When you walk into a bakery and see the array of cakes and cupcakes on display, there’s one thing that ties them all together: frosting. From birthday cakes to elaborate wedding cakes, frosting is the finishing touch that adds flavor, texture, and visual appeal. So, what kind of frosting do most bakeries use? The answer depends on the type of cake, the occasion, and customer preferences, but there are certain frostings that dominate bakery shelves.
In this article, we will discuss the different types of frosting that bakeries rely on, why some types are more popular than others, and how bakeries decide which frosting to use for their cakes. We’ll also take a look at current bakery trends, frosting storage methods, and provide answers to common questions about bakery frostings. Whether you’re curious about how bakeries make their cakes look so professional or you’re a baker yourself looking for frosting inspiration, this article covers it all.
Let’s begin by looking at the frostings most commonly used in bakeries.
The Most Popular Frostings in Bakeries
Bakeries use a variety of frostings to suit different cakes and occasions. The type of frosting used often depends on the cake’s flavor, texture, and the overall design. Below are the most popular frostings you’ll find in most bakeries.
1. Buttercream Frosting
Buttercream frosting is by far the most commonly used frosting in bakeries. Its versatility, rich flavor, and smooth texture make it a favorite for everything from birthday cakes to cupcakes. The main ingredients for buttercream frosting are simple:
- Butter
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Milk or cream
Bakeries love buttercream because it’s easy to make in large quantities, and it can be flavored in countless ways. It also holds up well in various climates, which is important for bakeries that cater to different events, like weddings or outdoor parties.
There are several types of buttercream, each with its unique qualities:
- American Buttercream: This is the most basic type of buttercream and is made by creaming butter and powdered sugar together. It’s sweet, sturdy, and ideal for piping.
- Swiss Meringue Buttercream: Made by gently heating egg whites and sugar and then whipping them with butter, this buttercream is lighter and silkier than American buttercream. It’s often used for more refined cakes.
- Italian Meringue Buttercream: Similar to Swiss meringue but with the addition of a hot sugar syrup, Italian meringue buttercream is stable and smooth, making it a bakery favorite for elegant cakes.
Since buttercream can be easily flavored with chocolate, fruit purees, or extracts, it’s an adaptable frosting that works for any occasion. Most bakeries will use buttercream for the majority of their cakes because it’s cost-effective, easy to work with, and versatile. You can find a detailed breakdown of buttercream and other frostings at King Arthur Baking’s guide.
2. Whipped Cream Frosting
Whipped cream frosting is another popular choice in bakeries, though it’s not as commonly used as buttercream. This frosting is light, airy, and has a more subtle sweetness compared to buttercream. It’s made with:
- Heavy cream
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract
Whipped cream frosting is often used for cakes that are lighter in texture, like sponge cakes, or for cakes that need a more delicate finish. It’s especially popular in bakeries that offer fresh fruit cakes or cakes meant for immediate consumption.
However, whipped cream frosting has one major drawback: it’s not as stable as buttercream. This means it needs to be refrigerated, and it can lose its shape in warmer temperatures. As a result, bakeries tend to use whipped cream frosting for cakes that will be eaten soon after they’re made. It’s a great choice for customers who prefer a less sweet and lighter option compared to buttercream frosting.
3. Fondant
When it comes to creating intricate designs or cakes that need a smooth, flawless finish, bakeries turn to fondant. Fondant is a thick, sugar-based dough that can be rolled out and draped over cakes to create a perfectly polished look. It’s made from:
- Sugar
- Water
- Gelatin or glycerin
Bakeries use fondant when they want to achieve a cake that has a professional, smooth finish. This makes it particularly popular for wedding cakes, special event cakes, and custom-designed cakes. Fondant can be molded and shaped into just about anything, from flowers and figures to intricate patterns. It’s also easy to color, making it ideal for creating vibrant, decorative cakes.
While fondant is great for design, it’s not always the first choice for flavor. Some customers find the texture to be too chewy, and the flavor can be very sweet. For this reason, many bakeries use a layer of buttercream frosting underneath the fondant to make sure that the cake tastes just as good as it looks.
