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My Valentine’s Day greeting to you and the secret to my frosting.  Which is not really a secret since I found the idea on Pinterest.

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HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY

TO ALL MY

FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND READERS

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I hope that you all have a splendid day and feel the extra love today by those around you.

Remember, it’s not just for couples.  And yes, it should be Valentine’s Day every day of the year, but I say give a little extra of that love you would normally share everyday.  May God bless each of you and may you knowthe love of Jesus in your life.

Now to the secret to the frosting that was incorporated into the Valentine’s Day Cupcakes that I made for the ADC Community Lunch.  The colour in the pictures is suppose to be pink, but I did not have good lighting, so some look a little orange.  I was exploring on Pinterest one day last week and I found something that really peaked my interest.  A way to colour and flavour frosting without using the dye colours from Wilton (sorry Wilton, this is way is more fun, less expensive, and better tasting).  So what is the secret ingredient?

JELLO

I know.  I was a little surprised that this would work too, but it is amazing.  It will be very hard for me to go back to using dye in my frosting again.  I saw it used with royal icing and so I was sure I could make it work in buttercream frosting, which is what I normally use.  Add the Jello powder to the milk and presto, you have flavoured and coloured frosting.  I made red velvet cupcakes with raspberry buttercream frosting and vanilla cupcakes with cherry frosting.  Bellow is the buttercream recipe I use along with instructions to add the jello.

Buttercream Frosting

  • 1/2 C butter
  • 1/2 C margarine
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 4 C powdered sugar
  • 3 tbs milk
  1. Cream the butter together until it is smooth
  2. Mix in the vanilla
  3. Add sugar 1 cup at a time beating on med speed.  At first it will look dry and clumpy but keep beating until it mixes together and goes smooth, then continue the process until all cups are added.  Be sure to scrape the sides and bottoms as you mix together.
  4. Put 2 tbsp of milk in a small dish or measuring cup.  Add desired amount of jello powder (about 1/4 – 1/2 package) and mix.  Add to frosting and mix until blended.
  5. Add 1 more tbs milk and a bit more jello powder and mix until frosting is light and fluffy. You can just use 2 tbsp but I find it is fluffier and more colour and flavour if you add the 3rd tbsp of milk/jello powder.

This is such an easy way to add flavour and colour.  I hope this inspired you to try it.  There are a variety of colours so you can have a great tasting birthday cake!  Yes, there is some added extra sugar since it’s Jello, but hey, it tastes great!  By the way, I did not eat any of these cupcakes at lunch yesterday since Lent started the same day.  But I will admit I had one the night before to taste test (lent hadn’t started yet).  See my post  Pancake Tuesday for more about Lent and what I gave up.

What’s your favourite Jello flavour?