Frosting vs. Icing

I have discussed this topic before, but recently have renewed interest in the issue.  Are the terms "frosting" and "icing" interchangeable?  Some believe they are....but maybe not. 

Frosting is usually thicker and creamier (like buttercream) and stays soft after it is applied to a cake or cupcake.  Icing is more fluid but after being applied to a cupcake, it dries and the appearance becomes more thin and hard.  Frosting is applied either by using a spatula or knife to make a mound over the cupcake. Icing is too hard to apply by using a spatula...it will just run off.

I think it is a regional thing.  "Icing" is more popular in Europe, and the term "frosting" is used more often in America, although where I am from in Mississippi, icing is the term used most often. 

Personally it doesn't matter to me which term is used....as long as the cupcake I am eating has tons of it on top!

summeringinseattle

calista lee

Hot Lava

Buttercream

The Buttercreams...no, it's not a new sitcom! Buttercream is a broad term for a type of frosting. It is usually a fat (butter, margarine or shortening) mixed with powdered sugar and a flavoring. The type of fat used depends on the environmental stability you need - a hot afternoon with pure butter would not be pretty. Some recipes call for non-fat milk solids and/or small amounts of egg whites. Buttercreams made with shortening can withstand warmer temperatures much better than those made only with butter.

Meringue buttercreams - a mixture of water and sugar are heated to form a syrup which is poured over egg whites and beaten to form a meringue The most common types are Swiss Meringue and Italian Meringue. French buttercream uses egg yolks instead of egg whites.

Decorator's buttercream - the sweetest and most firm of the buttercreams. Also called Rose Paste, it can be used as an icing and to create roses and other decorations.



There are numerous buttercream recipes and every baker has to experiment to find a recipe that works for your specific environment. What I use at Lake Tahoe would not be a good fit for my family in Mississippi. Google buttercream recipes and find the one that is right for you!

Frosting vs. Icing

Is there any difference between frosting and icing? Are they interchangeable terms? The answer is that they mean the exact same thing. The term "frosting" is used more often in the United States and "icing" is used more often other countries. This is probably because confectioners or powdered sugar is also known as "icing sugar."

The postings for this week will explore the most commonly used frostings/icings: how they are made and for what types of cakes they are best suited. I will include recipes!

• Ganache


• Swiss Meringue Buttercream


• Italian Buttercream


• French Buttercream


• Royal Icing


• Decorator's Buttercream


• American Buttercream


• Seven-Minute Icing


• Cream Cheese Frosting