Frosting vs. Icing — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 16, 2023
Frosting is a thick and creamy spread used to coat the outside of cakes; Icing is a thinner, often glossy glaze that hardens when set.
Difference Between Frosting and Icing
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Frosting is typically thicker, fluffier, and has a creamy texture. It is often butter-based and is used to coat the outside of cakes and cupcakes. In contrast, Icing is a sugary glaze that is usually thinner and can become hard when it sets.
In many baking contexts, Frosting can be used as a filling between cake layers due to its thick consistency. Icing, on the other hand, is often drizzled or poured over pastries, such as donuts and scones, giving them a glossy finish.
Frosting generally requires whipping or beating to achieve its fluffy texture, often containing ingredients like butter, sugar, and milk or cream. Icing, meanwhile, commonly consists of confectioners' sugar and a small amount of liquid, such as milk or lemon juice.
Both Frosting and Icing come in various flavors and colors, often tailored to complement the baked goods they're paired with. However, Frosting tends to hold up better to added ingredients, such as chocolate or cream cheese, because of its robust nature, while Icing is typically more straightforward in composition.
In terms of application, Frosting is usually spread using a knife or spatula, and its thicker consistency is suitable for creating decorative shapes. Icing, being thinner, is often applied with a piping bag or simply poured, resulting in a smooth, glossy appearance.
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Comparison Chart
Texture
Thick and creamy
Thin and can be glossy
Common Use
Coating for cakes and fillings
Glaze for pastries and detailed decorations
Main Ingredients
Butter, sugar, milk/cream
Confectioners' sugar, liquid (e.g., milk, lemon juice)
Application Method
Spread with knife/spatula
Drizzled, poured, or piped
Finish
Matte and fluffy
Can be glossy and hardens when set
Compare with Definitions
Frosting
A thick, creamy spread used to coat or fill baked goods.
She spread chocolate Frosting over the cake layers.
Icing
A thin, sugary glaze that hardens on desserts.
The Icing on the donut made it extra tempting.
Frosting
A sweet, butter-based coating for desserts.
Vanilla Frosting is a classic choice for cupcakes.
Icing
A sweet liquid mixture, often drizzled over pastries.
She added lemon Icing to the scones for a tangy finish.
Frosting
A soft layer used for both taste and aesthetics on pastries.
The Frosting added a sweet touch to the muffins.
Icing
A decorative element that can be piped on cakes.
The intricate designs were created using Icing.
Frosting
A whipped or beaten mixture for decorating cakes.
The red velvet cake had cream cheese Frosting.
Icing
A sweet glaze made of sugar, a liquid such as milk or water, and often other ingredients, spread over the surface of baked goods for flavor or decoration. See Note at frosting.
Frosting
Icing, as on a cake.
Icing
(Sports) A minor violation of the rules in ice hockey in which a player ices the puck, and the puck is not played by the goalie and does not go in the goal. Icing is not called when the team that has iced the puck is killing a penalty.
Frosting
A roughened or speckled surface imparted to glass or metal.
Icing
(cooking) A sweet, often creamy and thick glaze made primarily of sugar, often enriched with ingredients like butter, egg whites, or flavorings, typically used for baked goods.
Frosting
(US) Icing, a sweet, often creamy and thick, covering for cakes and other baked goods.
Icing
(ice hockey) A minor violation of ice hockey rules, occurring when a player shoots the puck from his/her side of the red line so that it crosses the goal line on the opponent's side. A team playing short-handed is not penalized for this.
Frosting
A layer of frost.
Icing
The process of forming a layer of ice on a surface.
Frosting
The theft of a car while it is left unattended, especially when its engine is left running in the winter to defrost the car.
Icing
Conditions conducive to the formation of ice on aircraft surfaces.
The Cessna pilots reported that moderate icing was present between 13,000 and 4,000 feet in the cloud layers.
Frosting
Present participle of frost
Icing
Present participle of ice
Frosting
A composition of sugar and beaten egg, used to cover or ornament cake, pudding, etc.
Icing
A coating or covering resembling ice, as of sugar and milk or white of egg; frosting.
Frosting
A lusterless finish of metal or glass; the process of producing such a finish.
Icing
The formation of frost or ice on a surface
Frosting
The lightened color on part of an object, as of hair, produced by treatment with bleach or other chemicals; as only part of the object is thus treated, the final color of the object is two-toned; also, the process of producing such a two-toned effect.
Icing
A flavored sugar topping used to coat and decorate cakes
Frosting
A flavored sugar topping used to coat and decorate cakes
Icing
(ice hockey) the act of shooting the puck from within your own defensive area the length of the rink beyond the opponent's goal
Frosting
A rich and smooth topping, often flavored and colored.
Strawberry Frosting complemented the lemon cake beautifully.
Icing
A glossy finish for baked goods, usually made from confectioners' sugar.
The cake had a thin layer of chocolate Icing.
Icing
A sweet glaze that can be flavored and colored for variety.
Mint Icing added a refreshing touch to the brownies.
Common Curiosities
Can I flavor and color both Frosting and Icing?
Absolutely! Both Frosting and Icing can be flavored and colored.
Can I use Icing as a filling between cake layers?
Typically, Frosting is used for fillings due to its thickness, while Icing is more for glazing.
Is Frosting typically butter-based?
Yes, many Frostings have butter as a primary ingredient, while Icing often does not.
Is Frosting thicker than Icing?
Yes, Frosting is generally thicker and creamier than Icing.
Which is glossier, Frosting or Icing?
Icing usually gives a glossier finish, whereas Frosting is often matte.
Are Frosting and Icing interchangeable in recipes?
Not always, as they have different textures and purposes. Frosting is for coating and filling, while Icing is for glazing.
Can you pipe both Frosting and Icing?
While both can be piped, Icing is usually thinner, and Frosting is often used for more detailed piping work.
Is Icing always sweet?
While most Icings are sweet, the sweetness level can be adjusted. Similarly, Frosting is generally sweet but can vary in sugar content.
What gives Frosting its fluffy texture?
Frosting gets its texture from whipping or beating, often with butter and sugar.
Can I add cream cheese to Icing?
While cream cheese is more commonly added to Frosting, some Icing recipes might incorporate it for flavor and consistency.
Is Frosting usually spread with a knife?
Yes, Frosting is often spread using a knife or spatula, whereas Icing is poured or piped.
Does Icing harden on pastries?
Yes, many types of Icing will harden when set, giving a glossy appearance.
Can Frosting be used for detailed cake decorations?
Yes, due to its thick consistency, Frosting can be used for detailed decorations, while thin Icing might be used for simpler designs.
Are there egg-based Icings?
Yes, some Icings, like royal Icing, contain egg whites. Frosting can also contain various ingredients, depending on the recipe.
Which is better for donuts, Frosting or Icing?
Icing is typically used for donuts due to its glossy and thin consistency, though Frosting can be used for a creamier finish.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
