Frosting vs Icing: What's the Difference?

If you desire your cakes and cookies to wait and taste their best, know the departure between frosting vs. icing.

Many people use the words "frosting" and "icing" interchangeably, merely pastry chefs and bakers know the difference. To get the look, taste and texture you lot're going for every time you decorate a cake, cookie or doughnut, here's what to know virtually frosting vs. icing.

What Is Frosting?

Frosting is thick, fluffy, creamy and holds its shape well. Its key ingredients are ordinarily butter, granulated or confectioners' sugar, and sometimes eggs, plus a splash of dairy and a flavored extract. You lot'll need an electrical hand mixer or stand mixer to make it.

You tin achieve almost whatever color, texture, flavor and level of sugariness you desire with homemade frosting! Too extracts, your options for adding flavor to bones frostings—and icings, for that thing—include fruit zests, jams and chocolate.

Homemade Frosting Recipes to Peak Whatever Dessert

Italian Meringue Buttercream

I apply this creamy Italian meringue buttercream on my lemon-raspberry cupcakes. It's not every bit sweet as American buttercream, so information technology actually complements the sweetness of the cupcakes. —Katelyn Craft, Stamford, New York

Peanut Butter Buttercream Frosting

This simple peanut butter buttercream frosting makes enough to frost a 3- or four-layer cake. For peanut butter-lovers, this is the simply frosting they need in their recipe boxes. —Iola Egle, Bella Vista, Arkansas

Get tips from our Test Kitchen on how to frost a cake so it looks fresh from the bakery.

Chocolate Ganache

This smooth, satin chocolate ganache recipe will bring a touch on of elegance to even the most basic block. A uncomplicated garnish, similar fresh fruit, adds the finishing bear on. —Taste of Dwelling Test Kitchen

Learn how to decorate a cake like a pro!

French Buttercream

French buttercream has a custard-like texture and is cracking if you're going to exist pipe shapes or decorations. —Taste of Habitation Test Kitchen

Best Vanilla Buttercream

Why is this recipe crowned the best vanilla buttercream frosting? With its powerfully decadent vanilla bean flavour and delightfully creamy texture, your family and friends will scrape every last bit of this frosting off their plates. —Margaret Knoebel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Chocolate Peanut Butter Frosting

Chocolate and peanut butter are such an enjoyable combination. This succulent chocolate peanut butter frosting makes a satisfying topping to these moist chocolate cupcakes.—Ruthe Stevenson, Minneapolis, Minnesota

German language Buttercream

This German buttercream frosting is super silky and buttery. It's pleasantly sweet, simply not overly sugariness similar some American buttercreams can exist. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Cream Cheese Frosting

This smooth, versatile cream cheese frosting has a delicate vanilla flavor. The woman who fabricated the nuptials cake for our daughter, Leanne, and her groom, Baton, used this recipe. Information technology's too excellent on carrot block. —Sharon Lugdon, Greenbush, Maine

Rich Chocolate Frosting

My married man, Doug, loved his chocolate groom'southward block that was topped with this polish, rich chocolate frosting and accented with chocolate-covered strawberries. —Amy Via, North Richland, Texas

Blackberry Buttercream

Juicy blackberry buttercream frosting has a stunning colour and sophisticated flavour. This frosting works especially well on rich, decadent chocolate cake. —Jocelyn Delk Adams, GrandBaby-Cakes.com

Like shooting fish in a barrel Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

After trying a few buttercream frosting recipes, this easy buttercream frosting takes the cake with its unmatchable homemade taste. With a few simple variations, you tin come up upwardly with different colors and flavors. —Diana Wilson, Denver, Colorado

Former-Fashioned Ermine Frosting

Ermine frosting brings back memories of being in the kitchen with my grandmother. This old-timey frosting was her go-to for cakes when she didn't take cornstarch or cream cheese. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Cupcake Frosting

Simple vanilla frosting is a smashing topper for any cupcake. I frosted 300 cupcakes with this recipe for my wedding in lieu of a traditional cake. It made for a delicious conjugal twist. — Annie Rundle, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Peanut Butter Whipped Cream Frosting

A luscious peanut butter whipped foam frosting is merely a few ingredients away. Try it piped over your favorite chocolate cupcakes or dolloped onto hot chocolate. —Taste of Domicile Exam Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Royal Icing

