Food - Drink
Icing Vs. Frosting: What’s The Difference?
By MICHELLE WELSCH
The words frosting and icing are often used interchangeably, but in the world of baking, these two terms refer to completely different substances. These are the differences between frosting and icing, from their textures and flavors, to the ingredients used to make them, to types of baked goods they are typically used with.
Icing is a thin, smooth, glossy spread that dries down to a harder consistency than a creamy frosting; it's typically made of powdered sugar, plus water, juice, or milk. Icing is commonly used to coat cookies or glue gingerbread houses together, and unlike fresh and perishable frosting, many icings can be stored for up to 6 months.
Unlike icing, frosting contains more fat in the form of butter, cream, or shortening, and it's meant to add structure and a soft, creamy texture to baked goods. Frosting also has more room for customization, and some popular variations include buttercream, cream cheese, meringue, and uniquely-flavored and -colored frostings.