Cake Icing without Icing Sugar

I love, love, love wikihow. This article was written by wikihow staff and offers four fantastic ways to frost a cake without the luxury of fancy icing sugar, also known as powdered sugar.

Let’s face it, powdered sugar is a specialty item in an overcrowded pantry, expensive if you’d rather spend grocery money on everyday food. And sugar in general is something that we no doubt overuse in our diets, fully 10x more than my grandmother’s generation during WWI.

That sounds like flum-a-diddle and nonsense, so let me put this in more realistic terms. Average annual sugar consumption at the turn of the last century was only 11 pounds per year. Today, average sugar per person, per year, is over 100 pounds. A lot of it sneaks into prepared foods, our sodas, breads, condiments, and (of course) treats and snack food. But, if you make your own – that hidden sugar can be eliminated or reduced in recipes.

And we might have more fun if frosting is saved for the really special occasions, like birthdays and holidays. At least our waists won’t mind… and a waist is a terrible thing to mind!

A simple cake, sans frosting, might do for your afternoon tea. You probably put sugar in the batter, so that cake is still a treat.

For dessert cake after a Sunday meal with family, reduce the sugar and keep the celebration style with sifted sugar over a paper doily for a stenciled-lace effect.

And for that birthday party? Frost only the top, where the candles go. Between layers try homemade jam or fresh fruit for added wholesome yumminess. Sugar isn’t everything to a cake, but it is important when we celebrate the sweet things in life!

Have homemaking tips you’d like to share? Add a comment to this post or email: happy@homemakersguild.org ~ We’d love to hear from you!