Curious to learn how to make regal icing? Our Exam Kitchen experts have mastered this purple icing recipe for this stunning cookie decoration. Regal icing is different from other types of icing considering it dries quickly and has a super-smooth terminate—perfect for decorating! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Fluffy White Frosting

For a heavenly lite and fluffy frosting, yous can't top this cooked version. You'll definitely want to lick the beaters after whipping upward this modern variation of the classic 7-infinitesimal frosting. —Georgia Bohmann, West Allis, Wisconsin

Amaretto Butter Frosting

Put the crowning bear upon on cupcakes with this rich and buttery Amaretto topper. —Anette Stevens, Olds, Alberta

Bakery Frosting

This recipe makes it piece of cake to capture the fabulous flavor of cakes from the all-time bakeries. A large batch of this sweet frosting keeps for iii months in the fridge. —Barbara Jones, Belfry Loma, Illinois

Vanilla Frosting

Don't know how to make icing for cake but don't want to settle for shop-bought frosting? This 4-ingredient piece of cake vanilla frosting recipe is the perfect topper for your cakey creations. The homemade taste just can't be beat. —Mary Faulk, Cambridge, Wisconsin

Creamy Fudge Frosting

For every occasion that calls for chocolate frosting, go on this fudgy recipe close by. With but five ingredients from the pantry, you've got magic in minutes. —Linda Schend, Kenosha, Wisconsin

Strawberry Cupcakes with Whipped Cream Frosting

Fresh strawberries are full of water, then they accept a tendency to weigh downward cake batters and make soggy cakes. That'due south why these strawberry cupcakes rely on strawberry jam or preserves. The concentrated flavor is just correct for light and tender cupcakes. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

Winter White Filling or Frosting

How versatile! Ready this recipe for use as a cake filling, frosting or both. —Sarah Thompson, Greenfield, Wisconsin

Rich Buttercream Frosting

A few simple ingredients make a creamy frosting that finishes cakes, cupcakes and cookies. If you love making desserts, keep this frosting recipe handy. —Taste of Habitation Test Kitchen

Confetti Birthday Cake with Chocolate Buttercream

This is a moist confetti cake with lots of sprinkles and a whipped chocolate buttercream. It's perfect for birthday celebrations! —Courtney Rich, Highland, Utah

Apple Pie Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream

These apple tree pie cupcakes are always a hit! They are then easy to make and the season simply screams fall. Of course, they're just as delicious any other time of year. —Jennifer Stowell, Deep River, Iowa

Emily's Strawberry Cake with Strawberry Buttercream

My husband loved his mamaw'south strawberry cake recipe. He thought no one could duplicate it. I made it, and it'south simply as scrumptious as he remembers. —Jennifer Bruce, Manitou, Kentucky

Espresso Filling

Coffee lovers will go crazy for cakes made with this heavenly filling. It'south rich, corrupt and irresistible! —Megan Byers, Wichita, Kansas

Maple Coat for Doughnuts

Cider doughnuts are a tradition in Vermont, only here in Texas, we dear maple flavors, too. Our glaze of choice features succulent maple syrup. —Barbara Elliott, Tyler, Texas

Vanilla Bean Block with White Chocolate Ganache

For a distinctive dessert with unforgettable flavor, I recommend this cake. Feel free to substitute your favorite jam and lend your own touch to this signature treat. —Lisa Bogar, Coventry, Vermont

Gingerbread Cookies with Lemon Frosting

When I spread these spicy gingerbread rounds with my lemony cream cheese frosting, I knew I had a striking. Cardamom and allspice add a hint of chai tea flavor. —Aysha Schurman, Ammon, Idaho

Favorite Frosted Brownies

These are my tried-and-truthful brownies for many holidays. Anybody e'er agrees that they are absolutely yummy! I sometimes tiptop them with processed sprinkles for a footling color. —Barbara Birk, St. George, Utah

Buttermilk Cake with Caramel Icing

This fabled cake and caramel frosting are so tender, it melts in your mouth. It's been a family favorite since the '70s and it goes over really well at church potluck meals. —Anna Jean Allen, West Freedom, Kentucky

Confetti Block with Brown Sugar Buttercream

This simple and tender cake has been celebrated in my family for years. Dressed up with tinted frosting and confetti, information technology becomes pure party fun. — Karen Berner, New Canaan, Connecticut

Editor's Tip:Tint white frosting with liquid, gel or paste food coloring. Liquid volition give a pastel colour; gel and paste give a deeper color. Add a little at a time, stir in and check the colour. Y'all can ever add more than, but information technology's hard to lighten the color. The colour generally darkens as the frosting dries.

