ALEXANDRIA, VA - JULY 8, 2019:  Indispensable Chocolate Cake - Hazelnut, Espresso Mousse and Chocolate Ganache photographed at Evening Star Cafe in Alexandria, VA on July 8, 2019. (Photo by Deb Lindsey for The Washington Post via Getty Images).
FOOD NEWS
The Store-Bought Frosting Hack That Will Give You A Burst Of Flavor
By Kelly Douglas
If you prefer to use store-bought frosting, there are ways to make it more flavorful with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Once you try this trick, you may never see that little frosting container the same way again.
When you’re ready to frost a cake, add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to store-bought frosting first and stir thoroughly. While you might think vanilla extract should be reserved for vanilla frosting, this multipurpose extract will bring out the best notes of any frosting flavor.
If you don’t have vanilla extract, you can use a couple of tablespoons of any extract (such as peppermint, almond, or lemon) that complements the flavor of the cake. For a flavor boost to chocolate frosting, try adding espresso or coffee, or if you want a boozy twist, add bourbon, Kahlua, or Grand Marnier.