So I was watching an episode on the Food Network last night . . . trying to remember the name of the show. Hmmmm, I had it a minute ago but now it has escaped me. I hate when that happens.

Anyhoos, it was on avocados (which I love), and they were talking about how in some countries, Avocados are used to make ice cream because they have many properties similar to eggs and the flavor is so mild. And then they did a bit where, because of the fat content, you can replace the shortening in frosting with avocados for green icing.

They made a lemon flavored icing with avocados, powdered sugar, lemon juice and lemon extract and then iced a cake with it.

Curious, has anybody ever tried this? I may try it for kicks (for myself, not someone else's cake.)

Alton Brown's Good Eats was the show. I haven't tried it though. I do love me some avocados, though I'd much rather eat them as guacamole.

I LOVE avocados! But I can't imaging eating them as a frosting. But I'm sure I'm wrong. I agree with jkalman, guacamole is my favorite way to eat avocados. Avocado soup is good too! I hope someone has tried the avocado buttercream, I'm curious.

It was on Good Eats, here's the recipe.



http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/avocado-buttercream-frosting-recipe/index.html

I have never made the buttercream, but I have had key lime pie that was avocado based and soooo good. I think it would probably be really yummy assuming you are careful with flavorings and colorings, and I bet it would be great in chocolate (but expensive)

I can imagine it taste a bit similar to the avocado shakes they sell at the asian stores or restaurants here in California. I know a bit weird when you think about avocado in a shake, but people swear by it and say it taste soo good. I don't think it taste so much like avocado since it is a bit bland but maybe with a good lemon cake, hey just might try it.

Wouldnt it discolor and turn brown?

Hmm...I don't know about avocado icing. Give it a shot and let us know how it turns out. I absolutely adore avocado shakes. It sounded so odd to me, but was incredibly delicious!

I've actually made it before. I don't like avocados, but I do like this frosting. Make sure the avocado is mashed really well or you get chunks in your frosting...yuck. It's really good with lemon and white cake.

We actually use avocado as a part of dessert here. Just mash the meat, mix in milk and some sugar. We also add it milk shakes. So yummy!!!!

At the cost of avacados today, I'd rather have mine in guacamole! If you can't taste it in the icing, why go to that expense? Just wondering.

It's kind of fun to serve avocado frosting and then tell the people what it is. Most people are surprised. I'm not sure it would be healthier. Avocados are chock full of fat and cholesterol. Oh and the frosting ends up a nasty green. But it's yummy.

Avocados have no cholesterol. Cholesterol comes from animal products, not fruits and vegetables. They do have a lot of fat, but it is the good kind which helps reduce cholesterol.

Actually there is no cholesterol in avocados since they're plants, but you're right about the fat. However it's monounsaturated, one of the best fats you can eat (along the lines of olive oil). But instead of straight fat, you are also getting the fiber and nutrients. Still, I would need a few more rave reviews of the recipe before I'd try it, just because I hate wasting ingredients (and also I'm not very adventurous .

Thanks for the feedback on it toristreats! Come on, any more takers??

ETA: whoops, tazmycat beat me to it on that info. For some reason p.2 of the thread didn't show up for me til I posted. Sorry for the redundant info!

I don't know, that's really odd, and flies in the face of everything I've ever read about avocados. Mind you, I am not a doctor...but some of the studies I've read were legitimate medical studies. I would assume he just wanted you to avoid fatty foods, and as discussed they are absolutely high in fat. But there is much literature pointing to evidence that consumption of monounsaturated fats (including and especially avocados) lowers cholesterol.

If your doctor thinks avocados actually HAVE cholesterol I would find another doctor! This dr's blog is kind of funny, he specifically addresses an issue where he met someone whose dr. told her the same thing. http://www.drbriffa.com/blog/2003/05/25/avocado-pears/

Do ya know, I have a recipe book which subs some of the fat in chocolate cake with avocado. They swear you can't taste it as long as you let it cool first. I haven't tried it yet. Would be interesting to try w/avocado frosting. Maybe I'll test it out on some unsuspecting preschoolers...I just love "healthing up" their snacks LOL.