Make store bought frosting better with these 7 easy tips. They will save the day when you don’t have time or when you just don’t feel like making frosting from scratch. This better store bought frosting recipe can be used to make incredible cakes and cupcakes or anything you would use frosting with!
Making cakes and frosting from scratch can feel so overwhelming sometimes. There always seem to be so many extra steps! Sure, it’s definitely worth it—just check out my Vanilla Bean Italian Meringue Buttercream recipe (it tastes out of this world)—but sometimes, I just want cake without all the extra work.
And let’s be real, I know I’m not the only one who craves cake with delicious frosting but doesn’t always want to put in the effort. Maybe this is TMI, but for me, that craving really kicks in during PMS… anyone else?
So if you’re like me and suddenly need cake with some GOOD frosting but don’t want to go all out, these 7 tips to make store-bought frosting taste better are about to change your life! 😉
These are the 7 tips to make store bought frosting taste better.
These tips will seriously improve your store bought frosting! Try a couple at a time and see which ones work best for you.
- Add a pinch of salt
- Add flavoring
- Add whipped cream
- Add in cream cheese for a lighter flavor
- Whip the frosting
- Add textures
- Add freeze-dried ground-up fruit to add flavor
These tips are supposed to help diminish that fake chemically taste of the store bought frosting. You should try using a ocuple to start and work from there. Taste as you go and see what it needs.
For example, if I am making a red velvet cake, I would make sure to add cream cheese because red velvet cake and cream cheese frosting go hand in hand. I would also add some powdered sugar to thicken the frosting and make it easier to pipe or store the cake or cupcakes with.
What store bought frosting brands can I use?
Honestly, any brand will work! That said, pricier frostings tend to taste better right out of the container. Some of the most popular brands you can use include:
- Betty Crocker
- Baker’s Corner
- Duncan Hines
- Simple Mills
- Pillsbury
- Or even Great Value!
Of course, if the frosting doesn’t taste great to begin with, it’ll be harder to improve. But these brands are a good starting point for making store-bought frosting even better!
If you love these frosting secrets, check out the 7 secrets to make boxed pancakes better + mistakes to avoid + recipe !
The 7 secrets to make store bought frosting better!
1. Add a pinch of salt
Store-bought frosting can be super sweet, but a tiny pinch of salt fixes that in no time! It helps cut the sweetness and brings out a richer, more balanced flavor. Such a simple trick, but it makes a huge difference in making canned frosting taste like homemade buttercream!
2.Boost the Flavor
Give your frosting a flavor boost with these easy extract hacks:
- Vanilla frosting? Add 1-2 teaspoons of vanilla extract for a richer, more intense flavor.
- Chocolate frosting? Mix in 1 teaspoon of instant coffee powder dissolved in ½ teaspoon of hot water—it’ll enhance that deep, chocolatey goodness!
- Spiced frosting? Stir in ½ teaspoon of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice for that cozy fall vibe.
- Holiday frosting? Try adding in some peppermint, or even orange zest or extract for a Christmas inspired frosting.
3.Lighten It Up with Whipped Cream
If your can of frosting feels too thick and sugary, just mix equal parts frosting and whipped cream for a lighter, fluffier texture. If it ends up too runny, simply add powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time, until you get the perfect consistency!
4. Mix in Cream Cheese for a Bakery-Style Frosting
Craving that rich, creamy bakery-style frosting? Just blend together:
- 1 can of store-bought frosting
- 8 oz softened cream cheese
- ½ cup powdered sugar (optional, for a thicker consistency)
This combo tones down the sweetness and adds a subtle tang, perfect for red velvet or carrot cake!
5. Whip It for Extra Fluffiness
Want a lighter, airier frosting? Just whip it! Using a stand mixer or hand mixer with a whisk attachment, beat the frosting for 3-5 minutes. This adds air, improves the texture, and even gives you more frosting, win-win!
6. Add textures and flavors
Want to take your frosting up a notch? Add Mix-ins like crushed nuts, shredded coconut, mini chocolate chips, or sprinkles! Try:
- Mini chocolate chips for a fun crunch
- Walnuts or pecans for carrot cake
- Toasted coconut for a tropical vibe
7. Add freeze dried fruit powders for Natural Flavor & Color
For a fruity twist, blend freeze-dried fruit into a fine powder and mix it into your frosting. It naturally adds vibrant color and flavor, no artificial dyes needed! Start with ¼ cup of fruit powder and adjust to taste.
- Blueberries for a rich, flavorful blueberry frosting
- Strawberries for a sweet, berry-packed strawberry frosting
How to Adjust Store-Bought Frosting Texture
- Too Thick? Add 1 teaspoon of milk or heavy cream at a time until it’s just right.
