Frosting vs. Icing: Is There a Difference?

In a word: yes! Frosting and icing are different, and although they're used for very similar purposes, they are not 100% interchangeable. When it comes to frosting vs. icing:

Frosting is usually what you see on cupcakes or coating cakes. It's a thick, cloudlike substance that can be piped out into swirling shapes or smoothed with a knife. You can't see through it, and it is often colored with food dye. Frosting doesn't dry, so it retains a fluffy consistency.

Icing, on the other hand, is a sugary glaze. Icing is glossy and usually at least somewhat transparent, although food coloring is sometimes added for cookie icing. Icing dries hard. It is too thin for piping or shaping. Generally, icing is seen as a glaze on top of muffins and cakes.
 

Since these two different pastry toppers are used for similar purposes, what exactly makes them look and taste so different? Well, frosting and icing are made with different ingredients.

The base of frosting is either shortening or cream cheese. This is great for giving a cake a bright white color. Sugar has to be added in to give it sweetness, or the amount of sugar could be lessened for a subtler effect.

Icing uses a pure sugar base.  Icing is merely pure confectioner's sugar mixed with melted butter, milk, egg whites, or other liquids. As you can imagine, this means that icing is much sweeter than frosting. That's also why icing is often only used as a thin glaze, whereas frosting is often seen in heaps and piles--a little icing goes a long way!

Ingredients are extremely important, and the usage of different ingredients is one of the biggest differences in frosting vs. icing.
 

When thinking about frosting versus icing, which one is better? The answer is that both are good choices, but for different purposes.

If your aim is for a more classy, elegant, or minimalist aesthetic to your pastry, icing is the way to go. Icing usually wows in a more understated way. On the other hand, if you want bright colors, intricate swirls, or great designs, frosting is much easier. Frosting is a great vessel for color, and unlike icing, frosting can add height to your dessert.

As for taste, frosting is a great pick for a creamier, fluffier texture, and if you want the sugar flavor to be subtle, you can achieve that with frosting. Conversely, icing can provide a strong sugary flavor.
 

You may be wondering where buttercream fits in. Buttercream is similar to frosting, but there is still one major difference between frosting and buttercream. Buttercream uses a butter base, not shortening or cream cheese. This gives a rich, creamy texture, and can cut down on sweetness. Some people prefer this to frosting due to the fact that shortening has no natural flavor, sometimes allowing the chemical taste of food dye or additives to shine through.

Buttercream is also a great choice for piping. You'll find that piping buttercream is very easy. Buttercream firms up well and keeps a good shape.
 

Now go forth into the world and bake! These are the best frosting recipes and easy icing recipes that we've got. Check them out:

Frosting:
Lemon Cupcakes with Lemon Curd Filling and Lemon Whipped Cream Frosting: This light lemon frosting is so good!
Peanut Butter Frosted Fudge Brownies: You'll be licking this peanut butter frosting off the spoon.
Pumpkin Cupcakes with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting: Is there anything better than citrus? Give this orange frosting recipe a shot.

Icing:
Fluffy Brown Sugar Icing: This delicate, easy icing recipe is ridiculously tasty.
Royal Icing for Decorating: This easy royal icing recipe is perfect for decorations.
Cherry-Almond Winter Cake with Sour Cream Icing: The sour cream in this icing gives it a subtle, delicate flavor.

Bonus -- Buttercream Recipe:
White Chocolate Buttercream: This easy buttercream recipe is ridiculously decadent.