How to Make Flavoured Cake Frosting

Transform your cake frosting and buttercream into a flavour-packed masterpiece with Oil-Soluble flavour concentrates. Whether you're baking for a special occasion or simply want to elevate your cake creations, our high-quality flavourings make it easy to add delicious taste profiles to your frosting.

What you’ll need

Buttercream Frosting Base
✦ 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
✦ 3–4 cups powdered sugar
✦ 1–2 tbsp milk or heavy cream
✦ 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
✦ Oil-soluble flavours from Universal Flavours (Flavour West, FlavourArt, Lorann, Colour Mill)
✦ Mixing bowls and electric mixer
✦Spatula

Step-by-step guide

Build

Beat 1 cup of softened butter with an electric mixer for 3–4 minutes until light and fluffy. Gradually add 3–4 cups of powdered sugar, mixing on low speed. Add 1–2 tablespoons of milk or cream and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, if desired. Mix until smooth and creamy.

Flavour

Choose an oil-soluble flavour concentrate. Start with ¼–½ teaspoon per cup of buttercream, following the product's recommended usage rate. Mix thoroughly, taste and adjust gradually to achieve your preferred flavour intensity.

Finish

Whisk the buttercream on high for a few seconds until smooth, fluffy and evenly flavoured. If needed, add a little milk or cream to adjust the consistency. Spread or pipe onto cakes and cupcakes.

How much flavour concentrate should I use in cake frosting?

Start with ¼ teaspoon of oil-soluble flavour concentrate per cup of buttercream. Mix thoroughly, taste and gradually add more if needed to achieve your preferred flavour intensity. Always check the manufacturer's recommended usage rate, as concentrate strengths can vary.

Flavouring other types of cake frosting

Buttercream isn't the only option for decorating cakes. Cream cheese frosting offers a tangy finish, whipped cream frosting creates a lighter topping, and chocolate ganache delivers a rich, indulgent finish. Each type has a different base, so choose a flavour concentrate suitable for the ingredients and follow its recommended usage guidance.

Tips for best results

✦ Taste as you go to ensure flavour balance
✦ Use less of potent flavours like mint or cinnamon
✦ Let frosted cakes sit before serving for richer flavour.

What flavours work well with cake frosting

✦ Lemon + Raspberry
✦ Strawberry + Vanilla
✦ Orange + Lime
✦ Lavender
✦ Banana
✦ Chocolate

Chocolate cake with raspberries surrounded by sliced oranges and strawberries on a white background

Flavour builds & recipes

These sweet recipes feature oil-soluble flavour concentrates, making them a great source of inspiration for experimenting with rich, delicious flavour combinations in your own baking and dessert creations.