A More Heat Resistant Frosting?

Because of the shortening in the recipe, this fluffy chocolate frosting is a bit more heat resistant than butter-based frostings. This is always going to be the case with frostings that contain shortening. This is especially helpful for summertime gatherings!

Some frostings contain no butter at all, and rely entirely on shortening. People have mixed feelings about this. Those who live in very hot or humid climates find it to be a necessity, although losing the butter means that you have to rely more on extracts for making up for the flavor lost from omitting the butter.

For me, I usually use an all-butter frosting or a recipe like this one that contains at least some butter.  

There is no such thing as Buttercream that will not melt

Please don't mistake heat resistant for heat-proof! ;0) Sadly, there is no such thing as a frosting that will not melt.

If you leave a frosted cake out in the heat or directly in the sun for an extended time, bad things are going to happen. If you have an outdoor event on a hot day, keep the cake cool until close to the time of serving.

However, it's nice to have an option that can withstand warmer temperatures a bit better. Plus, it is SO simple to make.

Enjoy the recipe!

 

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Fluffy Chocolate Frosting

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A delicious, fluffy chocolate frosting, perfect for piping. The shortening in the recipe makes it a bit more heat resistant than an all-butter recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 stick (113g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups ( 285 grams) vegetable shortening
• 7 cups (793 g) powdered sugar
• 1 ¼ c. (86 grams) cocoa powder, loosely fill your measuring cup
• ½ c. (114g) water or milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

Instructions

1. Cream butter and shortening until creamy.
2. Blend in the vanilla. Add powdered sugar, cocoa and most of the water. Mix throughly on medium speed for approximately 6 - 8 minutes until creamy and smooth.
3. Add your remaining milk (or water) as necessary. Scrape the sides of the bowl occasionally during the mixing process.
4. Recipe can be doubled
5. This is a crusting buttercream, it pipes great, and works well with the viva paper towel method of smoothing (if you're going for that super smooth finish).

Our "all butter (no shortening)" version of Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

As long as  we're on the subject chocolate frostings, I have to give a shout to our fantastic Classic Chocolate Buttercream recipe! (This recipe does not contain shortening, tastes wonderful, and also pipes perfectly)

I've made this recipe countless times over the years, and it's the chocolate frosting that I use most often, assuming I don't need our fluffy heat-resistant option. 

It's good to have options, make sure to save them both! ;0)