A light & sugary confection, perfect atop any cake or dessert. This fluffy white icing recipe is so sweet yet simple to make, it’s a reason to celebrate in and of itself.

Like My Mother Does

In honor of Mother’s Day, I am sharing the recipe for one of my mom’s (April’s) favorite dessert toppings, created by her mom: my beloved Grandma Nancy. Grandma Nancy even entitled this delight: “April’s Fluffy White Icing Recipe.”

According to my grandma’s excerpt in our family cookbook (which was created by my mother and grandmother as a gift to my sisters and I) in relation to this particular recipe:

Oh, Sugar, Sugar.

I come from a long line of dessert lovers. You’ll rarely find me completing a meal without having “just a little something sweet,” afterwards. This is especially true on holidays. How else do we properly celebrate, except to eat more food than we normally would, and top it all off with at least one dessert? This food for thought fondly reminds me of one of my favorite bits from the comedian Jim Gaffigan, when discussing this particular American tradition of overindulgence:

Baby, We’re Rollin’, Gaining Momentum

As an ode to Mother’s Day and this recipe, both of which celebrate two of the most important women in my life, this week’s playlist must certainly include the song: “Long Way Down,” by the talented Lacy J. Dalton. It’s a song from a mother to a daughter. Although the lyrics aren’t quite as cheery as some typical mother-daughter anthems, there is a cold, yet beautiful truth behind them. I have included a snippet of those lyrics below.

                                  "Just like an angel whose wings are untarnished; 
                                               Soaring so high that you don't fear the ground; 
                                 And I'd like to catch you to keep you from fallin'. 
                                         'Cuz it can be nice way up there in the clouds. 
                                          But, baby, it's a long way down."

                                                                             -- Lacy J. Dalton

This song is about a mother who knows what it’s like to be her daughter’s age, young and full of so many hopes and dreams. But who also knows the mistakes she might make along the way, because she’s been there. Even though she’d like to stop her, if only to keep her safe from all of the harm this cruel world may inflict upon her; she knows that she must let her go, to figure it out on her own. All she can do is be there for her, to catch her, when she inevitably falls.

Come Together, Right Now, Over Me

The song: “Long Way Down,” always brings to mind memories of sitting around my mom’s kitchen table, with my sisters, mom, and grandma; all of us singing our hearts out to this particular tune. There are some songs that you continue to talk and laugh over, but not “Long Way Down,” by Lacy J. Not in my family. This melody always made everyone stop and come together, if only for a moment, to harmonize the meaningful and powerful lyrics. I can rarely listen to it and keep a dry eye. In fact, I am struggling now as I write these words to keep the tears from welling up.

Must be allergies or something…

I know what will make me feel better: Some cake with April’s Fluffy White Icing.

April’s Fluffy White Icing Recipe

Fluffy White Icing Ingredients

• 2 egg whites
• 1/3 c. white sugar
• 3/4 c. light corn syrup (such as Karo)
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Fluffy White Icing Instructions

1. Beat egg whites with a standing or hand-held electric mixer.
2. Add the sugar and syrup and continue beating on medium-high for approximately 3 minutes, until stiff peaks begin to form.
3. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the vanilla extract. Continue beating, just until the vanilla is combined. Do not over-beat the icing.
4. Use immediately to frost an Angel Food Cake, or any other dessert of your liking.

White vanilla frosting (especially atop a white cake) pairs well with Chardonnay, whose oak barrel-aged flavor enhances the vanilla flavor in the icing and cake. However, if you, like me, are not a huge Chardonnay fan, a semi-sweet Riesling also makes a great pairing with white cake and frosting. The crispness of the Riesling will help to cleanse the palate in between every sugary sweet bite.

As stated, May is the month for much celebration in my family: Mother’s Day and many birthdays. So, there are many more fun birthday-themed recipes and stories coming your way this month!

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Thanks for reading and be sure to treat yourself like every day is your birthday! Cheers!

For more stories about how awesome my mom is, check out the Sauced post on my Mom’s Deviled Eggs!

Mom’s Deviled Eggs