What's the best icing to eat straight from the tub?
Posted by ediblepandas@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 147 comments
About a year ago, during a depressive episode, I decided to buy some supermarket icing for the hit of dopamine. It was awful, both in texture and taste. I ended up throwing the whole thing away. While I am in a better place and I don't intend to repeat the experience, but I still wonder from time to time: are there any good options?
Tried googling the question but all answers came up American!
TSC-99@reddit
Urgh. Just buy some sweets 🤷🏽♀️
ss4adib@reddit
Sweetened Condensed Milk
hm8g10@reddit
Make the delia smith chocolate fudge topping (mix 75g granulated sugar with 75ml evaporated milk in a heavy based saucepan and stir over a low heat until the sugar is dissolved, then bring to the boil and simmer over a low heat, making sure the base doesn’t catch, for 8 minutes. Add 100g dairy milk (or a mix of dairy milk and dark chocolate) and then stir in 40g butter and 2 drops of vanilla essence and beat until combined). Leave to cool and then eat until you feel better.
thecuriousiguana@reddit
Icing from a tub is filth.
Buy one of those big cartons of fresh custard and sip it like a milkshake.
ediblepandas@reddit (OP)
I have honestly never thought of that!
Inner_Face_9295@reddit
Better still vanilla custard, yum 😋
Booboodelafalaise@reddit
If you like vanilla custard, try the new Cadbury Caramilk dessert.
It’s like custard and caramel had a baby and it’s delicious. They do four packs of individual portions, or big pots that they say are for sharing but are clearly designed for depressive episodes. Highly recommended!
Inner_Face_9295@reddit
I have just discovered Ambrosia deluxe custard with Madagascan vanilla in individual post, that's so caramel like ! Not sure if they make full tin size.
wildOldcheesecake@reddit
Mate these are epic. I hope they’re not discontinued
Inner_Face_9295@reddit
OMG !!! This truly sounds like heaven, thanks for the tip 😁
thecuriousiguana@reddit
God level depression snack
ediblepandas@reddit (OP)
Hopefully I never have to use this information but it's oddly comforting to know
Riewd@reddit
Vanessa?
Ok_Shopping_3341@reddit
Now, this may make me a heathen, but I reckon Ambrosia Devon custard beats the shit out of any of the fresh stuff 😂
Rude-Possibility4682@reddit
Nicer when you dunk a digestive into the custard, that's come straight from the fridge.
thecuriousiguana@reddit
Maybe so, but it's harder to sip.
Demand_Snail@reddit
You need a rigid plastic or a metal straw. Preferably with some girth
ediblepandas@reddit (OP)
Oh my. That sounds a little bit delightful.
Demand_Snail@reddit
It's honestly so good.
Alternatively, it's really easy to make buttercream with butter and icing sugar, just look up a recipe online. It's very unhealthy though but I'm guessing you don't care much 😅
ediblepandas@reddit (OP)
When I'm that depressed I probably wouldnt have the energy to do that lol. Need to rely on someone else's efforts
TheNinjaPixie@reddit
I used to use the Aldi soft icing, i think it may have been called frosting, when i made carrot cake, it was pretty good. Ready made in a tub.
Demand_Snail@reddit
Ah yeah completely valid
Violet351@reddit
The M&S fresh custard is the best
EllebumbleB@reddit
Waitrose fresh vanilla custard. If you are having a really shit day dip a doughnut into it.
thecuriousiguana@reddit
Yes. This.
Accomplished_Bison87@reddit
I once saw someone doing this with a tub of Elmlea double. I tell you, the scream that I scrumpt…
thecuriousiguana@reddit
Awful.
Elmlea isn't even proper cream.
sihasihasi@reddit
Icing. From the tub?
Get a grip.
Ok_Shopping_3341@reddit
Can’t advise on icing, but for an instant sugar high I have a jar of Bonne Maman caramel apple spread. A spoonful of that makes me one happy lass.
Moomoocaboob@reddit
Oh man I remember brining my parents home a jar of similar from a French school trip. It was delicious and I was so happy to bring it back for them to try. My dad dropped it within a week and it smashed. I’m still salty about it and think of it often.
