The Icing on the Cake: Four Frosting Choices Explained
When you first go to your baker, they are likely to toss numerous terms at you that you may not understand. Who ever knew that cake could be so complicated? These include the different types of icing. These are the four major different types of wedding cake frosting.
Buttercream Icing
A popular choice of brides, not only is this the cheapest per slice but it also has a texture just about everyone loves. This luscious icing is very smooth and creamy and is easily cut with a knife. Perfect if you have a lot of decoration on your cake such as swags or rosettes. It’s sweet but not too sweet, so will be a real crowd pleaser as they feel the buttercream literally melting in their mouths. You should ask the baker if they use real butter and real cream. Anything less will not turn out the same product.
Fondant Icing
Fondant icing is usually used for a more formal cake. It is made using a mixture of corn syrup, glycerin, gelatin, and sugar. Fondant has such a sleek appearance because it is a stiffer icing that is rolled into sheets and then wrapped around the different tiers of the cake. It is very versatile often used to secure flowers and cake toppers or as a decoration itself with the use of a piping bag. Fondant icing cannot be placed in a cold place, such as a refrigerator, so speak to your baker and talk about the different types of filling that you want to use. It’s still possible to use something such as a fruit filling but special provisions will need to be taken into consideration.
Marzipan Icing
It seems marzipan has been lending its elegant and beautiful look to cake and pastries since the beginning of time. Marzipan is made using ground almonds, sugar, and egg whites. At least twenty-five percent of the icing must consist of ground almonds otherwise it is seen as an almond paste. This icing is much like fondant in that it is stiff and rolled into sheets before being shaped into decoration or wrapped around the cake. Unlike fondant it can be used as a filling. If using marzipan for decorations, not only is it very easy to shape but it can also be painted with food coloring, making it more versatile.
Ganache Icing
If you have many a chocolate loving guest or if you just can’t get enough the stuff yourself, consider ganache frosting. This is made from chocolate and cream and has a very rich texture and taste. As it is made with a lot of cream, heat and humidity can greatly affect its texture. Keep refrigerated so the icing doesn’t run off your wedding cake!