Banana Block with Chocolate Frosting

I ever requested assistant cake with fudge frosting for my birthday. Mom's recipe is attached to my fridge—and my centre. It'southward funny how many memories live on in a stained handwritten recipe card. On a more practical note: It's important to make sure the whipped cream cheese is truly at room temperature before you employ it. If non, it chills the softened butter and makes for lumpy frosting. —Jeanne Ambrose, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Frosted Pumpkin Doughnuts

Our three children grew pumpkins to sell. During harvest, it was time to make these scrumptious doughnuts. The orange frosting is super. —Connie Simon, Reed Metropolis, Michigan

Chocolate Spice Cake with Caramel Icing

I found this recipe back in the late '80s and knew it was a special cake. The caramel icing can be a little tricky because yous have to work quickly, but information technology's so worth it! —Mariann James, Ferguson, Missouri

Old-Fashioned Butterscotch Cake with Penuche Frosting

My aunt, who was born in the 1920s, passed this recipe downward to me. She made the cake from scratch from start to finish because she didn't have modern amenities to help her in the kitchen. The penuche frosting goes with the block nicely. —Beth Vorst, Columbus Grove, Ohio

Kokosnoot Block with White Chocolate Frosting

My husband adores coconut but non so much cake. When I take this beauty to family unit potlucks, he gets his coconut, as well. —Sharon Rehm, New Blaine, Arkansas

What Is Icing?

Icing has a thinner consistency than frosting and little to no fat. Its main ingredients are commonly confectioners' saccharide and a small amount of liquid: water, milk or cream.

Information technology's not airy, pillowy or rich. It tin even be a niggling runny—though you can hands arrange the consistency by adding more powdered sugar to thicken it or more liquid to loosen it. Thin your icing enough, in fact, and y'all've got yourself a coat.

Overall, icing seems to have fewer variations and uses in baking than frosting does, but it's super simple to make. A bones icing requires no special equipment or skills. You don't need a stand mixer or even a hand mixer. A whisk is ideal, merely even a fork will practice.

Frosting vs Icing: When to Employ Them

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In full general, frosting is best for thicker applications, and icing is best for thinner ones.

So, for case, if you're making a classic doughnut with sprinkles, y'all'll want to utilise icing. And while you'd exist hard-pressed to find anyone who'd decline an iced cupcake, frosting is what y'all'll usually find atop these treats.

Similarly, if you used icing between the layers of a cake, birthday party guests would probably be disappointed. But it's great for pouring over a Bundt block or pound block.

Cinnamon rolls? It'south a matter of preference. Try our Best Cinnamon Rolls recipe if you like frosting, or these Blood-red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls if yous want icing.

Cookie decorators beloved to use regal icing. It incorporates egg whites or meringue pulverization for stability and shine. Information technology'southward thick enough to pipe, but thin plenty for details.

All-time Uses for Frosting

• Filling and coating layer cakes and cupcakes
• Piping roses, spirals and florets
• Squishing out the sides of a whoopie pie or cookie sandwich
• Slathering over a warm cinnamon curlicue
• Spreading on copycat Lofthouse sugar cookies

Best Uses for Icing

• Decorating Christmas cookies
• Constructing candy houses
• Icing muffins and dumbo cakes
• Drizzling over rugelach
• Smoothing over decadent brownies or cake bars

Popular Types of Frosting

There are and then many different frostings, you lot could make a new i every day of the month! (Did we hear someone say "challenge accepted"?) Here are the main ones to know.

American Buttercream

A basic American buttercream is a unproblematic mixture of creamed butter and confectioners' sugar, slightly thinned with a splash of milk or cream and flavored with a compression of salt and a teaspoon or 2 of vanilla extract.

If yous're new to making your own frosting, American buttercream is "easy to make and requires lilliputian to no specialized equipment or practice," says Sense of taste of Home Food Stylist Josh Rink, a cake- and cookie-decorating expert. "The downside to American buttercream is that it is typically very sweet and the surface has a tendency to dry out when left exposed to the air."

The confectioners' carbohydrate makes it thicker and sweeter than many frostings, "merely it'southward an easier, all-purpose frosting that comes together fairly speedily and is easy to spread onto cake layers or cookies, or pipe onto cupcakes," says Gustatory modality of Home Culinary Banana Mark Neufang.

