Ready-to-Eat White/Vanilla Frosting

Test Date: March 2011

Testers: Michele and husband Marc

 

All products for this test purchased at Fred Meyer, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's.

MICHELE'S OPINION: The results of this test really depend on your preferred frosting consistency, and if you like sprinkles in it, and if you like them crunchy or moist. I've tried to describe each product in detail to help you make your own decision. For us, the Duncan Hines whipped frosting had a great flavor and a smooth consistency so we'll choose that one again at the store. Read on for more details....

Price comparison for one jar of frosting (store first, then brand)
$3.99 Whole Foods Cherrybrook Kitchen
$1.89 Fred Meyer Duncan Hines
$1.79 Fred Meyer Betty Crocker Rich and Creamy
$1.79 Fred Meyer Betty Crocker Whipped Fluffy
$1.43 Fred Meyer Pillsbury Creamy Supreme
$1.43 Fred Meyer Pillsbury Confetti Funfetti

1. Betty Crocker Rich & Creamy Rainbow Chip Frosting (Purchased at Fred Meyer and available on Amazon Fresh; Betty Crocker's website product locator was not working at the time of this post.) This product has a very smooth consistency and already includes sprinkles. Unfortunately, it has a fake aftertaste and is very sugary. Marc thinks the product is fairly tasteless.

3. Betty Crocker Whipped Fluffy White Frosting (Purchased at Fred Meyer; Betty Crocker's website product locator was not working at the time of this post.) This product tastes like whipped cream and confectioners sugar, but still has a fake aftertaste. This product has less flavor than the other whipped frosting (Duncan Hines).

4. Pillsbury Creamy Supreme Vanilla Frosting (Purchased at Fred Meyer; per the Pillsbury website, this product is also available at QFC, Safeway, and Albertsons.) This is a relatively dense product with a smooth, light vanilla flavor.

5. Pillsbury Confetti Funfetti Vanilla Frosting (Purchased at Fred Meyer; per Pillsbury website, this product is also available at Albertsons and Target.) This product has crunchy sprinkles that you add in just before using. So if you like a crunch in your frosting this one's for you. However, relative to the other products, it has grainy texture and sugary (less smooth) consistency.

6. Duncan Hines Whipped Vanilla Frosting (Purchased at Fred Meyer; Duncan Hines website does not list other locations for purchase.) This product is fluffy yet really creamy, and sweet and flavorful with a rich vanilla taste.

7. Cherrybrook Kitchen Vanilla Frosting (Purchased at Whole Foods and available on Amazon Fresh. Per Cherrybrook's website, this product may also available at QFC, Fred Meyer, and Madison Market.) This product must be stirred and then has the consistency of wet taffy. Marc and I are not sure how this would spread on cupcakes because of its loose consistency. It has the flavor of confectioners sugar.

NUTRITIONAL NOTES: (serving size 35g) The majority of these products have about 150 calories per serving, with one exception: the Betty Crocker Whipped Fluffy White frosting has only 100 calories per serving. This product also has a lot less sodium than the other options: only 25 mg per serving instead of the more common 60 or 70mg. If you're going for low carb, this Betty Crocker product is also for you: there are only 15g of carbs per serving compared to a more average 23-25g. Fat content is pretty much the same between all of the products though, between 5-7g per serving. If you want to avoid trans fats, then the Cherrybrook Kitchen frosting is your only option, since all of the others contain partially hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oils.

TASTE WINNER: Duncan Hines Whipped Vanilla