Ok_Shopping_3341@reddit
As good a reason for No Contact as any
-cunningstunt@reddit
I do the same with a jar of M&S hazelnut spread, it tastes just like the filling of a kinder bueno
here-but-not-present@reddit
It makes me a very fat lass, but also a very happy one.
God that stuff is GOOD.
Ok_Shopping_3341@reddit
Same. Fat and happy. When it inevitably kills me, bury with a jar, please.
Princes_Slayer@reddit
St Dalfour apple cinnamon jam is like apple pie filling…fab in a croissant
ediblepandas@reddit (OP)
That sounds really nice. How is it on toast?
Princes_Slayer@reddit
Spectacular. I tend to struggle with finding it in stores though, and often stock up when we holiday in Wales (I find it in Welsh Morrisons and Waitrose but not either of them where I live in NW England)
briergate@reddit
I just got their peanut butter and it’s all I can think about. My life is ruined.
Ok_Shopping_3341@reddit
Diabetes Schmiabetes.
ediblepandas@reddit (OP)
I can imagine. I've never had it before but it sounds good.
squashed_tomato@reddit
Ice cream is better than icing for a sweet treat as you eat it a bit slower. I'd avoid going for really high sugar stuff when you are feeling down though as it's so easy to over do it. I say this as someone who is now overweight for various reasons, including emotional eating and I'm now in the middle of undoing it.
My first go to is fruit. Mango, pineapples, berries etc. Fresh fruit in plain yoghurt is nice too. If you need something chocolaty I buy Fibre Now bars from Aldi which are a dupe for Fibre One chocolate fudge bars. They are around 80-90 calories depending on the brand. These are also nice broken up into chunks in plain yoghurt but I normally eat them on their own. Someone recommended microwaving them so I tried that the other day with a splash of oat milk. Quite yummy.
BickyLC@reddit
Couldn't you just make your own buttercream using butter and icing sugar? I might try this tomorrow
_ThePancake_@reddit
Lotus biscoff spread.
I have always wanted to eat a jar.
capnpan@reddit
100%, and I am not proud of this, but Betty Crocker chocolate fudge icing.
SpecialistGeneral794@reddit
Betty crocker icing, fudge specifically
AccuratelyHistorical@reddit
Buy a jar of lemon curd, or a tub of candyfloss!
Familiar-Bunch8868@reddit
If you want instant sugar dopamine get condensed milk in a can from some eastern European shop, you can eat it with a spoon
Chelz91@reddit
When I was depressed a few years ago I started eating spoonfuls of icing sugar… it was perfect as you basically turn it into royal icing in your mouth. Don’t recommend the depression but the icing was really good lol
pringellover9553@reddit
I had an ingredient household growing up so I used to scoff this secretly in the pantry at night
pringellover9553@reddit
Betty Crocker chocolate one always hit the spot for me during a depressive/manic/binging episode
Weaubleau@reddit
I prefer not to eat in the bath
Vena_Mala@reddit
I used to eat tubs of betty crocker chocolate fudge icing when I couldn't be bothered to make it from scratch, but from scratch really does taste a million times better.
michaelscottdundmiff@reddit
I definitely put away a few of the cream cheese betty crocker ones whilst feeling down. Grim looking back
redpanda249@reddit
Came here to write this, but if I don't have it and I fancy something simple, then cream cheese with a little icing sugar - if I'm feeling fancy, splash of vanilla and a biscuits as a base but can just eat it straight from the bowl.
JennyW93@reddit
This is the brand of depression I used to have
Difficult_Falcon1022@reddit
Wtf? No. Buy a small piece of marzipan if you feel that sort of desolation.
ediblepandas@reddit (OP)
To be fair, my brain wasn't working properly at the time. That is clearly a much better option.
Difficult_Falcon1022@reddit
My shock notwithstanding, no judgement from me, my own depression eating habits have been truly awful at points.
ediblepandas@reddit (OP)
No worries! It hits us all differently. Hope youre doing well :3
EmmaInFrance@reddit
I can't stand shop bought marzipan, but my mum's home-made almond paste is a whole different matter..
Difficult_Falcon1022@reddit
Do you have a recipe for it you can share??? I have always wanted to try my own. Very jealous!
EmmaInFrance@reddit
Sorry, but no.
