Raspberry frosting is a type of icing normally made with powdered sugar, butter, and fresh raspberries. This topping could also be made by taking a commercially prepared icing and then blending it with fresh or frozen berries. Flavored extract could be used as well, provided the icing base remains very plain. The finished product is typically a light to medium pink color, and very fluffy. It can be used to adorn nearly any type of cake, and some popular choices include chocolate or lemon desserts.
Very few ingredients are needed to make raspberry frosting. Some common inclusions are butter and powdered sugar, in addition to the berries. Vanilla or almond extract could also be used to give the homemade frosting a dash of flavor. A frosting mix or canned icing might also be used, and a plain vanilla type is generally recommended. This is because plain icing typically allows the tart flavor of the fruit to be easily distinguished.
Fresh raspberries are typically preferred because they are normally easier to use. When using fresh raspberries, it can be very important to wash them and remove the stems prior to mixing them. It is not necessary to remove the seeds; after the fruit is blended, they are usually barely noticeable. Any variety of raspberry can be used provided it is fully ripe. Frozen berries could be substituted for fresh, but these should be allowed to thaw completely and then be thoroughly drained before using them to make raspberry frosting.
This cake frosting may be light or dark pink depending on the variety of raspberries and amount of fruit used. It is normally very easy to spread even though it contains blended fruit. Generally speaking, this frosting will be lighter and fluffier the longer it is mixed, especially if a commercial brand is used. The color and texture of raspberry frosting makes it ideal for covering elegant desserts, and many people find the flavor complements lemon or chocolate cake especially well.
After preparing raspberry frosting, it should be used right away because it may lose its consistency after some time. It can be easier to spread this icing if the cake and topping alike are both at room temperature when doing so. Cakes that are frosted with this topping should be covered and stored in a cool, dry area whenever possible to ensure that desserts covered with this icing stay fresh several days after they are prepared.
