The following “Chew This!” column originally appeared in “The Courier-Times” and / or “The Shelbyville News”. Check their websites for further information and dates.

A Thin, Sweet Icing

Blaise Doubman

What is the difference between frosting and icing? Is there one? I am not sure what you call or classify each one yourself personally but let me tell you how I use these two words. First of all, I do not use them interchangeably. A frosting, to me, is thick and rich. Made with sticks of butter, whipped and rich. Icing, to me, is thinner and not quite as rich and tooth aching. How do you classify or use these terms? On my website I have several recipes for frosting which I use on cookies, cakes and brownies. However, lacking on my website are recipes for icing. So, I decided to change that.

The recipe I am sharing here today is a thin, sweeter than most, chocolate icing. My favorite way of using this is topping a yellow cake. Not a dual layer yellow cake but a yellow cake that is made in a 9×13-inch baking pan. The icing never really does set up very hard. There is a slight thin crusty layer that develops over the top the longer it sits but this is desirable. The icing is also thick enough to hold sprinkles but not thick enough to frost a dual, or two, layered cake. Try it and tell me which you prefer. Frosting or icing?

Thin Chocolate Icing

1/2 cup white granulated sugar 

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons whole milk 

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 

1/2 teaspoon salt

Combine the white granulated sugar, unsalted butter and whole milk in a medium sized saucepan over medium high heat.

Stir occasionally until it comes to a boil.

Stir constantly for 60 seconds as it boils.

Remove from heat and add semi-sweet chocolate chips, pure vanilla extract and salt.

Whisk until smooth and glossy.

Use immediately.

Ask and Answer: Have a secret family recipe you want to finally share with everyone? I have a few recipes already in the running to be featured here but giving those who may not have seen my call out for recipes a second chance. Share with me via the contact page on my website!