Can you use flour to thicken buttercream icing?

Question

I am making a cake today for my son's birthday and am making homemade buttercream icing. Come to find out I am short on powdered sugar. So I added marshmallow fluff and cream cheese to it to give it some consistancy. Not thinking before I did it, that marshmalow fluff has corn syrup in it, I had the opposite effect happen and it only went thinnner.

So I was wondering if I could use flour or cornstarch to thicken up the icing at least so it would stay on the cake and not totally run off....without making it taste like flour?

Answer 1

Ew, no, dear, don't use flour. Try some regular sugar. Or, pour a cup of sugar into your food processor, and let it run for a few minutes. That will give you a really fine sugar that should thicken up the frosting.

If all else fails, run to the store, or ask a neighbor to borrow some powdered sugar!

Answer 2

Flour Buttercream

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Can you use flour to thicken buttercream icing?
I am making a cake today for my son's birthday and am making homemade buttercream icing. Come to find out I am short on powdered sugar. So I added marshmallow fluff and cream cheese to it to give it some consistancy. Not thinking before I did it, that marshmalow fluff has corn syrup in it, I...

Answer 4

Flour is not the best choice if it is to stay raw...taste and difficult to digest. Cornstarch is meant to be cooked also. If you add either one, you could try cooking the mixture over a double boiler...not directly on the burner. You make a paste with the cornstarch in a small amount of cold water and mix in a little of a time. Stir as you cook.

I admit I have not tried cooking to save a frosting that is meant to be made cold...but this is a theory and I would try it as a very last resort. Someone above suggested use as you have it as a glaze and also that refrigeration may thicken.

Answer 5

Don't add flour. Last time I saw a recipe, buttercream icing consisted of powdered sugar and shortening. To make it thicker add more shortening, to make it sweeter, add more powdered sugar (put 1/2 cup of regular granulated sugar in the food processor and blend for about two minutes stopping to stir it up a couple of times).

Answer 6

You can try refrigerating it but, no, I wouldn't use flour as a thickener for frosting. I will jeopardize the taste of the icing.

Wish I could be of more help.
Good luck!

Also, you could try adding some powdered cocoa. It won't be white frosting, but it could help thicken it to spreading consistency.

Answer 7

First you should try whipping it on High speed. This may get you the consistency that you need. If that does not work....You need 1 cup heavy whipping cream. Whip it up stiff, and fold it in a bit at a time til you get the consistency and taste that you desire. Be sure to keep the cake in the fridge.

In the future use this basic recipe...its fool proof and YUMMY!

INGREDIENTS
2 cups butter, softened
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 tsp Vanilla
1 cup confectioners' sugar
DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, Whip the butter and Vanilla on high speed, occasionally scraping down the sides of the bowl. Whip until double in volume. This takes a very long time, approximately 10 minutes.
While still whipping, drizzle in the heavy cream. Continue whipping until the mixture is stiff, approximately 2 to 4 minutes.
Add 1/2 of the confectioners sugar and whip until smooth. At this point, you can taste the frosting and determine if you would like to add more sugar to sweeten to taste.
Thickly frosts top and sides of two 9 inch cakes.

Answer 8

I would not add flour or corn starch, both of them really have to be cooked. Go on line and look for a substitute. Good luck

Answer 9

Try refrigerating it for a while. That usually does the job. I have heard of certain kinds of buttercreams that call for flour...but try chilling it first. Probably your best option at this point.

Answer 10

Absolutely Not! No to cornstarch and no to flour.....powdered sugar is the necessary ingredient for icing....please people give the straight goods when baking anything....Thanks...
Happy Birthday to your son!