Betty Crocker chocolate frosting is a beloved baking staple in many households. As one of the most popular ready-made frosting options on the market, Betty Crocker delivers a chocolatey, sweet and creamy frosting that is convenient, affordable and easy to use right out of the container. However, like most ready-made frosting, it does have some drawbacks when compared to homemade frosting. The artificial flavors and preservatives can leave an aftertaste, and the texture is not as light and fluffy as a from-scratch buttercream.
Luckily, with just a few simple tweaks and ingredient swaps, it’s easy to transform store-bought Betty Crocker chocolate frosting into a frosting that tastes like it came fresh from a bakery kitchen. Read on for tips, tricks and easy hacks to make Betty Crocker chocolate frosting richer, creamier and tastier.
Should You Make Chocolate Frosting From Scratch Instead?
Before jumping into how to improve store-bought frosting, an important question to consider is whether it’s worthwhile to make chocolate frosting completely from scratch instead. Here are the main pros and cons of homemade versus store-bought:
Benefits of Homemade Chocolate Frosting:
– Ability to control ingredients – no preservatives, artificial flavors, etc.
– Often tastier, richer flavor from ingredients like chocolate, cocoa powder, butter and vanilla
– Creamier, lighter texture
– Fun to customize flavors and consistency to preference
– Sense of satisfaction from whipping up entirely homemade
Drawbacks of Homemade:
– More time consuming to make, especially whipping by hand
– Requires more effort and dishes to wash
– Can be tricky to get consistent results each time
– Doesn’t last as long as preservatives in store-bought
Benefits of Betty Crocker Store-Bought:
– Extremely quick and convenient
– Consistent taste and texture each time
– Affordable and accessible at any grocery store
– Keeps well in fridge for longer than homemade
– Easy to use right out of container
Drawbacks of Store-Bought:
– Artificial flavors and preservatives
– Texture can be overly stiff
– Not as rich in chocolate flavor
– Limited ability to tweak taste and texture
Overall, homemade chocolate frosting does yield tastier results than store-bought, but takes more effort. Betty Crocker frosting offers convenience at the cost of less natural quality. Depending on the goals for the particular recipe or project, tweaking store-bought frosting can provide a good middle ground.
Tips for Improving Betty Crocker Chocolate Frosting
Luckily, with a few easy tips and ingredient swaps, it’s simple to make Betty Crocker chocolate frosting taste just as delicious as a from-scratch buttercream. Here are some of the best tips:
1. Add More Chocolate
One of the biggest improvements you can make is to bump up the chocolate flavor. Betty Crocker frosting tastes quite sugary sweet, while lacking deep, rich chocolate notes. Stirring in extra chocolate chips, cocoa powder or melted chocolate transforms the entire flavor profile for the better. Try adding 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 cup extra mini chocolate chips or 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder.
2. Use Milk Chocolate Instead of Semi-Sweet Chips
The default chocolate chips used are semi-sweet, but switching to milk chocolate chips creates an incredibly creamy, smooth chocolate frosting flavor. The higher fat and milk content in milk chocolate melts into the frosting beautifully. Stir in 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 cup milk chocolate chips in place of semi-sweet.
3. Soften to Room Temperature
If your frosting is cold and stiff straight from the fridge, let it sit at room temperature to soften up before using. Cold frosting clumps more and can rip up delicate cakes or cupcakes. Softened frosting spreads smoothly and has a lighter, fluffier texture.
4. Add A Pinch of Salt
A tiny bit of salt balances sweetness and enhances chocolate and cocoa flavors. Start with 1⁄4 teaspoon of salt and add to taste. Sea salt flakes provide fun flavor and crunch.
5. Splash in Extracts
Pure vanilla, almond or coffee extract add extra flavor dimension without thinning the frosting too much. Start with 1⁄4 teaspoon and increase amounts slowly according to taste.
6. Thin with Cream or Milk
If the frosting texture seems too thick, thin it with a splash or two of heavy cream, half and half or milk to reach the perfect consistency. Add a tablespoon at a time until smooth and spreadable.
7. Fluff with Butter
For lighter, fluffier frosting, beat in a tablespoon or two of softened butter. The extra fat makes the texture less dense.
8. Replace Shortening with Butter
Swapping some or all of the shortening for real butter improves flavor and texture. If you go all butter, be aware it won’t pipe as easily. Replace up to half the shortening for great taste with workability.
9. Whip in Sweetened Condensed Milk
For ultra-indulgent frosting, whip in a few tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk. The creamy richness takes it over the top!
10. Mix in Peanut Butter
Who doesn’t love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter? Swirl in 3-4 tablespoons creamy peanut butter for a crowd-pleasing flavor twist.
