Home

Published

- 2 min read

Most Common Types of Cake Frostings

frosting cake baking buttercream dessert
img of Most Common Types of Cake Frostings

Explore the most popular types of cake frostings—from classic buttercreams to whipped cream, ganache, fondant, and more. Learn their textures, flavors, and best uses to choose the perfect finish for your cake.

🍰 Most Common Types of Cake Frostings

Learn about the most popular cake frostings, their textures, flavors, and ideal uses:

1. Buttercream Frosting 🧁

Base: Butter + Sugar

  • American Buttercream
    Sweet, simple, and sturdy. Made with butter and powdered sugar. Great for piping and beginner-friendly.

  • Swiss Meringue Buttercream
    Silky, smooth, and less sweet. Made by heating egg whites and sugar, then whipping with butter. Elegant finish.

  • Italian Meringue Buttercream
    Light and stable. Made by pouring hot sugar syrup into whipped egg whites, then adding butter. Professional-style.

  • French Buttercream
    Rich and custardy. Made with egg yolks and sugar syrup, whipped with butter. Great for luxurious cakes.

2. Whipped Cream Frosting ☁️

Base: Heavy Cream

  • Light, fluffy, and mildly sweet.
  • Perfect for fresh fruit cakes, Black Forest cake, or chilled desserts.
  • Requires stabilizer (e.g., gelatin, pudding mix) to hold shape longer.

3. Cream Cheese Frosting 🧀

Base: Cream Cheese + Butter + Sugar

  • Tangy, creamy, and soft.
  • Classic for Red Velvet, Carrot Cake, or Pumpkin Cake.
  • May need chilling before piping due to its softer texture.

4. Ganache 🍫

Base: Chocolate + Cream

  • Versatile: can be poured, whipped, or spread.
  • Rich and glossy.
  • Great for dripping on cakes, glazing, or sandwiching layers.

5. Glaze / Icing 💧

Base: Powdered Sugar + Liquid (milk, lemon juice, water)

  • Thin and pourable.
  • Sets with a slight crust.
  • Ideal for donuts, pound cakes, or bundt cakes.

6. Fondant 🎂

Base: Sugar + Gelatin + Glycerin

  • Rolled fondant gives a smooth, matte finish.
  • Used for wedding cakes and decorative themes.
  • More aesthetic than flavorful.

7. Boiled / Seven-Minute Frosting ☁️

Base: Egg Whites + Sugar Syrup

  • Fluffy, glossy, and marshmallow-like.
  • Best used fresh; doesn’t store well.
  • Perfect for vintage-style cakes and pies.