut cake. Totally fab127
Becki Sue on Thursday, October 7
I made this frosting for the first time two weeks ago. I put it on top of Martha Stewart's peanut butter cupcakes. They were delicious. I'm not sure if this recipe will completely replace my favorite traditional butter cream, but I will definitely make it every once in a while for a change.128
Theresa on Thursday, October 7
My stepdaughter had a school assignment to do for her high school video class lasst week and she and her assignment buddies came over and videoed a cooking segment making this recipe in our kitchen...the girls LOVED it and they got an A on the assignment.129
ConContwin2 on Thursday, October 7
I made this once a few months ago & it was very good! Now it looks like I'm gonna have to make it again. Thanks for the reminder. :)130
Dawn LaFountain on Thursday, October 7
This frosting has been in my family for years! It is also awesome on Red Velvet Cake, or Banana Nut Cake. Lovely!131
Anne on Thursday, October 7
It is an "old" icing. Years ago my husband got the recipe from his mom for the red velvet cake that was always made for his b'day as a child. It had a similar frosting and I doubted it, too. But when I made it, I was hooked. It's great. His recipe calls to beat the cooled flour and milk mixture until it's the consistency of whipped cream. Then separately cream the butter & sugar & add the vanilla to the butter and sugar. Then I beat the two mixtures together until it is super smooth & light!!132
Rhiannon on Thursday, October 7
ok, i have to make it and try it out for myself.133
Julie on Thursday, October 7
This is almost identical to my frosting recipe. The only difference is that I also use 1 cup Crisco and 1 tablespoon butter flavoring. WONDERFUL!134
Teresa on Thursday, October 7
This is the frosting my mom always put on red velvet cake. I was so shocked when I found out other people used cream cheese frosting. I haven't been brave enough to try that.135
Kristin on Thursday, October 7
I LOVE this frosting, especially with mexican vanilla! Everyone at work went crazy for it. It is best the first day but I also like the cupcakes a couple of minutes out of the fridge when the frosting has softened just a little but is still firm. I pull it off the cupcake and eat it by itself!136
Leslie on Thursday, October 7
My grandmother made a similar frosting for her red velvet cake. It is the only icing I enjoy. SO light and fluffy and not so sweet.Perfect in my opinion! She used shortening in her recipe, but I have an aversion to it now, I'll make note of this butter version.137
JeCaThRe on Thursday, October 7
How funny that this should appear now. I just made this last weekend for my son's birthday. He wanted a vanilla cake with vanilla frosting. It turned out great. My friends declared the cake "worth the calories" which I think of as high praise. Pictures here: http://breadwinesalt.blogspot.com/2010/10/birthday-blessings.html138
Cassandra on Thursday, October 7
This is the recipe my grandma always made for chocolate cake. It was the only way I would eat chocolate cake as a kid! I found it a few years ago, after my grandma passed away and love that I can have her cake again. Definitely best on chocolate!!!!!139
Emily Granger on Thursday, October 7
These look so, so delicious. I have a quick sugar question! Did you use granulated, caster or icing sugar?140
Alyson on Thursday, October 7
I did try this icing a couple of months ago. Sorry to say but we did not like it at all. It tasted too much like flour to me. Maybe I'm just used to buttercream icing!141
Nancy on Thursday, October 7
I have made this a few times and it never looks like Ree's photos. a cookbook I have calls this "gravy frosting". everytime I tried it the frosting was 'grainy' looking and never was smooth or fluffy. I've tried under-beating, over-beating, I've tried it with powdered sugar (from an old cookbook recipe), and although my husband loves it, I don't see what the fuss is all about. I like frosting with fewer steps/ingredients, unless it's coconut-pecan frosting for german chocolate cake :)142
Mary Hussman on Thursday, October 7
Tried it, loved it, won't make any other kind!143
Pamela on Thursday, October 7
Awesome! Thanks so much for this great recipe! You are most prolific with great recipes, but this one is a big hit with me, as I'm not typically a frosting fan, and this is great stuff!!!144
Cindy on Thursday, October 7
Has anyone added food coloring to this frosting? How did it turn out? I always use a gel/paste coloring to keep from watering down the frosting. But, I'm not sure how it would work with a whipped cream-consistency frosting. Anyone?145
Cami M. on Thursday, October 7
My mom used to make a “Wacky Cake” (so named because it had vinegar in it, but no eggs or milk) and frost it with this frosting, only she used Crisco instead of butter. It is the BEST chocolate cake and frosting EVER! I am so hungry for it now…146
Jo on Thursday, October 7
For Emily Granger: Emily, when I first started making this in the '60's I used regular granulated sugar and I now use superfine granulated sugar when I can find it. I hope this helps!147
Jenn F on Thursday, October 7
I am making ginger bread tonight -I haven't had this frosting yet, but am always game for a new frosting. Does anyone whose tried this one think it would pair well with gingerbread cupcakes?148
Severina on Thursday, October 7
That's the only frosting that I grew up with. Back in the day, we never had cream cheese. I agree...still the best149
Leeanna on Thursday, October 7
I tried this a month or so ago and it did out come out well. :( It was very clumpy. I will try it again! My husband actually thought it was for the ice cream we planned on making and it put it in the ice cream maker. Did not turn out well there either. hehe! Thanks for the awesome recipe! Will need to practice!150