Lincoln Log Frosting is a nostalgic chocolate frosting made from pantry staples like sugar, cornstarch, and unsweetened chocolate. It’s cooked on the stovetop until thick and glossy, then finished with butter and vanilla for a silky texture and deep flavor. Named for its rustic appearance and simplicity, it’s often used on old-fashioned chocolate cakes or rolled cakes like a log, evoking a homespun, hearty treat from the mid-century American kitchen.
Ingredients
- ½ cup sugar
- 1½ tbsp cornstarch
- 1 oz unsweetened chocolate (1 square)
- ½ cup water
- 1½ tbsp butter
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients
- Mix ½ cup sugar and 1½ tbsp cornstarch in a small saucepan.
Step 2: Add Chocolate and Water
- Add 1 oz unsweetened chocolate and ½ cup water. Stir to combine.
Step 3: Cook Until Thickened
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens.
Step 4: Remove from Heat and Finish
- Remove from heat. Stir in 1½ tbsp butter and ½ tsp vanilla extract.
Step 5: Frost While Hot
- Immediately spread the hot frosting over the cake.
Tips
- Add a pinch of salt to enhance the chocolate flavor.
- Substitute brown sugar for deeper caramel notes.
- Spread over warm cake for a glossy finish.
- For a thicker icing, cook 1 to 2 minutes longer after thickened.
- Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk for a softer, pourable glaze.
- Stir in a teaspoon of instant coffee for mocha frosting.
- Swap vanilla for almond extract for an old-fashioned twist.
- Chill briefly to use as a filling between cake layers.
Nutrition
Calories: 95kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 1gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 7gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 61mgPotassium: 1mgFiber: 11gSugar: 60gVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 0.5mgIron: 6mg
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