Fluffy basic buttercream (or frosting) really is the icing on any cake. Simple to whip up, satisfying to gobble up. Master a buttercream recipe and experiment with flavours, or add cocoa for the best chocolate buttercream.

4 round dishes of coloured icing sugar being made up in various blue, pink and yellow colours next to a pink pack of Silver Spoon icing sugar.

Try one of our many icing & buttercream recipes and make something delicious today Learn how to make the perfect icing or buttercream filling for your cake.

Icing & Buttercream Recipes | Simple & Easy Sweet Toppings

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A freshly made Victoria Sponge cake sat on a cake plinth, topped with strawberries and buttercream next to a yellow pack of Silver Spoon caster sugar.

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Freshly made Air Fryer Pop Tarts on a marble surface decorated with icing and multi coloured sprinkles next to a pink pack of Silver Spoon icing sugar.

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This easy glace icing recipe creates smooth, glossy glace icing that's rich and spreadable, making it the very best topping for <a href="https://www.silverspoon.co.uk/recipes/basic-biscuit-dough">biscuits</a>, <a href="https://www.bakingmad.com/recipes/categories/cookies-and-biscuits/cookies">cookies</a>, <a data-item-id="871653dc-08b9-5901-bc1e-575c64eccc2b" href="">sponge cakes</a> and finger buns.
This quick and easy icing for <a data-item-id="3bb99ae0-0582-534c-901d-78a4b8473bf4" href="">biscuits and cookies</a> also sets with a subtle, smooth sheen, making it an ideal edible ‘glue’ for decorating your baking creations.
We love using Silver Spoon Icing Sugar for a glossy, lump-free glace icing recipe that works every time. Using just water and icing sugar, this simple cupcake icing recipe is perfect for drizzling on cupcakes or dolloping on sprinkle sponge cake.
<h3>Why Use Our Recipe for Glace Icing?</h3>
⭐Ready in minutes
⭐Can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge
⭐Only uses two ingredients

Glace Icing Recipe

This simple icing gives a lovely crunchy topping when poured over a warm cake straight out of the oven, whether it's on top of your lovely <a href="https://www.bakingmad.com/recipes/zesty-lemon-drizzle-cake">Lemon Drizzle Cake</a>, or topping warm pancakes - this drizzle is so easy to whisk up and brings all the zing to your lemony bakes.

Lemon Drizzle Icing

For all those that love coffee this coffee buttercream is the perfect topping for a coffee and walnut cake.

Coffee Buttercream

Marshmallow Fluff is made from beaten egg whites, sugar, golden syrup, vanilla extract and a tiny pinch of salt. We love marshmallow fluff because it goes really well with cookies and pretzels or as a topping for desserts. If you really want to push the boat out (we do...) &nbsp;you could even have it on top of a luxury hot chocolate for that perfect 'ahhhhh' moment. This stuff is sticky, so make sure you have a cloth and some hot soapy water on standby for clear up time.

Marshmallow Fluff

Just because you are avoiding dairy doesn't mean you have to miss out on delicious chocolate buttercream. A perfect&nbsp;topping for dairy free chocolate cupcakes.&nbsp;

Dairy Free Vegan Chocolate Buttercream

Level up your standard buttercream by giving it a citrus twist. We show you how to work in juice from oranges, lemons or limes. A Citrus Buttercream makes a really good topping for loaf cakes, cupcakes and even as a filling for a sponge cake. If you want some handy tips on creating proper buttercream have a look at our classic video below.

Citrus Buttercream

We have the best simple buttercream recipe that will give your cakes and cupcakes a delicious twist with the subtle inclusion of maple syrup. Perfect for autumnal Halloween or Bonfire Night party treats.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Maple Buttercream

Buttercream icing - also known as buttercream frosting - is the ideal way to turn a simple cake into something a little bit special, and this recipe takes just 5 minutes to make!
Deliciously smooth and creamy, this vanilla buttercream icing is perfect for <a href="https://www.bakingmad.com/recipes/simple-fairy-cakes">fairy cakes</a>, <a href="https://www.bakingmad.com/recipes/categories/cupcakes-and-muffins/cupcakes">cupcakes</a> and <a href="https://www.bakingmad.com/recipes/quick-and-easy-victoria-sponge">Victoria sponges</a>. This recipe will create enough buttercream to cover an 8-inch circular cake.
Once you've mastered how to make buttercream, why not try <a href="https://www.bakingmad.com/recipes/salted-chocolate-buttercream">salted chocolate buttercream</a> or <a href="https://www.bakingmad.com/recipes/coffee-buttercream">coffee buttercream</a>?
<h3>What’s the difference between buttercream icing and buttercream frosting?</h3>
The best way to distinguish frosting from buttercream is through the ingredients each recipe uses.
While both contain powdered sugar, a fat-rich binding ingredient, flavouring and sometimes milk or water, frosting does not contain any butter. Instead, frosting recipes normally use shortening or cream cheese.
<h3>Does buttercream icing need to be kept in the fridge?</h3>
Buttercream icing doesn’t have to be refrigerated, as the icing’s high fat content keeps it fresh, and your icing will last for up to a week with no refrigeration.
However, to prevent the icing from drying out, keeping your iced cake in a cool, airtight container is best.

Buttercream Icing Recipe

Chocolate frosting, chocolate buttercream or chocolate icing - whatever you call it, this quick chocolate buttercream recipe is the best way to make rich, velvety chocolate icing for chocolate flavoured cupcakes, <a href="https://www.bakingmad.com/recipes/categories/cakes/celebration-cakes">celebration cakes</a> or any bake you want to add an extra layer of indulgence to.
This chocolate buttercream is a perfect home-made alternative to supermarket chocolate fudge icing, and thanks to Silver Spoon Icing Sugar, it’s fluffy, sweet and silky - smother onto your traybakes or cupcakes in less than five minutes.
The cocoa powder and rich dark chocolate are key to getting the fudgy, rich flavour we all love from a good chocolate cake recipe.
We love this chocolate buttercream on top of a chocolate cake for the ultimate chocolate hit, or liberally dolloped on top of our <a href="https://www.bakingmad.com/recipes/mary-berry-chocolate-cupcakes">Mary Berry Chocolate Cupcakes</a>.

Chocolate Buttercream

Brighten up your cakes and bakes with this delicious and refreshing passion fruit icing. Not only does this icing give a naturally vibrant yellow colouring but also a tangy tropical taste.

Passion Fruit Icing

Celebration and Christmas cakes look truly wonderful finished and decorated with traditional royal icing and it is so simple to make too. 
 
Your leftover icing won't get wasted either as it can be used to make decorations to go on your cake. This recipe will create enough icing to cover an 8" cake.