This vintage ermine frosting recipe pipes like buttercream but feels like whipped cream.

This vintage cake frosting is what bakers used to frost theirlayer cakesbefore the days of buttercreams andcream cheese frosting.

It’s eggless but does contain flour (so it isn’t gluten-free).

Southern Living Ermine Frosting on a slice of cake

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

This recipe makes about 4 cups, which is plenty to frost and fill a 9-inch, triplelayer cake.

What Is Ermine Frosting?

Ermine frosting is an old-fashioned recipe, known also as “boiled milk frosting.”

Southern Living Ermine Frosting ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Its silky, light, and less sweet than standard American-stylebuttercreams.

(These ingredients were expensive, and later rationed.)

Try it on some of these classics:

Why Is My Ermine Frosting Runny?

Southern Living Ermine Frosting in a bowl ready to use

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

If your ermine frosting is too runny, check the temperature.

Softened butter should land around 65 to 70F for best results.

If you find your frosting is loose, refrigerate until chilled, then re-whip for a fluffy consistency.

Southern Living Ermine Frosting whisking together the milk and flour

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

You may need to re-whip before using.

Refrigerate frosted cakes and bring to room temperature before serving for the most stability.

Add sugar:

Remove from heat, add sugar and salt, and whisk until sugar dissolves.

Southern Living Ermine Frosting cooking the milk and flour until thickened

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Refrigerate until cooled, about 30 minutes.

Combine butter and flour mixture:

With mixer running, add cooled flour mixture in heaping spoonfuls.

Scrape bowl with a rubber spatula.

Southern Living Ermine Frosting refrigerating the milk mixture

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Beat frosting:

Switch to whisk attachment if your mixer has one.

Beat frosting on medium-high speed until light and fluffy with the consistency of stiffly whipped cream.

Refrigerate for 15 minutes until firm before applying the rest of the frosting for a smooth result.

Southern Living Ermine Frosting whipping the butter

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Freeze the frosting for up to three months in a freezer bag or airtight container.

Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, and whip lightly before using.

Add unsweetened cocoa powder for a chocolate frosting, and spices or citrus zest for more flavor.

Southern Living Ermine Frosting adding the milk mixture to the butter

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Ermine Frosting after whipping until fluffy

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox