What Is Frosting and Icing? What Is Frosting and Icing Used For?

 

The Frosting and Icing are most identifiable by their thick and fluffy consistency. Because frosting holds its shape and is opaque in color, you'll see it often used and called for when you are decorating cakes and cupcakes. Another trait that sets frosting apart from icing is that it is always whipped, and unlike icing, its main ingredient is fat, such as butter or cream.

Key qualities of frosting: 

 • Thick and fluffy consistency 

 • Holds its shape when spread 

 • Opaque 

 • The main ingredient is fat (such as butter or cream)

Types of Frosting 

1. Buttercream Frosting is what is commonly used to top birthday cakes and is made from fluffy creamed butter and confectioner's sugar. The two are mixed until the frosting becomes creamy and light.

2. Cream Cheese Frosting is used many of the same ingredients as buttercream frosting; however, some of the butter is replaced by tangy cream cheese. This frosting is most often used to top red velvet cakes, carrot cakes, or lemon cakes.

3. Whipped Cream Frosting is made by whipping heavy cream and powdered sugar together until the frosting becomes creamy. You'll commonly see this frosting paired with black forest and pineapple cakes. Sometimes, cream cheese or other ingredients will be added to this frosting to add body or stability, but traditional whipped cream frosting does not have them.

What Is Icing? What Is Icing Used For? 

Unlike frosting, icing is thinner, glossier, and flows more due to its consistency. It's great for drizzling. Icing doesn't hold its shape like frosting and is regularly used in decorating as an accent to its frosting counterpart (a drizzle on top of a layer of frosting, for example). It is also used as the sole decoration or coating for pastries or donuts.

Key qualities of icing: 

 • Thinner, glossier with a more liquid-like consistency 

 • Doesn't hold its shape when spread 

 • Translucent when wet, more opaque once hardened 

 • Main ingredient is powdered sugar

There are a few varieties of icing, but the two most common are 

1. Royal Icing 

The most universal icing is royal icing, which is frequently used for cookie decorating or even used as the glue for your holiday gingerbread house. In addition to powdered sugar, this type of icing also includes egg whites to give the icing more stability.

2. Fondant 

A more advanced icing is called fondant, which has a dough-like consistency. You can pour or roll out fondant, cut out shapes, and create elaborate details to decorate elegant cakes for special events and celebrations.