Recipe and Method to Make Improved Betty Crocker Chocolate Frosting
Follow this simple recipe and technique for outrageously delicious chocolate frosting starting with that familiar tub of Betty Crocker:
Ingredients:
– 1 container (16 ounces) Betty Crocker Rich & Creamy Chocolate Frosting
– 1⁄2 cup milk chocolate chips
– 2 tablespoons butter, softened
– 1⁄4 cup sweetened condensed milk
– 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1⁄4 teaspoon sea salt
Method:
1. Allow frosting to sit at room temperature to soften.
2. Meanwhile, melt the chocolate chips either in the microwave or stovetop. Let cool slightly.
3. Add the melted chocolate chips, butter, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla and salt to the container of Betty Crocker frosting.
4. Using a hand mixer, beat ingredients together until completely smooth and combined.
5. If desired, thin with an extra tablespoon or two of milk to reach ideal spreading or piping consistency.
6. Frost cupcakes, cakes or cookies as usual. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt before frosting sets for a pretty finish.
7. Store improved frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks. Re-whip before reuse to restore smooth texture.
With just a few extra ingredients, the cheap convenience of Betty Crocker chocolate frosting is transformed into a silky, chocolatey delight. Feel free to customize and experiment with your own favorite mix-ins like peanut butter, coffee or mint extract. With these easy tips, you can skip the effort of whipping up chocolate buttercream from scratch, while still enjoying bakery-quality flavor.
Common Questions and Answers
Still have some questions about improving store-bought chocolate frosting? Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:
What is the best way to thin Betty Crocker chocolate frosting?
For the best flavor, thin with small amounts of milk, cream or even coffee. Start with 1 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached. Avoid water as it alters the flavor.
Can you make Betty Crocker frosting healthier?
Yes! Reduce some of the sugar by adding in unsweetened cocoa powder or dark chocolate. Swap butter for half the shortening. Avoid adding extra sugar.
How long does homemade frosting last compared to store-bought?
Homemade frosting lasts 1-2 weeks refrigerated while Betty Crocker or other store-frostings last 2-3 weeks unopened. Both should be stored in airtight containers.
What are some of the most popular Betty Crocker frosting hacks?
Adding peanut butter, Nutella swirls, extra chocolate, butter and extracts are some of the best ways to elevate Betty Crocker frosting. Whipping in whipped cream is popular too for lighter frosting.
Can you freeze Betty Crocker chocolate frosting?
Yes, it freezes well up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reusing. Whip with a mixer to restore smooth, spreadable texture. Add milk a tablespoon at a time if too thick.
What can I use if I don’t have Betty Crocker frosting?
Duncan Hines, Pillsbury and other store-bought brands work too. For homemade, try a chocolate buttercream made with butter, powdered sugar and cocoa. Adjust consistency as needed.
Does chocolate frosting need to be refrigerated?
Yes, it’s best stored in the fridge to prevent spoilage and maintain texture. Bring to room temperature before using for easier spreading. Chocolate frosting can be left out up to 4 hours.
Is chocolate frosting better with milk chocolate or dark chocolate?
It depends on your taste – milk chocolate is sweeter and more kid-friendly. Dark chocolate provides a more sophisticated, bittersweet flavor. Semi-sweet strikes a good balance.
Tips for Working with Improved Chocolate Frosting
Once you’ve upgraded that tub of Betty Crocker into an extra decadent chocolate frosting, here are some tips for handling, using and decorating like a pro:
– Avoid over-mixing
Too much mixing once cooled can cause air bubbles. Gently fold in additions instead of beating vigorously.
– Let it come to room temperature
Never frost directly from the fridge – let it warm on the counter first for at least an hour until spreadable.
– Use an offset spatula
An offset spatula makes frosting cupcakes, cakes and other treats easy. The angled design fits in tight spots.
– Work quickly
Don’t take too long frosting treats or the frosting may start to set before you’re done shaping or piping.
– Add depth with drizzles
Top frosted goodies with pretty drizzles of melted chocolate, salted caramel or peanut butter for extra flavor.
– Use buttercream dammers
These tiny strips of plastic or metal help contain frosting on cupcakes for neater results.
– Dust with cocoa or powdered sugar
Lightly sprinkling cocoa powder or powdered sugar before frosting sets adds polished style.
– Play with decorating tips
Use various piping tips to create fun textures and shapes like rosettes, ribbons, dots and more.
– Add dimension with sprinkles
Sprinkle sanding sugar, sprinkles or candies while frosting is still wet for pretty sparkle.
Foolproof Frosting for Any Occasion
With these handy tips and easy ingredient swaps, you can transform basic Betty Crocker tubs into smooth, creamy chocolate frosting that looks and tastes incredible. Whether you need cupcake frosting for a school bake sale, a layer cake for a birthday party, or holiday cookies, this improved chocolate frosting works for any occasion.
Compared to whipping up chocolate buttercream from scratch, tweaking store-bought frosting cuts major time and effort. The next time you need chocolate frosting in a hurry, DIY it with Betty Crocker and a few extra ingredients. You’ll be shocked that such gourmet results came from a simple tub!
