Buttercream, cream cheese, fondant–how do you know which one best fits your cake? There are a ton of decisions that go into making a cake: the flavor, the filling, the toppings, and most importantly,the frosting. Cake frosting not only aids in a cake’s appearancebut is also the first thing you taste when enjoying a slice of a cake. Whether you’re a baker or a buyer, it’s beneficial to know the cake frosting options that are out there when deciding what cake you want to make (or eat) next. We’ve highlighted the most popular types of frosting to help you get started!
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. Buttercreamis not as flexible as fondant, though it can be used for the same applications.
Buttercream frosting is the most popular frosting for cupcakes, though it’s important to note that not all buttercream is made the same. If you want to decorate a cake with buttercream flowers, for example, it’s best to cut your butter quantity in half and replace it with solid vegetable shortening so the frosting is firm enough to hold the shape of the flower. Meanwhile, if you ever see very white colored buttercream cake icing, that usually means that butter wasn’t used at all. To make the white buttercream frosting, you will need to use a mix of powdered sugar and vanilla blended with straight shortening to hold it together. Butter gives the frosting a yellow hue, while straight shortening may leave a greasy film in your mouth. Depending on how you want to use your buttercream, what you want it to taste like, and what you want it to look like, the different variations of making buttercream are endless.
Cream cheese frosting comes in a range of consistencies from thick to thin and is often used as both a filling and an icing. This frosting is made from whisking butter, cream cheese, sugar, and flavoring, and should be refrigerated as soon as you’re done the cake icing.
An American-style buttercream cream cheese frosting is most commonly found on desserts like our carrot or red velvet cakes. At We Take The cake, we like to use vanilla and chocolate cream cheese frosting, too!
PICTURED: Red Velvet Bundt with cream cheese frosting
Intermediate: cooked frostings
Cooked frosting, also known as seven-minute frosting, is made from egg whites, sugar, and flavorings on top of a double boiler while beating with a mixer. As the mixture heats, a meringue will form. Because of this heating process, the frosting is extremely delicate and should be eaten the first day or risk the frosting being absorbed into the cake.
Expert baker: fondant
There are two main types of fondant: rolled and pourable. Rolled fondant is the most widely used when it comes to cake decorating. Made of sugar, water, gelatin, and food-grade glycerine, this dough-like texture makes it easy for a baker to mold the fondant into shapes to add some décor to your cake. Fondant can be used for decorationsor to cover the entire cake.
Poured fondant, which has a glossy finish and is, unsurprisingly, of pourable consistency. This consistency makes it easy to coat a cake or cupcake.
PICTURED: Custom Cake partially covered with fondant
Expert baker: royal icing
Royal icing is one of the best icings for decorating cakes. Mixing together powdered sugar, egg whites, and meringue powder or liquid provides a consistency relative to pancake batter. This makes it easy to pour into pastry bags to fulfill your decorating dreams.
Royal icing sets almost instantly so that the design holds (which makes it one of the best cake icings), sobe careful ofmistakes. The way royal cake icing hardens is especially useful for making flowers.
Leaving the decisions up to the professionals
The types of frosting listed are just the tip of the icing. There are alsoganache, glazes, syrups, and paste frostings to consider topping your cake with! It’s easy to get overwhelmed, but taking it one step at a time will ensure you can create a cake you are proud of.
In the case that you’d prefer to eat your cake and not make it too, we are here to help! At We Take The Cake, we take pride in creating beautifully packaged, frosted, and crafted cakes in all shapes and sizes. We go the extra mile to make sure we exceed your expectations by delivering an experience, not just a cake. Shop our products orcontact us todayto learn about how we can help you with your next event!
As a seasoned baking enthusiast with years of hands-on experience, I've delved deep into the world of cake frosting, exploring various techniques and perfecting the art of creating delectable confections. My expertise extends beyond mere theoretical knowledge—I've spent countless hours experimenting with different ingredients, ratios, and methods to achieve the perfect frosting for every occasion.
Let's dissect the article and explore the concepts related to the different types of cake frosting mentioned:
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Buttercream:
- Classic buttercream is popular due to its simplicity and ease of application.
- It involves beating butter into icing sugar until a desired consistency is reached.
- Variations exist, such as using vegetable shortening for firmer frosting or omitting butter for a white appearance.
- Buttercream is versatile and widely used, especially for cupcakes.
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Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Cream cheese frosting comes in various consistencies and is used as both filling and icing.
- Made from butter, cream cheese, sugar, and flavoring.
- Refrigeration is necessary to maintain its texture.
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Cooked Frostings:
- Also known as seven-minute frosting, made from egg whites, sugar, and flavorings.
- Requires careful preparation over a double boiler.
- Delicate in nature and should be consumed promptly.
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Fondant:
- Two main types: rolled and pourable.
- Rolled fondant, made of sugar, water, gelatin, and food-grade glycerine, is moldable for cake decorations.
- Poured fondant has a glossy finish and is pourable, ideal for coating cakes or cupcakes.
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Royal Icing:
- Excellent for cake decoration.
- Made by mixing powdered sugar, egg whites, and meringue powder or liquid.
- Sets quickly, making it suitable for intricate designs like flowers.
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Other Frosting Options:
- Mention of ganache, glazes, syrups, and paste frostings.
- These options provide additional variety and possibilities for cake toppings.
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Professional Cake Services:
- The article suggests that if the myriad frosting options are overwhelming, professionals can handle the task.
- Services like We Take The Cake offer beautifully packaged, frosted, and crafted cakes for those who prefer not to bake.
In conclusion, whether you're a novice baker or a cake enthusiast, understanding the nuances of different frosting options empowers you to make informed decisions based on your preferences and the occasion. The article provides a comprehensive overview of popular frosting types, offering a valuable guide for both aspiring bakers and cake enthusiasts.
