Types of Frosting: 7 Basic Icing Styles and What the Pros Actually Use

Have you ever scraped the frosting off a cupcake and thought, Why doesn’t mine ever taste like this? Maybe you’ve admired the silky finish of a wedding cake or wondered how bakeries achieve that perfect swirl with their expert types of frosting. Whether you’re decorating for a party or indulging on a weeknight, knowing the different types of frosting is your first step to bakery-quality desserts.

From birthday favorites to upscale showstoppers, frosting adds more than flavor—it delivers texture, mood, and that final flourish. In this guide, we’ll unpack what are the 7 basic types of icing, explore what frosting professional bakers use, and help you pick the perfect match for any bake. Let’s jump in.

What’s the Difference Between Frosting and Icing?

When exploring the many types of frosting, it’s essential to first understand what sets frosting apart from icing. If you’ve ever asked what the difference between frosting and icing, you’re not alone. These two terms often get used interchangeably, but each brings something unique to your dessert.

Texture, Function, and Use

• Frosting is thick and fluffy, often made with butter or shortening. It’s perfect for spreading or piping onto cakes and cupcakes.
• Icing is thinner, shinier, and more fluid. It’s commonly drizzled over cookies and donuts to add a sweet, smooth finish.

According to instructors at Le Cordon Bleu, the right choice affects not just look, but also taste and longevity.

The 7 Basic Types of Frosting (And When to Use Each)

So, what are the 7 basic types of icing worth knowing? Each one has its own flavor, structure, and best use case. Mastering these types of frosting will expand your baking toolkit and improve your final results.

1. Buttercream (American, Swiss, Italian)

• Why you’ll love it: Creamy, versatile, and perfect for beginners
• Use it for: Cupcakes, tiered cakes, piping details
• Variations:
  • American: Sweet and simple to make
  • Swiss Meringue: Smooth, lightly sweet
  • Italian Meringue: Exceptionally stable and silky—ideal for clean piping and layer cakes

2. Cream Cheese Frosting

• Why you’ll love it: Tangy, smooth, and flavorful
• Use it for: Red velvet, carrot cake, banana bread
• Heads up: Great taste, but less ideal for elaborate piping

3. Whipped Cream Frosting

• Why you’ll love it: Feather-light and fresh tasting
• Use it for: Fruit cakes, trifles, or light desserts
• Pro Tip: Add gelatin for structure when piping

4. Ganache

• Why you’ll love it: Rich, decadent, and glossy
• Use it for: Drips, fillings, or whipped into frosting
• Bonus: Whipped ganache = fluffy chocolate frosting

5. Royal Icing

• Why you’ll love it: Harden beautifully for intricate designs
• Use it for: Sugar cookies, piping, edible décor
• Fun Fact: What is the hard frosting called? This is it—royal icing

6. Fondant

• Why you’ll love it: Ultra-smooth and show-ready
• Use it for: Wedding cakes, sculpted designs, professional finishes
• Keep in mind: Taste can be polarizing, but the look is unmatched

7. Glaze

• Why you’ll love it: Simple, shiny, and sweet
• Use it for: Donuts, bundt cakes, quick cookies
• Perfect for: Easy, eye-catching bakes

💡 Add a frosting-to-dessert chart here for quick reference.

What Type of Frosting Do Professional Bakers Use?

Ever wonder what type of frosting do professional bakers use? It’s not one-size-fits-all. Experts select based on structure, climate, and presentation.

Real Bakery Preferences:

• Swiss or Italian Meringue Buttercream – These are professional favorites for their smooth finish and piping power.
• Fondant – Common on wedding cakes thanks to its sculptable, matte surface.
• Ganache – Used for elegant cakes and indulgent fillings.
• Cream Cheese Frosting – Loved for bold flavor, especially on specialty cupcakes.

📌 Curious what frosting do most bakeries use? It’s often a combo: buttercream for taste, fondant for looks.

“I combine fondant and buttercream for my signature wedding cakes,” shares Buddy Valastro. So yes, what kind of frosting does Buddy Valastro use? Both.

Choosing the Right Frosting for the Job

When you’re faced with choices, think about what you need your frosting to do. Want height? Smoothness? Long shelf life? Understanding what kind of frosting holds its shape best will help you decide.

Common Questions Answered:

• What kind of frosting holds its shape best?
  • ✅ Italian and Swiss meringue buttercreams provide stability and detail.
• What type of frosting freezes the best?
  • ✅ Both buttercream and ganache freeze and thaw with minimal textural change.
• What kind of icing is used on a wedding cake?
  • ✅ Most often, it’s fondant layered over buttercream for flavor and form.
• What is the hard frosting called?
  • ✅ Royal icing—used for precision and durability.

📈 Consider including a flowchart or frosting selector tool here.

How to Make Store-Bought Frosting Taste Like a Bakery

Want to upgrade that store tub? Here’s how to make store frosting taste like bakery quality with just a few add-ins.

Simple Upgrades:

• Whip it – Add air for fluffiness
• Flavor it – Use extracts like vanilla or almond
• Enrich it – Stir in cream cheese, butter, or chocolate
• Balance it – A dash of salt can cut excess sweetness

🧁 Run a side-by-side test—store-bought can taste gourmet with just five minutes of effort.

The Most Popular and Best-Tasting Frostings (Ranked)

Not all frostings are created equal. Here’s how they rank by popularity and flavor.

Based on Popularity:

• American Buttercream – Easiest, most used
• Swiss Meringue – Pro favorite for refinement
• Ganache – Chocolate lovers’ dream

Best Tasting Picks:

• Swiss Meringue – Smooth, not too sweet
• Ganache – Rich, indulgent
• Top Store Frostings:
  • Pillsbury Creamy Supreme
  • Duncan Hines Whipped Vanilla

Use these long-tail keywords here:

• what is the most popular type of frosting
• what is the best tasting store-bought frosting
• what are the most popular icings

FAQ: Frosting & Icing Explained

Q1: What are the different types of frosting commonly used in baking?

A: Wondering what are the 7 basic types of icing? They include buttercream, cream cheese, whipped cream, ganache, fondant, royal icing, and glaze.

Q2: What is the hard frosting called?

A: That’s royal icing—it dries firm and is perfect for cookies.

Q3: What type of frosting do professional bakers use?

A: Professionals lean toward Swiss or Italian meringue buttercream for its versatility and appearance.

Q4: What are the categories of icing?

A: Icing types include royal icing, glaze, fondant, and poured icings—each with unique uses.

Q5: What kind of icing is used on a wedding cake?

A: Fondant is often used for its smooth, elegant finish, with buttercream beneath for flavor.

Your Next Step in Frosting Mastery

You’ve now got the full scoop on the types of frosting and how to use them like a pro. Whether you’re decorating cupcakes for a birthday party or building a multi-tier wedding masterpiece, your frosting choice matters.

The next time you spread, pipe, or glaze, you’ll do it with confidence—and your desserts will taste just as amazing as they look

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