Frosting Vs. Icing for Cakes, Cookies, and Donuts

Although many people use the words "frosting" and "icing" interchangeably, there is a big difference between the two pastry toppings. Do you know how they are different?

To think they are the same is to do an injustice to both of them. Each has its own personality. Besides, they are not made the same way. Even though both frosting and icing are delicious, their taste is not the same. However, most people don't notice because they are more focused on the dessert underneath.

Frosting Facts

Frosting is a topping for a cake or cupcake. It is similar to icing, but it is different. It is a sweet mixture used as a coating or filling for cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and donuts.

Frosting is a thick and fluffy coating made with cream or butter. Even though some cakes and cookies don't need to be decorated, frosting is usually the option most bakers choose. Not only is frosting used to beautify the dessert, it also enhances the taste.

Use frosting instead of icing if you want a creamy and buttery taste. Frosting is thicker than icing because it has a cream base instead of a sugar base. The butter in frosting gives the finished product a stronger, buttery taste.

Grocery stores have plenty of boxes of frosting mix on their shelves. However, most cooks like to use a quick and easy recipe to make their own. Simply mix soft butter with powdered sugar, salt, heavy cream, and vanilla extract. Food coloring can be added to frosting for decoration.

It is much easier to use frosting for decoration instead of icing. Frosting can hold sprinkles, flowers, and other decorations. Even though frosting is more popular as a topping, it can also be spread between layers of a cake.

Frosting is used more often on cakes and cupcakes than icing. It tends to be more popular than its first cousin. Even though people love both toppings, frosting is a favorite among children and adults.

Icing Facts

Icing is thinner than frosting. It has a sugary base rather than a creamy base. Like frosting, icing is used to cover or decorate baked goods, such as cakes, cookies, or donuts. Icing shines on the top of desserts because it is glossier than frosting. In fact, icing is sometimes referred to as glaze because of its shiny texture.

You can purchase icing from your local grocery store, but it is easy to make your own. You simply mix sugar and a liquid, usually melted butter, milk, or egg whites. Add vanilla extract for that extra good taste.

It is better to choose icing rather than frosting to top cookies. Icing can be used to top cupcakes, but frosting is much better because of its creamy consistency. Icing is too thin for cupcakes.

As you can see from the above chart, frosting and icing are not the same. They are different in the way they are used, the way they look, their ingredients, consistency, popularity, and taste.

While frosting is fluffy, icing is glossy. The consistency of frosting is thick, while the consistency of icing is thin. The taste of frosting is buttery, and the taste of icing is sugary. Frosting is the more popular term used.

A big similarity is that frosting and icing are used on top of cakes, cookies and donuts and between layers of cakes.

Which do you prefer?

Even though both can be used interchangeably, frosting appears to be more popular. When trying to decide which to use, think of the consistency and taste you want for your dessert. Then think of the two this way:

“Frosting is the cozy quilt on a cake, while icing is the silk scarf that drapes it.”

“If frosting is the party dress, icing is the elegant accessory."