10+ Old Fashion Icing Recipes for Timeless Treats

Old-fashioned icing recipes bring a touch of nostalgia and sweetness to your baked goods. Whether you are decorating a birthday cake or simply adding a finishing touch to cookies, these classic icings can elevate your treats.

Discover how simple ingredients can create delightful flavors and textures that remind you of home baking.

Many of these recipes are easy to follow and require just a few common items you might already have in your kitchen. These traditional icings are perfect for any occasion and can add a delicious twist to your favorite desserts.

Embrace the art of old-fashioned icing and enjoy the satisfaction of homemade confections.

Buttercream Frosting

Buttercream frosting is a classic choice for cakes and cupcakes. It’s smooth, sweet, and easy to make. You only need a few simple ingredients to whip up this tasty treat.

The basic recipe includes butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. You can mix it up by adding different flavors or colors.

To start, cream the butter until it’s light and fluffy.

Then, gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing at low speed. Once combined, add milk and vanilla until you reach your desired consistency.

Buttercream frosting is perfect for spreading or piping onto your favorite baked goods. Enjoy decorating your desserts!

Ingredients

• 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar
• 2-4 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter on medium speed until fluffy.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing on low speed to prevent mess.
3. Once combined, pour in milk and vanilla extract.
4. Mix until smooth and creamy. Adjust with more milk if needed.

2) Royal Icing

Royal icing is perfect for decorating cookies and cakes. It gives a smooth finish that hardens and holds its shape well. You can use it for piping intricate designs or flooding cookies.

To make royal icing, you need just a few ingredients. It’s simple and fun to work with. Once it’s dried, your treats will look professional and festive.

Royal icing dries quickly, making it great for holiday cookies and gingerbread houses. You can easily add food coloring to match any theme or celebration.

Ingredients

• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 3 large egg whites or 5 tablespoons meringue powder
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice or vinegar
• Water (as needed for consistency)

Cooking Instructions

1. Beat the egg whites until frothy.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing well.
3. Add lemon juice and beat until stiff peaks form.
4. Adjust with water for desired consistency.
5. Use immediately or store in an airtight container.

Cream Cheese Icing

Cream cheese icing is a delightful choice for adding flavor to your cakes and cupcakes. It has a creamy texture and a slight tang that makes it special. You can use it on a variety of desserts, especially carrot cake or red velvet cake.

To make this icing, you will need full-fat, brick-style cream cheese for the best taste. Unsalted butter adds richness without overpowering the flavor. Mixing these ingredients creates a smooth and spreadable icing.

You can adjust the sweetness by adding powdered sugar. If you want the icing to be a bit runnier, add a touch of milk or lemon juice. This flexibility allows you to achieve your desired consistency.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cream cheese (full-fat, brick-style)
• ½ pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• Optional: milk or lemon juice (to adjust consistency)

Cooking Instructions

1. Soften cream cheese and butter.
2. Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
3. Add vanilla and mix well.
4. Gradually add powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
5. Adjust consistency with milk or lemon juice if needed.

4) Seven-Minute Frosting

Seven-minute frosting is a classic and delicious choice for cakes. It’s light, fluffy, and has a sweet flavor similar to marshmallow cream. This frosting is perfect for topping your favorite desserts.

To make seven-minute frosting, you whip sugar, egg whites, and water in a double boiler. You only need about seven minutes of beating for the mixture to become fluffy and shiny.

You can adjust the flavor by adding vanilla or other extracts. A pinch of salt can help balance the sweetness as well.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup water
• 2 large egg whites
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. In a double boiler, combine sugar, cream of tartar, salt, and water.
2. Whisk the mixture over simmering water until sugar dissolves.
3. Add egg whites and beat with a mixer for seven minutes.
4. Add vanilla extract and mix until fluffy.
5. Spread the frosting on your cooled cake.

5) Ganache

Ganache is a rich and smooth icing made from chocolate and cream. It can be a delightful topping for cakes, cupcakes, or even pastries. You can adjust the thickness depending on how you use it.

To make ganache, you simply heat heavy cream and pour it over chopped chocolate. Let it sit for a few minutes to melt the chocolate fully. Before spreading, allow it to cool until it reaches your desired consistency.

You can also flavor ganache with extracts or even add a touch of coffee for depth. It spreads beautifully on warm cakes, creating a moist crumb.

Ingredients

• 8 oz (225 g) dark chocolate, chopped
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream

Cooking Instructions

1. Chop the chocolate and place it in a bowl.
2. Heat the heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat until it simmers.
3. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate.
4. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes without stirring.
5. Stir until smooth and glossy. Use immediately or let cool to thicken.

