Which Type Of Frosting Is Best?

Before you frost your cake, you must choose the type of frosting that pairs with your cake flavor and design. Whether it’s used for filling between the cake layers, creating a smooth cover on the outside, or you want to pipe flowers, the type of decoration you do and the cake flavor can determine your choice. Last week I broke down Three Types of Frostings To Cover Cakes, and now I will go more in-depth to compare the two most commonly used buttercream, American and Swiss meringue.

American buttercream consists of butter, icing sugar, and a flavor like vanilla or chocolate.

• The flavor of Buttercream: It’s the sweetest of the different types of buttercream
• Color: Ivory
• The texture: thick and creamy; can become slightly grainy or greasy if improperly mixed; can develop thin crust over time.
• Stiffness: Soft and pipable; can melt in warm settings and should be added to cool sponges.
• Uses: Pairs well with most cake, sponge flavors and cupcakes
• Recipe Difficulty: Easy; requires a few tools and ingredients to make it

Swiss meringue buttercream is made by mixing egg whites with granulated sugar, then add cubed butter and the flavor at the end. This buttercream is subtle in taste and easy to pipe, making it an excellent choice for more elegant bakes.

• The flavor of Swiss Meringue Buttercream: Mild buttery sweetness; it can be easily flavored due to its subtle flavor
• Color: White
• The texture: silky, smooth, and creamy; it’s known for its airy texture
• Stiffness: soft, may start to develop bubbles if left out but can be fixed by re-mixing; will melt in warm settings
• Uses: it also pairs well with most sponges. It can be used for wedding cakes to achieve a perfectly white coating
• Recipe Difficulty: Medium; requires a stove, mixer, and candy thermometer.

There is no right or wrong buttercream for each type of cake. You can choose whatever you like to work with or what your friends, family, or customers prefer. Mix and match frostings, filling your cake with Swiss meringue buttercream and then covering it with ganache. Or you can fill the cake with Italian meringue buttercream and use American buttercream on the outside. Experiment with different types and flavors of frosting and use your preference. You can download American and Swiss meringue buttercream recipes in English and Arabic here.