As the proverb goes, “the icing on the cake is what really makes it.” And when it comes to cakes, cupcakes and other baked treats, there are all kinds of frostings, icing recipes and glazes to add flavor, texture and visual appeal. But before you get started, there are some basics to understand. This article covers 6 different ways to ice and decorate a cake for you and your guests to enjoy.
Frosting is a sweet, creamy topping that can take almost any dessert to the next level. It’s most often used to frost cakes but can also be swirled or spread on cupcakes and even cookies. Buttercream frosting is a popular option that’s easy to make, but there are countless others that will satisfy your sweet tooth and are perfect for any occasion.
Icing is a term that can be confusing for some, especially when it’s used in place of frosting in many recipes. While the two are closely related, there is a difference between them: frosting is typically thicker and more opaque than icing. Buttercream frosting contains butter but icing recipes usually combine powdered sugar with liquid (like water, milk or juice).
Both icing and frosting can be flavored with all sorts of ingredients for added depth of flavor. Some popular options include vanilla, chocolate, peanut butter and orange zest.
Another common ingredient in a lot of cake icing recipes is cream cheese, which is delicious on carrot cake, red velvet cake or even as a filling for doughnuts. It’s a little heavier than most types of icing but it has a creamy, slightly cheesy taste that can’t be beat.
When making cream cheese frosting, the key is to use a high quality product and beat it until it’s smooth and fluffy. Then gradually add in the powdered sugar while continuing to beat on medium speed until the icing is smooth and spreadable. It’s always a good idea to refrigerate your icing before spreading so it’s nice and firm.
Whipped icing is a lighter option that’s made by beating together softened butter and powdered sugar until it reaches a light, fluffy texture that teeters on the edge of mousse-like. This type of icing is perfect for covering a cake because it incorporates a lot of air which helps to keep it from being too dense or too sweet.
If you want to add a pop of color, try using food coloring in your whipped icing recipe or adding a few drops of extracts to enhance the flavor. It’s important to remember that if you’re adding color, it will affect the texture of your icing so be sure to test it on a small portion of your cake before you apply it to the whole thing. Also, it’s a good idea to tuck strips of parchment underneath your cake while you’re decorating to catch any drips and to help keep your plate or stand clean. Then, once the icing has set, remove the strips of paper.