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How To Make Store-Bought Frosting Less Sweet

How To Make Store-Bought Frosting Less Sweet: Tips & Tricks

Last Updated on April 17, 2024 by Shari Mason

Rephrased: Buying frosting from a store can be a convenient option to add the finishing touch to your baked goods. However, some people may feel that the sweetness of store-bought frosting is overpowering and may affect their enjoyment of eating them.

The good news is that there are several ways on how to make store-bought frosting less sweet without compromising its texture or flavor. 

Using a few simple techniques and ingredients, you can create a frosting that perfectly complements your baked goods while keeping the sweetness in check.

7 Ways On How To Make Store-Bought Frosting Less Sweet

1. Add Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

Hand Holding Jar of Cocoa powder

Adding unsweetened cocoa powder to store-bought frosting is a great way to make it less sweet. The bitterness of the cocoa powder can help balance out the sweetness of the frosting while also adding a rich, chocolatey flavor. 

“Whipped ganache is a great gateway icing if you’re slowly working into the vast world of egg-based buttercreams. It’s just a few ingredients far superior in flavor to the basic butter/sugar/milk frosting.”

– Claire Saffitz, American Food Writer 

Mix a small amount of unsweetened cocoa powder [1] with your store-bought frosting to make your frosting less sweet with cocoa powder. Gradually add more cocoa powder until you reach the desired level of sweetness. 

Mix thoroughly to ensure the cocoa powder is evenly distributed throughout the frosting. This technique works especially well with vanilla frosting but can also be used with flavors like chocolate or cream cheese.

2. Use Lemon Juice

Using lemon juice is another excellent way to make store-bought frosting less sweet. The acidity in lemon juice can help cut through the sweetness of the frosting and add a bright, citrusy flavor. 

Add a small amount of lemon juice and mix thoroughly to make your frosting less sweet with lemon juice. Gradually add more lemon juice until you reach the desired level of sweetness. 

Remember that too much lemon juice can make the frosting too sour, so it’s important to taste as you go.

3. Use Cream Cheese

Cream Cheese on a Bowl

Using cream cheese is a delicious way to make store-bought frosting less sweet. The tanginess of the cream cheese can help cut through the sweetness of the frosting and add a creamy, rich flavor. 

Mix a small amount of softened cream cheese with your store-bought frosting to make your frosting less sweet with cream cheese. Gradually add more cream cheese until you reach the desired level of sweetness. 

Mix thoroughly to ensure the cream cheese is evenly distributed throughout the frosting.

Read: Do You Have To Refrigerate Frosting After Opening?

4. Use Salt

Salt is a simple but effective way to make store-bought frosting less sweet. Salt helps balance the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the frosting. 

To make your frosting less sweet with salt, start by adding a small pinch of salt to your frosting and mix thoroughly. 

Gradually add more salt until you reach the desired level of sweetness. Be careful not to add too much salt, as it can overpower the flavor of the frosting. 

5. Add Espresso Powder

Adding espresso powder is another excellent way to make store-bought frosting less sweet. The bitterness of the espresso powder can help balance out the sweetness of the frosting and add a rich, complex flavor. 

To make your frosting less sweet with espresso powder, mix a small amount of espresso powder with your chocolate frosting. Gradually add more espresso powder until you reach the desired level of sweetness. 

Mix thoroughly to ensure the espresso powder is evenly distributed throughout the frosting. This technique works especially well with chocolate frosting but can also be used with other flavors like vanilla or cream cheese.

6. Use Sour Cream

Using sour cream [2] is another great way to make store-bought frosting less sweet. The tanginess of the sour cream can help cut through the sweetness of the frosting and add a creamy, tangy flavor. 

To make your frosting less sweet with sour cream, mix a small amount of sour cream with your store-bought frosting. Gradually add more sour cream until you reach the desired level of sweetness. 

Mix thoroughly to ensure the sour cream is evenly distributed throughout the frosting.

7. Add Whipped Cream

Whipped Cream on a Glass Bowl

Adding whipped cream is a light and fluffy way to make store-bought frosting less sweet. The whipped cream can help lighten the sweetness of the frosting while also adding a fluffy, airy texture. 

To make your frosting less sweet with whipped cream, start whipping heavy cream until it forms stiff peaks. Then, fold the whipped cream into your store-bought frosting until it reaches the desired level of sweetness. 

Be careful not to over-mix, as this can deflate the whipped cream.

FAQs

u003cstrongu003eHow to make the store-bought frosting more fluffy?u003c/strongu003e

One way to make the store-bought frosting more fluffy is to whip it with an electric or stand mixer for several minutes until it becomes light and airy. You can also add a small amount of milk or heavy cream to the frosting to help make it lighter and fluffier.

u003cstrongu003eCan you add butter to store-bought frosting?u003c/strongu003e

Adding butter to the store-bought frosting enhances its flavor and texture. Softened butter can be mixed into the frosting to give it a more prosperous, creamier taste and a smoother consistency.

Final Thoughts

There are several ways to make store-bought frosting less sweet without sacrificing flavor or texture. 

Adding ingredients like unsweetened cocoa powder, lemon juice, cream cheese, salt, espresso powder, sour cream, or whipped cream can help balance the sweetness and enhance the overall taste of the frosting. 

Experimenting with these techniques and adjusting the sweetness level to your preference is essential. 

With these tips, you can easily customize store-bought frosting to your liking and create delicious desserts without being overwhelmed by sweetness.

References:

  1. https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-cocoa-powder-520351
  2. https://www.southernliving.com/food/dairy/how-to-make-sour-cream
Shari Mason

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