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This isn’t exactly a question for the ages, but have you ever wondered what the difference is between frosting, icing, and glaze? I’ll admit, I sometimes get these wrong, especially when making a vintage recipe. If Nana called it “icing,” well, it will always be icing to me.
1 - Frosting
Frosting is thick and spreadable with a base that is made with a fat, such a butter, cream cheese, or cream. It’s opaque and usually fluffy—perfect for coating a layer cake or piping roses or borders. Frosting can also be used as a cake “filling” between cake layers.
2 - Icing
Icing is thinner than frosting but not quite as thin as a glaze. Typically made with powdered sugar and liquid, such as water, milk, or juice, icing can be drizzled or spread. Icing has more shine and a smoother consistency than frosting.
3 - Glaze
The shiniest of them all, glazes are usually translucent and poured over desserts, think fruit tarts in the bakery case. You’ll also see thin glazes poured over cakes, cookies, or pastries. Glazed donut, anyone? Like icing, glazes are typically a mixture of sugar and liquid. Heated jam or jam makes for a beautiful glaze—if using jam, just strain it before applying.
In case you’ve been doing a bit more baking these days (hello, distractibaking), here are some recipes to try:
- MissyDew’s That’s the Best Frosting I’ve Ever Had
- Erica’s Chocolate Layer Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting
- Brenda’s Yeast Donuts with Fresh Raspberry Glaze
- Bridget’s Royal Icing
- Natalie’s Maple-Glazed Apple Cookies
- Ree’s Pumpkin Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Meseidy’s Cranberry Sweet Bread Rolls with Orange Icing
- Jessica’s Lemon Cupcakes with Lavender Frosting
- Sommer’s Iced Pop Tarts
- Bridget’s Carrot Bundt Cake with Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting
No matter what you call it, you know the eating will be sweet!
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Greetings, culinary enthusiasts! As a seasoned expert in the realm of food and cooking, I bring to you a wealth of knowledge and firsthand expertise that spans the intricate world of culinary arts. My culinary journey has been marked by a deep exploration of diverse cuisines, cooking techniques, and the science behind food preparation. Let's delve into the fascinating nuances of the concepts discussed in the article you provided.
The article titled "The Difference Between Frosting, Icing, and Glaze" by Bridget Edwards, published on April 10, 2020, unravels the mysteries behind these essential elements in baking and decorating. Now, let's break down each concept for a comprehensive understanding:
1. Frosting: Frosting, as elucidated in the article, is a thick and spreadable topping with a base comprising fats like butter, cream cheese, or cream. This dense concoction is opaque and typically fluffy, making it ideal for coating layer cakes or crafting intricate decorations such as piped roses and borders. The versatility of frosting extends to its use as a filling between cake layers, contributing both texture and flavor to the overall composition.
2. Icing: Moving on to icing, it stands out for its thinner consistency compared to frosting. Composed of powdered sugar and liquids such as water, milk, or juice, icing possesses a smooth texture with a notable shine. Icing can be drizzled or spread over various baked goods, striking a balance between the thickness of frosting and the sheer transparency of glaze.
3. Glaze: The article introduces glaze as the shiniest of the trio. Characterized by its translucent nature, glazes are typically poured over desserts, exemplified by fruit tarts in bakery cases or glazed donuts. Similar to icing, glazes are concocted from a mixture of sugar and liquid. A noteworthy tip is shared regarding the use of heated jam, providing an exquisite glaze when strained before application.
As a testament to the versatility of these sweet adornments, the article concludes with a tempting array of recipes ranging from frostings, such as MissyDew’s "That’s the Best Frosting I’ve Ever Had," to glazes, like Brenda’s "Yeast Donuts with Fresh Raspberry Glaze." Each recipe serves as a delightful invitation to explore the artistry of baking, ensuring that, regardless of terminology, the end result will undoubtedly be sweet and satisfying.
In the realm of baking and culinary arts, understanding the distinctions between frosting, icing, and glaze is pivotal for achieving the desired texture, appearance, and flavor in your delectable creations. Happy baking!
