The Most Popular Cake Frosting, Ranked

Choose the cake frosting you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 24, 2024 06:56
At a bustling bakery, the choice of cake frosting can elevate a simple dessert into a memorable delight. With so many options available, it's often a struggle to decide which one truly enhances the cake's flavor and aesthetic. A confident preference in frosting brings clarity to one's pastry decisions, offering a guiding light in the myriad of sugary possibilities. Here, your opinions play a vital role in shaping a dynamic listing of beloved frostings. By casting your vote, you contribute to a collective wisdom that celebrates diverse tastes and preferences. This ongoing tally not only reflects current trends but also serves as an invaluable resource for those in search of their perfect frosting. Your insights ensure that the best choices rise to the top, informed by the palette of the public.

What Is the Most Popular Cake Frosting?

  1. 1
    55
    votes
    Buttercream frosting
    Raimond Spekking · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Buttercream is the most popular cake frosting, and it is made with butter, powdered sugar, and milk. It is creamy, sweet, and easy to work with, making it versatile for decorating cakes.
    Buttercream frosting is a classic and widely popular type of frosting used to decorate cakes and other desserts. It is known for its creamy, buttery texture and can be flavored and colored in various ways to suit different tastes and occasions.
    • Texture: Smooth and creamy
    • Flavor: Rich buttery taste
    • Ingredients: Butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract
    • Versatility: Can be flavored with various extracts or infused with fruits, chocolate, coffee, etc.
    • Stability: Sturdy enough for piping and decorating
  2. 2
    19
    votes
    Cream cheese frosting is a rich and tangy frosting that is made with cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla. It is commonly paired with carrot cake or red velvet cake.
    Cream cheese frosting is a smooth and creamy icing made with cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. It has a tangy and slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with many cake flavors. It is a popular choice for carrot cakes, red velvet cakes, and spice cakes.
    • Main ingredients: Cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract
    • Texture: Smooth and creamy
    • Flavor: Tangy and slightly sweet
    • Compatibility: Pairs well with carrot cakes, red velvet cakes, and spice cakes
    • Color: White or off-white
  3. 3
    31
    votes
    Chocolate ganache
    Glavior · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Chocolate ganache is a decadent and rich frosting made with chocolate and heavy cream. It can be used as a frosting or a filling for cakes, cupcakes, and pastries.
    Chocolate ganache is a rich and velvety filling made from chocolate and cream. It has a smooth, glossy texture and a deep, intense chocolate flavor. It is widely used in cakes, pastries, and other desserts to add a decadent touch. The ganache can be used as a filling, frosting, or glaze, depending on the desired application.
    • Ingredients: Chocolate, cream
    • Texture: Smooth and glossy
    • Flavor: Deep and intense chocolate
    • Versatility: Can be used as a filling, frosting, or glaze
    • Application: Cakes, pastries, and other desserts
  4. 4
    11
    votes
    Royal icing is a hard, smooth icing made with powdered sugar, egg whites, and lemon juice. It is commonly used for decorating cookies and cakes.
    Royal icing is a type of cake frosting that is widely known for its smooth and glossy appearance. It is made from a mixture of egg whites, powdered sugar, and lemon juice or water. Once applied, it hardens into a firm, crisp finish, making it perfect for decorating cakes, cookies, and other baked goods.
    • Consistency: It has a thick, glue-like consistency that can be thinned down for flooding or piped for intricate designs.
    • Texture: When dry, it develops a smooth, crisp texture that adds a satisfying crunch to cakes and cookies.
    • Coloring: Royal icing can be colored with food coloring to create vibrant and eye-catching designs.
    • Versatility: It is versatile and can be used for intricate piping, creating decorative accents, or simply covering the entire cake surface.
    • Drying Time: It dries relatively quickly, allowing for efficient decorating of baked goods.
  5. 5
    6
    votes
    Whipped cream frosting is a light and fluffy frosting made with heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla. It is commonly used for topping cakes and cupcakes.
    Whipped cream frosting is a light and creamy topping often used to frost cakes. Its smooth and fluffy texture, combined with its delicate flavor, make it a popular choice among cake enthusiasts. It is usually made by whipping heavy cream, sugar, and sometimes vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
    • Texture: Smooth and fluffy
    • Flavor: Delicate and creamy
    • Ingredients: Heavy cream, sugar, and optional vanilla extract
    • Preparation: Whipping the cream with sugar until soft peaks form
    • Usage: As a frosting for cakes
  6. 6
    7
    votes
    Fondant is a smooth and pliable frosting made with sugar, water, and gelatin. It is commonly used for covering cakes and creating intricate decorations.
    Fondant is a type of cake frosting that is commonly used to cover cakes, creating a smooth and sleek finish. It is known for its pliable texture, allowing it to be rolled out and draped over cakes for a seamless appearance. Fondant is often used for special occasions, such as weddings or birthdays, to achieve a polished and professional look. It can be flavored and colored, making it versatile for a variety of cake designs.
    • Pliable texture: Fondant can be easily rolled out and draped over cakes.
    • Smooth finish: It creates a flawless and even surface on the cake.
    • Versatility: Fondant can be flavored and colored to match various cake designs.
    • Long shelf life: When stored properly, fondant can last for several months.
    • Moldability: It can be molded and sculpted into intricate shapes and designs.
  7. 7
    6
    votes
    Meringue frosting is a light and airy frosting made with egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar. It is commonly used for topping pies and cakes.
    Meringue frosting is a light and airy type of frosting that is made from beaten egg whites and sugar. It has a delicate texture and slightly sweet taste, which makes it a popular choice for cakes and desserts. The frosting is typically piped or spread onto the cake's surface and can be further caramelized or torched for added flavor and visual appeal.
    • Ingredients: Egg whites, sugar
    • Texture: Light and airy
    • Taste: Slightly sweet
    • Usage: Cake frosting and dessert topping
    • Preparation method: Beating egg whites and sugar until stiff peaks form
  8. 8
    9
    votes
    Seven-minute frosting is a light and fluffy frosting made with egg whites, sugar, and water. It is commonly used for topping cakes and cupcakes.
    Seven-minute frosting is a light and fluffy frosting that is typically used to top cakes or cupcakes. It is known for its soft texture and glossy appearance.
    • Preparation Time: 7 minutes
    • Ingredients: Granulated sugar, egg whites, cream of tartar, water, vanilla extract
    • Texture: Light and fluffy
    • Appearance: Glossy and smooth
    • Flavor: Sweet and vanilla-infused
  9. 9
    4
    votes
    Caramel frosting is a rich and sweet frosting made with brown sugar, butter, and heavy cream. It is commonly used for topping cakes and cupcakes.
    Caramel frosting is a rich and creamy topping made from caramelized sugar. It adds a luscious sweetness to cakes and is loved by caramel enthusiasts. The creator of caramel frosting is unknown, however, it has been enjoyed by bakers and cake lovers around the world for many years.
    • Texture: Smooth and creamy
    • Flavor: Rich and sweet caramel
    • Color: Golden brown
    • Consistency: Spreadable and holds shape
    • Versatility: Suitable for various cake flavors
  10. 10
    7
    votes
    Peanut butter frosting is a creamy and nutty frosting made with peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar, and milk. It is commonly paired with chocolate cake or cupcakes.
    Peanut butter frosting is a creamy and delectable frosting that is made with peanut butter as the star ingredient. It is a favorite choice among cake enthusiasts who love the rich and nutty flavor of peanuts. This frosting perfectly complements a variety of cake flavors, especially chocolate and banana. It is typically used as a topping for cakes, cupcakes, and cookies, adding a delightful twist to any dessert.
    • Flavor: Rich and nutty with a distinct peanut butter taste
    • Texture: Smooth and creamy
    • Color: Light to medium brown
    • Sweetness: Moderate to sweet, depending on the amount of sugar added
    • Ingredients: Peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, optional cream or milk