It's in an ancient cake decorating book from the 70s, somewhere at my Mum's house.
feralhog3050@reddit
I found a block of "ready roll" icing in the kitchen cupboard as a teenager, & used to eat it by the slice.
ediblepandas@reddit (OP)
Was it any good?? I usually don't trust icing like that.
feralhog3050@reddit
So good. I'm not sure my teeth could cope with the sweetness now though 😬
TipiElle@reddit
I get cravings for it every now and then
AreaMiserable9187@reddit
Betty Crocker chocolate fudge was my go to as a depressed teen
Cerezae@reddit
Betty crockers vanilla buttercream style icing. That stuff got me through some bad days.
millyperry2023@reddit
If you need a fix, easy fudge. Zap a tub of supermarket icing and a jar of peanut butter for a minute each, mix together, put in a brownie tin, or whatever you've got in your kitchen, bung in the fridge for a couple of hours and cut into squares.
Another great easy fix is biscoff cake, zap a jar of biscoff spread (take the lid off!), 2 eggs, teaspoon of baking powder, mix, put in cake tin (best in loaf tin) bake for 30 mins or till a knife comes out clean. When cool, melt another jar of biscoff spread and pour over for icing
Ill_Apricot_7668@reddit
Icing? Surely marzipan is the nibbler's drug of choice?
AeloraTargaryen@reddit
A jar of Nutella or Biscoff will do the trick. Sprinkle a little salt on the Nutella scoop it out with a bourbon biscuit. Beautiful.
sesquipedalianish@reddit
Whip together Philadelphia cream cheese + softened butter + icing sugar + splash of vanilla = really delicious icing that you definitely should not make or eat if you have T2 diabetes
Fartnoise789@reddit
Id like to share the recipe for my go to depression snack. I call it “Two spoons”. 1. Jar of Nutella and a spoon. 2. Jar of peanut butter and a spoon. 3. Eat alternate spoonfuls until you feel sick or stop crying.
You’re welcome.
biddlywad@reddit
Betty Crocker Chocolate Fudge. UK. My favourite.
Gloomy_Use5525@reddit
Betty Crocker chocolate fudge icing is the most decent supermarket icing imo
Different_Pear6718@reddit
I can recommend getting a tub of Cadbury chocolate spread or biscoff spread and a packet of chocolate fingers, and creating yourself a massive choc-dip. Not quite the same... But also great
Intelligent-Iguana@reddit
Tescos do a salted caramel sauce which is amazing. Goes very thick and spoonable if you keep it in the fridge.
Or squirty cream, there's even a Baileys or Chocolate one......
Goblin_of_tea@reddit
Betty Crocker chocolate fudge icing, and Maryland chocolate chip cookies. Got me through a breakup quite well
togtogtog@reddit
Icing from a tub?!
I just make it - it's only sugar mixed with butter... (for butter icing)
ediblepandas@reddit (OP)
Youre right, homemade is clearly the better option! I didn't have the energy for it at the time.
Missus_Nicola@reddit
Betty crockers chocolate frosting.
gameofgroans_@reddit
I have squeezed the decorative icing you use to decorate cookies etc straight into my mouth before when I was struggling. Not the healthiest dinner I’ve ever had but was bloody delicious.
Glad you’re doing better x
LittleSadRufus@reddit
We got through many tubs of Cadbury chocolate fudge icing in the pandemic, when we were eating cakes sufficiently often that we couldn't be arsed making frosting from scratch every time
littlenymphy@reddit
Get yourself a stand mixer and it’ll be ready in a couple of minutes!
togtogtog@reddit
Being depressed is so hard. It stops you from doing anything!
Glad you are in a better place now <3
ediblepandas@reddit (OP)
Yeah, it's so frustrating! And thank you ♡
briergate@reddit
I know this IS American, but me and my kids sneak marshmallow fluff which hits like icing and it’s in most supermarkets!
ediblepandas@reddit (OP)
I have seen marshmallow fluff in some supermarkets! I've even used it to make an American fudge recipie.
SighMartini@reddit
why is this even a thing!?
JGalKnit@reddit
Bag of powdered sugar. Two sticks of butter. Cream the butter. Add 2 cups of sugar. Add another cup, a little milk or cream and either vanilla, almond, etc., flavor. Add 2-3 more cups of sugar.
It isn't healthy, but it will taste far better than the tub. And it is pretty easy.