American buttercream is also like shooting fish in a barrel to modify with butter substitutes to make treats suitable for vegans and people with a dairy intolerance or allergy.

Swiss Meringue Buttercream

While American buttercream is ideal for beginners, Swiss meringue buttercream is the way to go for the best try-to-payoff ratio. In other words, it's a bit harder to make, but it'due south worth it.

"At that place are actress steps with heating the egg whites and saccharide, bringing it to the correct temp, and whipping this up into a frothy, heavenly, room-temp meringue earlier beating in the butter and vanilla—but a more luscious, delectable, easier-to-work-with buttercream you will seriously never notice," Mark says.

This silky-smooth, rich frosting is too a good pick if American buttercream is besides sweet for your taste.

"In order to make this frosting, you really need a stand mixer, patience and perhaps a petty bit of practise. Merely the effect is frosting that dreams are fabricated of," Josh adds.

Learn more than almost the most pop types of buttercream.

Choosing the Right Frosting and Icing Ingredients

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Confectioners' sugar is the same matter as powdered sugar, icing carbohydrate, 10X sugar or 12X sugar. It's made from pulverized granulated saccharide blended with a powdered starch. The type of sugar, type of starch and fineness differ among brands.

All-time Powdered Sugar for Frosting and Icing

"I e'er choose C&H Confectioners' Carbohydrate. This is because they use only 100% sugar cane," Josh says. "Some brands will sneak in beet sugar, which is not my preference."

Marking says that conventional confectioners' sugar can be gritty, so to get a smoother frosting, he suggests splurging a bit for an organic confectioners' sugar. "In my own experience, it's a little more refined and dissolves more than easily into the frosting than a standard confectioners' saccharide," he says.

For those who dislike cornstarch or have corn allergies, in that location are powdered sugars that utilize tapioca starch. Ane instance is Wholesome Organic Powdered Confectioners Sugar, which is too vegan (many sugars are not).

Best Butter for Buttercream Frosting

As for the butter in your buttercream, you may detect a deviation betwixt using cultured butter or another college-fatty butter like Amish butter. Withal, since these kinds of butter can get pricey, Rink says his standard is State-O-Lakes (and be sure to check out our Test Kitchen's favorite butter brands).

Using half butter, half shortening can be beneficial when you want a frosting that'southward less expensive, more stable at room temperature, fluffier or less buttery. Using all shortening can be a way to accommodate dietary concerns or preferences.

For most applications, nonetheless, you'll get a amend flavor and mouthfeel using all butter or a vegan butter substitute like Miyoko's vegan butter or Earth Balance vegan buttery sticks.

The Best Cakes for Frosting Lovers

Taste of Home

Come up-Home-to-Mama Chocolate Cake

You lot'll spend less than a one-half hour whipping upwardly this cure-all cake that starts with a mix. Sour cream and chocolate pudding make it rich and moist, and chocolate, chocolate and more than chocolate make information technology decadent condolement nutrient at its finest. —Sense of taste of Abode Test Kitchen Get Recipe

Pecan Cake with Cookie Butter Frosting

My mom and I bought a jar of cookie butter to attempt it out, and nosotros fell in dear with it. I knew the flavor would go well with maple syrup and pecans, and so I came upward with this cake. I like to make a pretty design on the top of the cake with pecan halves. —Natalie Larsen, Columbia, Maryland

Nana's Chocolate Cupcakes with Mint Frosting

Even though Nana is no longer with united states of america, her treats bring me so much joy every time I bake them. For a more indulgent version, double the frosting and pile information technology on high! —Chekota Hunter, Cassville, Missouri

Former-Fashioned Carrot Block with Cream Cheese Frosting

A pleasingly moist cake, this treat is the one I requested that my mom make each twelvemonth for my altogether. It's dotted with sweet carrots and a hint of cinnamon. The fluffy buttery frosting is scrumptious with chopped walnuts stirred in. One piece of this homemade carrot cake is never plenty—amend than all the other carrot cakes recipes I've tried!—Kim Orr, West Grove, Pennsylvania

Frosted Chocolate Cake

This recipe is my female parent'south oldest and most popular chocolate cake recipe. I always thought it should have a fancier name, simply this is what she called it. Mom would say a fancy name would not make it sense of taste meliorate. —Beth Bristow Due west Plains, Missouri

