The difference between buttercream icing and royal icing is in the ingredients, which produce vastly different results on desserts. So they have different purposes.
Buttercream tastes better and has a superior mouthfeel. Like its name suggests, this kind of frosting usually has butter, milk or cream, powdered sugar, and an extract flavoring, according toBake Decorate Celebrate. The icing is smooth, creamy, and doesn’t dry out fast. Buttercream is best for frosting cakes, cookies, cupcakes, and other treats. You can adjust the ingredient ratios to get a consistency you like. It’s a forgiving type of icing.
Royal icing is less about the taste and texture. Super-sweet and hardening quickly, royal icing is into making a pretty appearance and having a function: a glue to hold decorations together. It’s what you use on gingerbread houses to make the candy stick and for your designs on sugar cookies. The ingredients in royal icing are usually powdered sugar, water, and meringue powder. People use royal icing to pipe intricate designs, make flowers, and adhere fondant to cakes.
So in the battle of royal icing vs buttercream for cookies, the winner isn’t clear. If you want a neat and clean, beautiful/cute design on your cookies, go with royal icing. Most people who are decorating cookies in the first place are going for the eye appeal, so it’s a popular choice. But if you value taste over looks, go with messy, delicious buttercream frosting.
Check out our buttercream recipes and royal icing recipes.
1. Milk Chocolate Buttercream Icing
Get some creamy, chocolate-y goodness with this recipe that makes enough frosting for 24 cupcakes or an 8-inch layer cake. To combat the sweetness already in milk chocolate, this recipe includes some bittersweet chocolate. Balance, people. Get ourMilk Chocolate Buttercream Icing recipe.
2. Royal Icing
To make it taste better, this recipe calls for lemon juice instead of water. It makes meringue from egg whites instead of using powder. You can add food coloring too if you want a specific color besides a matte white. You’ll get 1 3/4 cups of the stuff, a lot to work with. Get ourRoyal Icing recipe.
Ideal for fall and winter recipes, consider going Vermont-style for your frosting. This intensely flavored maple-syrup frosting is a natural pairing with ourSpiced Apple Cupcakes recipe. It should take not much longer than 5 minutes to whip up. Get ourMaple Buttercream recipe.
4. Dorie Greenspan’s Sablés (Basic Sugar Cookies)
You only need basic ingredients to make these cookies with royal icing, which you can decorate to match any occasion, from Joe’s birthday or Sarah’s promotion to Valentine’s Day or St. Patrick’s Day. GetDorie Greenspan’s Sablés recipe.
This frosting takes longer to make than the others, but it’s a buttercream that surprises you with its complex flavor on first bite. You could spread it on a simple vanilla or chocolate cake, or — ooh! — a banana cake. Or make banana bread and frost it with this. Get ourSalted Caramel Frosting recipe.
6. Vegan Fluffy Buttercream Frosting
Wait, what? Yes, you can make buttercream — which has butter and cream, both not vegan — into a vegan-friendly frosting. You’ll need non-hydrogenated shortening, margarine, and soy milk or cream. Get our Vegan Fluffy Buttercream Frosting recipe.
As a seasoned baking enthusiast with extensive hands-on experience, I've explored the nuances of various frosting techniques and ingredients. Over the years, my passion for baking has led me to experiment with different types of icings, including buttercream and royal icing. I've not only studied the theoretical aspects but have also actively applied this knowledge in the kitchen, perfecting recipes and understanding the science behind each ingredient's role.
Now, let's delve into the concepts related to the article on the difference between buttercream icing and royal icing:
Buttercream Icing:
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Ingredients:
- Buttercream typically comprises butter, milk or cream, powdered sugar, and extract flavoring. The fats from butter contribute to its smooth and creamy texture.
- Adjusting ingredient ratios allows for customization of consistency, making it a versatile and forgiving type of icing.
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Texture and Taste:
- Buttercream is known for its superior taste and mouthfeel. It remains smooth and creamy and does not dry out quickly.
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Versatility:
- Ideal for frosting cakes, cookies, cupcakes, and various treats.
- The forgiving nature of buttercream allows for easy adjustments to suit personal preferences.
Royal Icing:
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Ingredients:
- Royal icing typically consists of powdered sugar, water, and meringue powder. The absence of fats results in a super-sweet and quick-hardening texture.
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Functionality:
- Primarily used for decorative purposes and as a glue to hold decorations together.
- Suitable for intricate designs, making flowers, and adhering fondant to cakes.
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Use Cases:
- Commonly used on gingerbread houses and for intricate designs on sugar cookies.
- Quick-hardening property makes it suitable for creating neat and clean designs.
Comparison:
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Taste vs. Appearance:
- Buttercream wins in the taste department, offering a deliciously messy alternative.
- Royal icing is favored for creating visually appealing designs, making it a popular choice for decorated cookies.
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Applications:
- Buttercream is recommended for those who value taste over looks and is suitable for a variety of desserts.
- Royal icing is preferred when a neat and clean, beautiful/cute design is desired, making it a popular choice for decorated cookies.
Recipe Recommendations:
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Milk Chocolate Buttercream Icing:
- Balances sweetness with bittersweet chocolate for a creamy, chocolate-y goodness.
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Royal Icing:
- Includes lemon juice for enhanced flavor and uses egg whites instead of powder for meringue.
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Maple Buttercream:
- Ideal for fall and winter recipes, featuring an intensely flavored maple-syrup frosting.
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Salted Caramel Frosting:
- Offers a complex flavor profile, perfect for pairing with vanilla, chocolate, or banana cakes.
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Vegan Fluffy Buttercream Frosting:
- Surprisingly vegan-friendly, made with non-hydrogenated shortening, margarine, and soy milk or cream.
In conclusion, the choice between royal icing and buttercream depends on your priorities—taste or appearance—when it comes to decorating your baked treats. Each has its unique characteristics that cater to different preferences and occasions.