- Too Thin? Mix in 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar at a time until it thickens,perfect for pipeable cupcake frosting!
- Too Sweet? A pinch of salt or a bit of cream cheese helps tone down the sweetness for a more balanced flavor.
How to make store-bought icing pipeable?
Often times store-bought icing can be a little too thin so you will need to thicken it a little more to bring it to that perfect consistency. To do so, add in 1 tablespoon of confectioner’s sugar into the icing and mix it in. Continue doing this until you reach your perfect consistency, adding 1 tablespoon at a time.
I have used this method successfully and was able to frost while cakes and cupcakes with store bought frosting. The result came back gorgeous because I used gel food coloring as well to make an ombre cake!
So yea, these are my tips and tricks to make canned frosting better, fluffier and overall more enjoyable when you’re in a pinch 🙂
Better tasting store bought frosting
The 7 secrets for better tasting store bought frosting
Ingredients
- 1 can store bought vanilla frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a mixing bowl starting with the store bought frosting then the cream cheese, salt, vanilla extract, and the powdered sugar.
- Start whipping the mixture slowly, then increase the speed to high to whip up some air into the frosting and give it a lighter flavor and mouth feel. Whip for 3-5 minutes.
- Use to frost cakes and cupcakes!
If you enjoyed this article on how to make store bought icing better make sure to pin it for later!
Marina
Can I use buttercream store bought frosting with this recipe? Also, the cream cheese has to be at room temperature right?
Chahinez
Yes and yes to both questions 🙂
Norma Hanson
What can you add to the box seven minute frosting?
Chahinez
Things you can add could be toasted nuts and coconut, mini chocolate chips or sprinkles.
Suzan
Going to try on cupcakes tomorrow. Thank you for the great ideas
Chahinez
You’re welcome!
Sue
Have you tried chocolate frosting with cream cheese whipped together? Not sure about the taste
Chahinez
Not that specifically but I’ve tried something similar and it tasted great.
Melissa
These are great ideas!! I used Hershey chocolate icing added a pinch of salt, a teaspoon of instant coffee, about a 1/2 of whipping cream a a half a capful of vanilla. Whipped with a hand mixer….. omg sooooo good you would never guess it’s from a can! Thank you for the awesome tips!!
Chahinez
Thank you so much Melissa for sharing what you did to doctor it up!
Anita
Hi Melissa, when you say “about a 1/2 of whipping cream”, how much do you mean? Do you mean half a pint? The liquid/pourable whipping cream by the milk? The spray can stuff?
Thank you in advance.
Anita
Kathy
so its not necessary to whip the heavy cream first?
Chahinez
Yes you should whip the cream first before adding it in.
Kelly
All 7 secrets to improving store bought icing(s) sound terrific! Just what I needed to know to do finish my baked cupcakes both quickly&tasty now!!! Thank You
Chahinez
You are so welcome!
Doris Graham
Do I use all 7 secret ingredients at once if so how much of each I use? Thank you.
Chahinez
I would only recommend using a few at a time and figure out which ones work best for you and which ones you prefer!
Leez
I LOVE your recipes, I will definitely try everything, because I love trying new recipes. Thank you for sharing💜
Chahinez
I am so happy to hear that Leez!
Chahinez
Lynne
Can you use cream of tarter to canned frosting to make it good for piping flowers?
Chahinez
I, unfortunately, have never tried Cream of Tartar to pipe flowers. Usually, I don’t recommend canned frosting to pipe flowers because they need something with a little more hold.
Chahinez
Nandini
I actually have used canned frosting to decorate on top of home made frosting with great results because of the consistency.
Chahinez
So glad to hear that!
Sandie
can i add cool whip or can whipped cream to can frosting to make it fluffy ?
Chahinez
You can, just keep the frosting chilled.
Chahinez
Kelly
I buy two flavors. Dark chocolate and a milk chocolate and whip together.
Chahinez
That’s genius Kelly!! Will try that too!
Chahinez
Tina
Is this pipeable? Wanting to frost cupcakes..
Chahinez
It is when chiled!
Chahinez
Tegan Atwell
Can I do this by hand? I do not have a mixer…
Chahinez
You can! It’ll just be a little more time-consuming.
Chahinez
celina
When you say to add in some heavy whpping cream… and then in the description you reference equal parts of whipped cream.. do you mean equal parts of already whipped cream or equal parts of heavy whipping cream before its whipped cream? Cuz those are two different things to me… or should I add the store bought frosting into the whipped cream a little before its to the thickness I’m trying to get?
Chahinez
You can add a little heavy whipping cream as you go while the mixer is going at medium-high speed. Once you reach the desired consistency you can stop. When doing this, make sure your canned frosting is cold.
Chahinez
Brenda Hines
Very good
Chahinez
Glad you enjoyed this!