What icing means
Icing is a sweet coating or decoration spread, poured, piped or rolled onto cakes, cupcakes, biscuits, buns and pastries. It adds sweetness, flavour and moisture, keeps the cake from drying out and makes it look attractive. Most icings are based on icing sugar, the very fine powdered sugar that dissolves smoothly. In Britain, icing is used as a general word for all kinds, while in the US the word frosting is usually used for thick, creamy, fluffy coatings and icing for thinner, glossier ones. There are many different types.
Glacé icing, made by mixing icing sugar with water, lemon juice or other liquid, is thin and glossy and sets slightly, and is used for buns, biscuits and drizzles. Buttercream is a rich, creamy icing of butter and icing sugar, used to fill and cover cakes and pipe swirls on cupcakes. Cream cheese icing is tangy and creamy, classic on carrot cake and red velvet. Royal icing, made from icing sugar and egg white, sets hard and is used for wedding and Christmas cakes and decorating biscuits. Fondant icing, also called sugarpaste or ready-to-roll icing, is rolled out and draped over cakes for a smooth finish.
Ganache, fudge icing and meringue-based icings are also used. Icing can be coloured with food colouring and flavoured with vanilla, citrus, chocolate or coffee. You will see icing in most cake and baking recipes.