AvatarIII@reddit
Betty crocker chocolate fudge cake icing.
Mysteryyy87@reddit
My student poor days dopamine hit came from a can of whipped cream (squirty cream for English, skooshy for the Scottish). Use drinking chocolate or nesquick powder to mix in and make fluffy fake ice cream
naddpodenjoyer@reddit
Make your own. Butter (or margarine) and icing sugar. That's all you need.
If you want to be fancy you can add cocoa or vanilla/almond/whatever extract. But even just the icing sugar + butter combo will be a million times better than store bought.
ediblepandas@reddit (OP)
At the time, I couldn't make myself do that. I do love hommade though!
naddpodenjoyer@reddit
That's fair, I totally get it!
oily_fish@reddit
I recommend browning the butter first
naddpodenjoyer@reddit
We're talking depression here, mixing butter and sugar is enough effort.
Traditional-Tour37@reddit
Melt a spoon of butter and spoon of milk, add in a spoon or something if cocoa powder and icing sugar.
Asda does a squirty cream that is chocolate.
My chocolate comfort foods go tos are Nutella, Asda bakery chocolate chip cookies, Belgian chocolate Hagen daas (on offer) and Aldi dark chocolate and hazelnut bars. I try to have vegetables or non chocolate for my interview between snacks
Idontknowhow2saythis@reddit
Get a tube of icing instead.
I used to love eating the icing straight from the tube but they may have changed recipes since I last did this.
You can also get 'bars' of fondant icing which are good.
ediblepandas@reddit (OP)
The ones for piping decorations?
Idontknowhow2saythis@reddit
Yer, they taste better than the tubs (or I think so at least) and 0 effort.
No_Investigator9059@reddit
Sod the icing. Condensed milk. Nom. In Aus they do it in tubes so you can squirm it right in your face 😂
ediblepandas@reddit (OP)
Condensed milk is very good but ive only had drops of it while making confections. Having it in tubes sounds interesting but also like a nice snack to have on a hike.
No_Investigator9059@reddit
Im currently pregnant and have been known to eat a tub in two sittings. 😅
ediblepandas@reddit (OP)
I've never been pregnant but as far as cravings go that sounds like a decent one to deal with.
blossomingroses@reddit
I used to eat cream cheese icing from the tub in my first year of uni
BlackCatWitch29@reddit
During my worst times, I'd genuinely eat Nutella from the tub with a teaspoon. Some days that would be all I'd eat.
Or I'd eat Ben & Jerry's chocolate fudge brownie ice cream (or supermarket own brand alternative) by the tub.
I haven't done it in a long while now but I'm glad you're doing better. I'm on a "diet" now so both things are no longer an option but I don't miss them so it's fine.
May the sun shine more often for you!!!!
ediblepandas@reddit (OP)
Getting any food in at least is something for the body to process x.x
I've been eating much healthier, I have a friend who makes meals for me. It's helped me so much and with support like that from the people around me the world has gotten a lot brighter!
BlackCatWitch29@reddit
That is true.
I love food and thoroughly enjoy cooking. So with my new diet, I'm doing it more often and discovering new foods or rediscovering foods I haven't had in years that I used to love.
Having a village is so important for us.
ediblepandas@reddit (OP)
I used to enjoy baking! I want to get back into it. I'm glad you're able to engage in the thing you love!
BlackCatWitch29@reddit
Get back into it and explore!!!!
It's brilliant and now, I get to cook my favourite comfort foods (chips, fried rice mainly) whenever I feel a bit down. But they're healthy and still just as yummy.
ediblepandas@reddit (OP)
Right now I'm focusing on getting back into another hobby: writing. Its going pretty well! I will try to get back into cooking when I can :D
cledislouise@reddit
The Hershey's milk chocolate frosting!
SarkyMs@reddit
Butter icing just at mix butter and icing sugar, add a dash of milk and wham perfect. If your even lazier glace icing, icing sugar and tepid water.