Piece of cake Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Subsequently trying a few buttercream frosting recipes, this easy buttercream frosting takes the cake with its unmatchable homemade taste. With a few simple variations, you tin can come up with different colors and flavors. —Diana Wilson, Denver, Colorado

Mamaw Emily's Strawberry Cake

My husband loved his mamaw'southward strawberry block recipe. He thought no 1 could indistinguishable it. I made it, and it's just as scrumptious equally he remembers. —Jennifer Bruce, Manitou, Kentucky

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Foam Cheese Frosting

I discovered this wonderful pumpkin cupcake recipe and changed a bit to arrange my taste. I dearest the flavor of pumpkin and the cinnamon makes ordinary cream cheese frosting extra special. When I made a batch for my husband to have to work, he said they disappeared in tape time. —Debbie Wiggins, Longmont, Colorado

Cranberry Coconut Cake with Marshmallow Cream Frosting

Filled with a homemade cranberry curd and smothered with i of the fluffiest frostings you've ever had, this tall block will brand a memorable impression at whatsoever gathering. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington

Chocolate Bavarian Torte

Whenever I take this eye-communicable torte to a potluck, I get so many requests for the recipe. —Edith Holmstrom, Madison, Wisconsin

Maple Walnut Cake

This maple-flavored cake with candied walnuts honors honey my granddad, who made maple syrup when I was a kid. Information technology honors his memory and has proven to be a favorite with family unit and friends throughout the years. —Lori Fee, Middlesex, New York

Ruddy Cola Cake

Red cola and marshmallows make a zippy chocolate dessert that is scrumptious topped with vanilla ice foam. — Cheri Mason, Harmony, North Carolina

Coffee-Chocolate Cake

Say happy birthday with this dark, moist cake. The basic buttery frosting has an unmistakable homemade sense of taste. With a few elementary variations, you tin come upwards with different colors and flavors. —Sense of taste of Domicile Test Kitchen

Marvelous Cannoli Block

A luscious, chocolate-studded cannoli filling separates the tender vanilla layers of this rich cake, which starts with a package mix. Information technology'southward best when served well chilled.—Antoinette Owens, Ridgefield, Connecticut

Pink Lemonade Stand up Block

If you love a moist and creamy cake, this is it. Lemon juice and lemonade give the layers a tangy touch, and the cream cheese frosting with sprinkles makes information technology pretty. —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Marvelous Marble Cake

Pound cake and chocolate brand the all-time marble block. — Ellen Riley, Birmingham, Alabama

Tropical Carrot Cake

I look forward to August because our family unit reunion means fun and dandy food, like this classic cake with the special flair it gets from pineapple. My nifty-aunt gave me this recipe, and I ever arrive for the reunion. —Victoria Casey, Enterprise, Oregon

Vanilla Bean Cake with White Chocolate Ganache

For a distinctive dessert with unforgettable season, I recommend this cake. Feel free to substitute your favorite jam and lend your own touch to this signature care for. —Lisa Bogar, Coventry, Vermont

Rich Buttercream Frosting

A few unproblematic ingredients make a creamy frosting that finishes cakes, cupcakes and cookies. If y'all beloved making desserts, keep this frosting recipe handy. —Taste of Abode Test Kitchen

Potluck High german Apple Cake

My female parent made this High german apple cake for my brothers and me when nosotros were kids. Information technology's an fantabulous choice for a Christmas potluck or actually any fourth dimension of year. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah

Ganache-Topped Chocolate Block

To say this block is elegant would exist an understatement. Information technology's worthy of special occasions, just once you learn how to make chocolate ganache, it's and then easy to whip together that you can enjoy it any 24-hour interval of the week. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Cupcake Frosting

Simple vanilla frosting is a corking topper for any cupcake. I frosted 300 cupcakes with this recipe for my wedding in lieu of a traditional cake. Information technology made for a delicious bridal twist. — Annie Rundle, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Minted Chocolate Torte

Our family has enjoyed this remarkable layered cake for years. It'due south a favorite for many occasions. —Barbara Humiston, Tampa, Florida

Coconut Block with White Chocolate Frosting

My husband adores coconut just not and so much cake. When I take this beauty to family potlucks, he gets his kokosnoot, too. —Sharon Rehm, New Blaine, Arkansas

Amaretto Butter Frosting

Put the crowning touch on cupcakes with this rich and buttery Amaretto topper. —Anette Stevens, Olds, Alberta

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