Cream Cheese Frosting

November 4, 2024
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I've experimented with various cream cheese frosting recipes, but since discovering this particular one, I've stuck with it. I've kept the recipe unchanged from the original and have included a link to the original recipe in this post.

Ideas, Advice and Suggestions

Butter –To ensure the butter is soft, let it stand for thirty minutes to an hour and a half. Avoid using the microwave as it can cause uneven melting. I usually opt for salted butter and adjust by reducing the added salt accordingly. 
Cream cheese – Just as butter needs to be soft for mixing, it won't blend well if it's not. If detailed piping isn't a concern, spreadable cream cheese is a suitable alternative.
Vanilla extract or essence – I use essence or paste if I have it.
Salt – I slightly decrease the amount if I'm using salted butter.
Icing sugar – Powdered sugar is a versatile ingredient that you can adjust to taste, but I've found that 4 cups is the right amount for me.

Recipe Template

Cream Cheese Frosting

Recipe Image

Preparation Time: 10 min

Total Time: 10 min


Servings: 1 Cake about 20 cupcakes

Level of Difficulty: Easy

The Origin of the Recipe: sugarspunrun.com

Diet: Gluten Free

The Best Cream Cheese Frosting.

Ingredients

    • 113g (½ cup) butter, softened
    • 226g to 250g cream cheese, softened (brick-style, not spreadable)
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or essence
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 500g (4 cups) Icing sugar

    Instructions

    • Combine butter and cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer (or you may use an electric mixer) and beat until creamy, well-combined, and lump-free.
    • Add vanilla extract and salt and stir well to combine.
    • With mixer on low, gradually add powdered sugar until completely combined.
    • Use to frost completely cooled cake or cupcakes.

    Notes

  • Using brick-style cream cheese results in a robust and pipeable frosting that retains its shape well, similar in texture to buttercream. It's excellent for decorative purposes!
  • Numerous cream cheese frosting recipes call for less sugar, resulting in a thinner consistency; the icing, as described, is not as sweet as buttercream. However, for an even less sweet option, you can reduce the sugar further and adjust to taste, though a minimum of two cups is necessary.
  • Frosting that is overly thick and sweet can result from mistakenly using too much powdered sugar, which should be weighed or measured in the same manner as flour. To correct frosting that has become too thick, gradually add heavy cream or milk, a splash at a time, until you achieve the preferred consistency.
  • This icing can be kept in the fridge for up to a week

Silky Carrot Puree

November 4, 2024
Home »  2024 November 04
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I discovered a carrot cake recipe that called for baby food, but I preferred not to use it. So, I searched for a carrot purée recipe and found a suitable one.

Ideas, Advice and Suggestions


Carrots - Peeled, ends removed – This recipe is ideal for using older carrots, though any type and size can be used, provided they are peeled. Unpeeled carrots often retain a bitterness after cooking, which you wouldn't want in your final dish. So far, I have only used orange carrots.
Water – Tap water will work well
Butter – Margarine may be used as a substitute, though the flavour will differ somewhat from the original.
Salt – Use the suggested quantity or slightly less, and make adjustments as you blend the puree.
Lemon Juice – During the processing stage, you may use either bottled or fresh ingredients as they have varying acidity levels. Add one tablespoon, taste, and then decide if a second one is needed.

Recipe Template

Silky Carrot Puree

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Preparation Time: 20 min

Cooking Time: 20 min

Total Time: 40 min


Servings: 6

Level of Difficulty: Easy

The Origin of the Recipe: Silky Smooth Carrot Purée

Diet: Not specified

A smooth carrot purée can serve as a versatile base for your meal or as a vibrant side dish. Additionally, it can provide the foundation for a delightful, silky carrot cake.

Ingredients

  • ½ kg carrots peeled, ends removed
  • ¾ cup water
  • 4 tablespoons butter (56g)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt or to taste
  • 1 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions

  • Slice the carrots thinly, crosswise, to a thickness of half a centimeter.
  • In a medium saucepan, combine carrots, water, butter, and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer until the carrots are tender, about 20 minutes. Keep the saucepan covered to prevent the water from evaporating; the butter and salt in the water add flavour.
  • When the carrots become soft and tender enough to mash with a fork, use a slotted spoon to transfer them into a blender. Ensure there's at least ¾ cup of liquid remaining in the pan. Begin by adding ½ cup of this liquid to the blender, along with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
  • Blend until the mixture is smooth. Should you require additional liquid, incorporate the reserved cooking liquid. Season to taste with salt and adjust the lemon juice according to your preference.
  • This puree can serve as a side dish with meals or be used in recipes for Silky Carrot Cake Bars, Silky Carrot Cupcakes, or Silky Carrot Soaked Cupcakes.

Notes

  • You'll find a difference in acidity between bottled lemon juice and fresh lemon.
  • If the carrot purée is too thin, return it to the pan and simmer over medium heat until it reduces. When you can see the bottom of the pan after drawing a spoon across, the purée is ready
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