JBB2002902@reddit
Betty Crocker chocolate fudge frosting.
walking_chemist@reddit
When I was younger we didn’t have snacks in the house, used to enjoy a slice off the fondant icing block from the cupboard when I wanted a sweet treat
Princes_Slayer@reddit
I knew someone with a bit of an eating disorder and when she craved sugar, she would make up a little powdered icing with water (it makes the runny icing that you used to drizzle on fairy cakes) and she’d eat that. I think if you added a little lemon juice it’d make nice lemon icing or a drop or two (don’t overdo it) of orange or peppermint extract you’d get to choose whatever you fancied in smaller amounts
ediblepandas@reddit (OP)
Oh yeah, royal icing! That is easy to make in vv small batches and still gain the mental reward
CosmoPrincess@reddit
I went through a phase of having icing sugar with water to make runny icing, and dipping biscuits into it - highly recommend
Wild_Region_7853@reddit
If you want to eat out of a jar/tub I’d go for Nutella or Biscoff spread. If you’re feeling fancy the hazelnut spread from M&S is like eating the inside of a bueno
Booboodelafalaise@reddit
Put a jar of Nutella in the freezer, then get it out and leave it on the side for about 30 minutes. You have to carve off chunks with the side of your spoon, but it is very very worthwhile!
ediblepandas@reddit (OP)
I can imagine the texture being very smooth
bopeepsheep@reddit
Or put spoonfuls into an ice cube tray first, then you can just pop out a couple of frozen bits at a time.
hollyyy16@reddit
personally i like the cadbury fudge icing
GroceryPlastic7954@reddit
You need a choc ice mate. Just trust me on this one.
EmmaInFrance@reddit
A big jar of Nutella for me!
Or a whole chocolate swiss roll, but only if it has proper chocolate butter icing.
HawthorneUK@reddit
The huge tubs under the bakery displays in Costco. But then you ahve several kg of icing to get through.
ediblepandas@reddit (OP)
I don't think even at my worst I'd be able to handle that lol
yazshousefortea@reddit
Nutella straight from the jar. Mix in M&Ms for an extra chocolaty hit and mix of textures.
fionakitty21@reddit
I have a tub of chocolate frosting (the soft kind) that was leftover from when I made my sons and mine birthday cakes, and dip into it with a spoon sometimes*
*very often
Tub was a couple of quid, asdas own but just like the branded Betty crocker stuff!
ediblepandas@reddit (OP)
I have had supermarket frosting in the not-eating, someone-else-used-as-intended way, and chocolate always tends to taste better.
fionakitty21@reddit
Can confirm, also have half a tub of "blue" frosting left (vanilla I think??) But doesn't hit the same spot! Someone else mentioned custard, and last night, I had a tiny bit of sponge left, absolutely drowned it in custard, 95% custard in the bowl! Could've done with a straw.....
ediblepandas@reddit (OP)
That sounds really nice
fionakitty21@reddit
As someone with (diagnosed) severe anxiety and depression as well as a bunch of other health stuff, sometimes you just have to allow yourself these little things 😊
ediblepandas@reddit (OP)
Yeah!
UhOhEmu@reddit
Personal recommendations would actually be in the jam/spreads aisle:
• Asda Cookies & Cream flavour spread • Asda Hazelnut Praline spread • M&S Golden Blonde Chocolate Spread
Convenient and definitely provide that dopamine hit (other options would be more chocolatey type flavours but these three are IMO the most icing like)
ediblepandas@reddit (OP)
Easier to portion out too probably, if you use it as a spread.
OrganizationLast7570@reddit
Icing makes my teeth hurt just thinking about it. I always scrape that shit off any cake before I eat it
Glittering-Round7082@reddit
Icing sugar and butter.
It's an easy mix yourself.
Butter in a bowl.
Stir.
Add icing sugar bit by bit until correct consistency reached.
Far better than any pre prepared stuff.
impy_a@reddit
The cadburys one isn’t too bad. Funnily enough I only know this for the exact same reason
ediblepandas@reddit (OP)
We are shaking hands. Hope it's going alright for you now
OmegaloIz@reddit
Disgusting
Helpful_Librarian_87@reddit
Don’t kick people when they’re down
DameKumquat@reddit
Not sure there's any good one (I can assure you Betty Crocker and Tesco and Sainsbury's are all minging).
Just get twice the weight of icing sugar to butter, put in microwave for 30 secs, stir, add a drop of vanilla.
ediblepandas@reddit (OP)
Betty Crocker burned my house and salted my fields.
Next time I make a cake I'll remember that!
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