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Ingredients For Chocolate Guinness Cake Frosting

Asked by Quinces. Answered on 29th October 2018

Full question

I have been making the Chocolate Guinness Cake for years and came online whilst shopping to check ingredients and noticed that cornflour has been added to the icing. I am wondering why this has happened?

Chocolate Guinness Cake
Photo by James Merrell
Chocolate Guinness Cake
By Nigella
  • 14
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Our answer

Nigella's Chocolate Guinness Cake (from FEAST) is a rich, moist cake that is topped with a light cream cheese frosting. The original recipe was written many years ago when cream cheese was often sold in blocks and was fairly firm when cold.

However cream cheese is now mostly sold in plastic tubs or containers and this cream cheese seems to be softer and spreadable straight from the fridge. Unfortunately sometimes when icing sugar (confectioners' sugar) is added to this type of cream cheese the sugar dissolves quickly and results in a very liquid frosting. Cornflour (cornstarch) helps to absorb excess liquid and keeps the frosting firm. Cornflour is sometimes added to icing sugar as an anti-caking agent so it is not unusual to have some cornflour in a frosting. However if you are able to buy a firmer style of cream cheese then it is not necessary to add the extra cornflour.

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What 1 Other has said

  • I followed the recipe to the letter and was really pleased with the result. Would like to know how to increase the Guinness element, though!

    Posted by Kenarf on 29th October 2018
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