Missing your favorite cake frosting?

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Ranking factors for popular cake frosting

  1. Flavor
    The taste of the frosting is crucial in determining its popularity. Consider the balance and intensity of flavors, the combination with the cake, and the general preference of the consumers.
  2. Texture
    The texture of the frosting should be smooth, creamy, and easy to spread. It should hold its shape well and not be too stiff or too runny.
  3. Ingredients
    Take into account common allergens, artificial flavors/colors, and the overall quality of ingredients. Some people prefer natural ingredients and others may have dietary restrictions, affecting the popularity of certain frostings.
  4. Versatility
    A popular frosting should work well with various types of cakes and desserts. The frosting must be able to complement and enhance the flavors of different cakes, and cater to different occasions and consumer preferences.
  5. Ease of use
    A frosting that is easy to work with and simple to apply is more likely to be popular among home bakers and professional cake decorators.
  6. Shelf life and stability
    Frostings that hold up well over time and do not degrade in quality or appearance are likely to be more popular. This is especially important for store-bought frostings or for cakes that might be displayed for a while before consumption.
  7. Aesthetics
    The appearance and presentation of the frosting play a significant role in its popularity. People often prefer frostings that look attractive and can be easily colored or piped into intricate designs.
  8. Availability
    The accessibility and availability of the frosting in various stores and online platforms can contribute to its popularity. A frosting that is readily available and easy to find would be preferred over those that are difficult to source.
  9. Price
    The cost of the frosting can make or break its popularity. Frostings that offer good value for money, without compromising quality and taste, are likely to be more in demand.
  10. Customer reviews and feedback
    Popularity can be gauged by reviewing customer feedback and ratings on various platforms, such as websites and social media. High ratings and positive reviews can lead to increased popularity and demand for a particular frosting.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular cake frosting. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or frosting is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1280 views
  • 154 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each frosting once every 24 hours. The rank of each frosting is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most popular cake frosting

Cake frosting is an essential part of any cake, adding both flavor and visual appeal. It's no wonder that the world of cake frosting is vast and varied, with countless options to choose from. From classic buttercream to rich ganache and everything in between, there's a frosting out there for every taste and occasion. But what is the most popular cake frosting? Let's take a closer look at the most beloved options and find out what makes them so special.

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