Final answer:
The sentence contains a dangling modifier error because the phrase 'Trying a variety of frostings' does not logically modify the subject 'the vanilla lemon cream.' The sentence should be rephrased to include who was trying the frostings.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sentence 'Trying a variety of frostings, the vanilla lemon cream was the clear winner.' contains a dangling modifier. A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that modifies a word not clearly stated in the sentence. In this case, the phrase 'Trying a variety of frostings' seems to modify 'the vanilla lemon cream,' but frostings cannot try themselves.
A misplaced modifier occurs when a modifier is separated from the word it is supposed to modify, resulting in confusion or ambiguity. In this sentence, the phrase 'Trying a variety of frostings' is the modifier, but it is placed before the subject 'the vanilla lemon cream' instead of directly modifying it.
The correct sentence should clearly state who or what was trying the different frostings, such as 'As we tried a variety of frostings, the vanilla lemon cream was the clear winner,' to have the modifier appropriately modify the actual doer of the action.