6) Glaze Icing

Glaze icing is a simple and tasty way to finish your baked treats. It adds a sweet shine that makes cookies, cakes, and pastries look beautiful.

To make glaze icing, you typically use powdered sugar and milk. This combination creates a smooth texture. You can adjust the thickness by adding more sugar or milk.

For a little extra flavor, consider adding vanilla or lemon juice. This can brighten up the sweetness and add a nice twist.

Drizzle the glaze over your cooled treats for a lovely finishing touch. It sets up nicely, giving your dessert an appealing shine.

Ingredients

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk (or more for desired consistency)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix powdered sugar and milk until smooth.
2. If using, add vanilla extract or lemon juice.
3. Adjust the consistency with more sugar or milk as needed.
4. Drizzle the glaze over your cooled baked goods.

7) Boiled Icing

Boiled icing is a classic frosting that adds a light and fluffy texture to your cakes. It has a sweet, marshmallow-like flavor that many people love. This icing is perfect for cakes like angel food or chocolate sheet cakes.

To make boiled icing, you’ll need sugar, water, vinegar, egg whites, and vanilla. It’s easy to prepare and gives a delightful finish to your baked treats.

When making this icing, you’ll boil the sugar and water until it reaches a specific temperature. Then, you pour the hot syrup into beaten egg whites and mix until stiff peaks form. The result is a smooth, shiny icing that holds its shape well.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• 2 egg whites, room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix sugar, water, and vinegar in a saucepan.
2. Boil slowly without stirring until it reaches 236°F (113°C).
3. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.
4. Carefully pour the hot syrup into the egg whites while beating continuously.
5. Add vanilla and mix until the icing holds stiff peaks.

Fondant Icing

Fondant icing is a popular choice for cake decorating. It creates a smooth and elegant finish, making your treats look professional. You can easily mold it into shapes or roll it out to cover cakes.

To make fondant, you need sugar, water, and cream of tartar. These ingredients combine to form a thick paste when cooked. It’s essential to heat the mixture until it reaches 238°F (114°C), which is known as the soft-ball stage. Be careful not to stir while boiling.

Once it cools, you can knead it until it’s pliable. This technique helps you achieve that perfect consistency for covering your cakes or forming decorations.

Ingredients

• 4 cups sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine sugar, water, and cream of tartar in a saucepan.
2. Stir and gradually bring the mixture to a boil.
3. Boil without stirring until it reaches 238°F (114°C).
4. Remove from heat and let it cool.
5. Knead the cooled mixture until smooth and pliable.

9) Swiss Meringue Buttercream

Swiss meringue buttercream is a smooth and creamy frosting that is perfect for cakes and cupcakes. It’s made by heating egg whites and sugar, then whipping them until they form fluffy peaks.

This frosting has a rich, buttery flavor without being overly sweet. It’s less sweet than traditional American buttercream, which makes it a favorite for many bakers.

To make this frosting, start by whisking the egg whites and sugar over a pot of simmering water. Once the mixture reaches 160°F (70°C) and the sugar dissolves, remove it from heat.

Then, beat the meringue until it cools and forms stiff peaks. Gradually add softened butter to create a silky texture. This frosting holds its shape well, making it great for decorating.

Ingredients

• 4 large egg whites
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat egg whites and sugar in a bowl over simmering water.
2. Whisk until the mixture reaches 160°F (70°C).
3. Remove from heat and beat until stiff peaks form.
4. Slowly add softened butter, mixing until smooth.
5. Stir in vanilla and salt.

10) American Buttercream

American Buttercream is a classic icing that’s simple and delicious. You’ll usually find it on cakes and cupcakes. It’s made with just a few ingredients, making it easy to whip up at home.

To start, you need butter and confectioner’s sugar. Mixing these two gives you that creamy texture. You can add milk or cream to thin it out. A splash of vanilla will enhance the flavor too.

Beat the butter until it’s light and fluffy. Gradually add the sugar while continuing to mix. This helps avoid a sugar cloud in your kitchen. If the frosting seems too thick, add a little milk. Beat until smooth and achieve your desired consistency.

American Buttercream is perfect for decorating. It holds its shape well, making it great for piping. You can also add colors to match your celebration.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups (480 g) confectioner’s sugar
• 2-4 tablespoons (30-60 ml) milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Beat the butter in a large bowl until creamy.
2. Gradually mix in the confectioner’s sugar until combined.
3. Add milk, one tablespoon at a time, to reach your desired texture.
4. Then, mix in vanilla extract and beat until fluffy.