Saturday 4 October 2014

Penuche Frosting


 

Penuche was a popular frosting when I was growing up. So last week end when my Grandchildren and I made a "Spiced Pumpkin Pecan Quick Bread" I thought the perfect frosting for it would be one of my old favorites, Penuche frosting. My Mom made a version of this recipe, however, I have changed it up, making it richer for "Julia and Emma's Spiced Pumpkin Pecan Quick bread"!



If you use light brown sugar, it will taste like a thicker version of the glaze on a brown sugar frosting glazed doughnut. If you use dark brown sugar, as shown below, the flavor is a bit richer and the frosting is somewhat more creamy. This makes sense since dark brown sugar is really just light brown sugar, plus additional molasses.


This recipe frosts the top of a 13x9-inch cake, a loaf cake(as shown) or 18 cupcakes thickly. For a two layer cake, I would double the recipe or at least 1 1/2 of recipe. Because it is a cooked frosting, that stiffens as it cools, it will tear at a  light-textured cake. Even though starting with a good consistency, it cools and you will need to make extra passes with a spatula, which tears at the cake.


JJ'S PENUCHE FROSTING

1 c. powered sugar, sifted into medium bowl
3/4 c. dark brown sugar, packed
1/2 c. heavy cream
1/4 c. unsalted butter (1/2 cube)
1/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract



In medium saucepan, stir together over medium heat brown sugar, heavy cream and butter, until butter melts and sugar dissolves. Increase heat to medium high and bring to a low boil. Stir and let boil for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour over the sifted powdered sugar, whisk or use a electric hand mixer until smooth and light in color, about 1 minute. Cool icing.....it should fall in a thick ribbon from the spoon, about 12 minutes. Spoon the Penuche over the cake, letting it drip down the sides of the cake. Let it stand until firm...if you can!! 


I have dipped many things into my Penuche Icing, graham crackers, pretzels, apples, pears and peaches. The apple is divine in my book! I created a monster, now I need frosting on my apple slices!! But, seriously, this icing would be amazing when paired with just about anything… even a spoon.

4 comments:

  1. Love this frosting, I am going to make this for my Pumpkin bread tomorrow. Thanks! Just in time! Love your blog, please never stop. CJ of Scottsdale

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    1. Hi CJ!! This frosting so yummy!! Thank you for commenting!! Cheers! JJ

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  2. I'll say it again...and again...absolutely delicious and downright sinful!!! The girls loved helping Grandma and we all enjoyed devouring every morsel of cake and frosting!!! XOXO -Sarah

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    1. Hi Sarah!! Smiling! Thanks for commenting, and so happy you liked it!! Cheers! Grandma JJ:-)

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