Types of Frosting | Domino® Sugar (2024)

Is it a Frosting, an Icing or a Glaze?

The answer to this question lies in each type’s thickness and consistency. Frostings are the thickest and creamiest, followed by icings and glazes, which are thinner.

Some types are cooked, such as meringue-based frostings and chocolate glazes. Others, such as Royal Icings and certain Buttercream frostings, are simply mixed together without any cooking on the stove.

The basic frosting recipe contains butter, sugar, and a liquid such as water or milk. More liquid is added for an icing or glaze. Flavorings such as extracts, fruit zest or juice, and chocolate are often added. Eggs are used in cooked frostings.

Sugar is the most important ingredient in all types of frostings, providing sweetness, flavor, bulk and structure. Powdered sugar is best to use as it blends easier in uncooked frostings and dissolves faster in cooked types.

Types of Frosting | Domino® Sugar (3)

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Types of Frosting | Domino® Sugar (2024)

FAQs

What are the different types of sugar frosting? ›

Buttercream, flat, foam, fondant, fudge, royal, glazes, and cream cheese are the eight basic types of frosting.

What is the best powdered sugar for frosting? ›

If you generally use powdered sugar as the foundation for buttercream, frosting, or glaze, try looking for an organic, tapioca-based brand. Its silky mouthfeel, mellow flavor, and ability to thicken give you more luscious results.

What's the difference between royal icing sugar and regular icing sugar? ›

Icing sugar is also called “10x”, “powdered” or “confectioner's” sugar. It's a very finely ground sugar mixed with about 3% corn starch by weight. Royal icing is made by mixing icing sugar with egg white. Generally a 3:4 ratio of egg whites to cups of icing sugar (3 egg whites to 4 cups icing sugar).

What are the four types of frosting? ›

4 Common Types Of Frosting For Desserts
  • Cream cheese frosting. Cream cheese frosting and red velvet cake are traditionally paired with one another. ...
  • Ganache. ...
  • Basic buttercream frosting. ...
  • Whipped cream frosting.
Dec 29, 2016

What are the 7 general types of icing? ›

A Comprehensive Guide to Different Kinds of Icing, Glazes &...
  • Buttercreams. One of the most common and versatile cake toppings and fillings, buttercream actually covers a fairly wide array of different cake toppings. ...
  • Caramel icing. ...
  • Ganache. ...
  • Glaze. ...
  • Gum paste. ...
  • Fondant. ...
  • Fudge icing. ...
  • Marzipan.
Dec 22, 2015

Which icing sugar goes hard? ›

You will find that if you store pure icing sugar for extended periods or if you don't store it in a well-sealed container, you can expect it to become hard and develop large lumps, which can be really tricky to sift.

What powdered sugar do bakers use? ›

Confectioners' sugar is regular granulated white sugar that's pulverized to a powder so fine it's basically sugar dust. On its own, this powder will draw water from the air and clump, so cornstarch is added to prevent this (but don't worry, you won't taste it).

What's the difference between powdered sugar and powdered icing sugar? ›

Yes! Powdered sugar, confectioners' sugar (including confectioners sugar and confectioner's sugar too), icing sugar, and 10X (a reference to the size of the particles) are all the same.

What kind of sugar is used in preparing icing? ›

Icing sugar, also known as powdered sugar or confectioner's sugar, is made by finely grinding granulated sugar until it is a very fine powder.

Is there a substitute for icing sugar? ›

Granulated sugar

It will add some sweetness, just like with icing sugar, however, the texture will be different as the end result will feel grainy and crunchier. You can also use granulated sugar to make icing.

What happens if I use normal sugar instead of icing sugar? ›

"Regular sugar has a larger crystal size than powdered sugar," he explains. "This means, cup for cup, there would be more sugar in a cup of powdered sugar than in a cup of regular sugar." In addition to inconsistent measurements, regular sugar won't dissolve and mix as well into recipes like frosting and icing.

What frosting do professionals use for cakes? ›

SWISS MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Soft and fluffy, this buttercream is great for filling layers or frosting cakes. Hints & Tips: Since Swiss buttercream is so soft, it's better used for frosting cakes rather than piping or decorating. Make sure mixture is cool before adding butter, otherwise your butter will melt.

What kind of frosting do most bakeries use? ›

Buttercream Frosting

Buttercream frostings rely on the main ingredient of butter and will be the most common type of frosting you will find in a bakery.

Which is the most popular frosting icing? ›

Buttercream is the most popular type of frosting largely because of its few ingredients and easy application. Classic buttercream requires beating butter into icing sugar until you reach a frosting consistency. It's not possible to over beat this type of frosting, so the longer you beat it, the fluffier it gets.

What are the 5 different icings and frostings used in filling cakes? ›

5 Types of Cake Icing
  • Royal icing. Royal icing is the most traditional of all icings. ...
  • Glace icing. Glace icing is made with only two main ingredients: icing sugar and water (or other liquid like juice). ...
  • Fondant. Fondant is a type of icing that, unlike others, is much thicker in texture. ...
  • Buttercream. ...
  • Frosting.
Jan 26, 2023

What's the difference between icing sugar and frosting? ›

You'll be glad to know there is a distinction between the two. In broad terms, frosting is thick and fluffy, and is used to coat the outside (and often the inner layers) of a cake. Icing is thinner and glossier than frosting, and can be used as a glaze or for detailed decorating.

What are the six basic types of icing? ›

  • Butter Cream. Buttercream is softer and more spreadable than most icing and is the preferred choice for taste and flexibility. ...
  • Whipped Cream. If lighter frosting is what you need then whipped cream is the answer. ...
  • Royal Icing. ...
  • Cream Cheese Frosting. ...
  • Meringue. ...
  • Fondant.

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