4. Cream Cheese Frosting
For certain types of cakes, like carrot cake or red velvet cake, cream cheese frosting is the frosting of choice. This frosting is rich, tangy, and pairs perfectly with spiced or dense cakes. It’s made from:
- Cream cheese
- Butter
- Powdered sugar
Cream cheese frosting is a bit heavier than buttercream, but it has a unique flavor that balances out the sweetness of the cake. Most bakeries use cream cheese frosting sparingly, mainly for specialty cakes like carrot cake, as its tangy flavor isn’t as universally appealing as buttercream. However, for customers who love its richness, cream cheese frosting is a must.
5. Ganache
For bakeries that specialize in chocolate cakes, ganache is a go-to frosting. Made from just two ingredients—chocolate and heavy cream—ganache is rich, decadent, and has a glossy finish that gives cakes a luxurious look. It can be used in a variety of ways:
- Poured over cakes: For a smooth, shiny finish.
- Whipped: For a lighter, mousse-like texture.
Bakeries use ganache for high-end cakes, especially for chocolate lovers who want a rich, indulgent frosting. It’s often used in combination with other frostings, like buttercream or whipped cream, to add an extra layer of flavor.
6. Royal Icing
While royal icing isn’t typically used as a primary frosting for cakes, it’s an essential tool for decorating in bakeries. Royal icing is a hard-drying frosting that’s perfect for creating intricate designs, especially on cookies. It’s made with:
- Egg whites or meringue powder
- Powdered sugar
Bakeries use royal icing for decorating cookies, gingerbread houses, and for adding small decorative touches to cakes. It dries hard, making it ideal for detailed work that needs to hold its shape. Because of its firmness, royal icing is less commonly used on large cakes but remains an essential frosting for bakery decoration.
7. Mirror Glaze
For a modern, polished look, some bakeries use mirror glaze. This shiny, reflective glaze is often used to cover mousse cakes or entremets, creating a high-shine finish that looks almost like glass. The ingredients for mirror glaze include:
- Sugar
- Gelatin
- Condensed milk
Mirror glaze is relatively new compared to other frostings, but it has become popular in upscale bakeries for show-stopping cakes. While it’s more commonly used in pastry shops, some bakeries use mirror glaze for special orders that require a sleek, elegant finish.
If you want a more detailed look at how cream cheese frosting works with certain cakes, check out this Best Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Why Buttercream Dominates Bakery Frosting
While there are many types of frosting used in bakeries, buttercream frosting remains the dominant choice. There are several reasons why buttercream frosting is the most commonly used frosting in most bakeries.
Cost-Effectiveness
One of the main reasons bakeries rely on buttercream is that it’s cost-effective. The ingredients—butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla—are relatively inexpensive, especially when purchased in bulk. This makes it a budget-friendly option for bakeries that need to produce large quantities of frosted cakes.
Customization
Another reason buttercream is so popular is that it’s highly customizable. Bakers can easily flavor buttercream frosting with extracts, chocolate, fruit purees, or liqueurs, depending on what their customers want. Additionally, it’s easy to color buttercream with food coloring, making it perfect for decorating cakes in vibrant hues.
Stability and Shelf Life
Buttercream frosting is also more stable than other frostings like whipped cream or cream cheese. It holds up well at room temperature, making it ideal for cakes that will be displayed for long periods. This is especially important for bakeries that make wedding cakes or cakes for special events, where the cake may need to sit out for hours before being served.
Compared to other frostings, buttercream also has a longer shelf life. You don’t need to refrigerate it immediately, and it can last several days without losing its flavor or texture. This makes it the ideal choice for bakeries that need to produce cakes in advance.
The Role of Fondant in High-End Bakery Cakes
Although bakeries most commonly use buttercream frosting, they rely on fondant for high-end cakes, particularly for weddings and special occasions. Fondant allows bakeries to create cakes with a smooth, professional finish that isn’t possible with other frostings.
Why Bakeries Use Fondant
Fondant is essential for cakes that require intricate designs or need to have a polished, seamless look. Since bakers can roll out and drape fondant over a cake, it provides a smooth surface they can paint, airbrush, or decorate with additional fondant shapes. Many bakeries use fondant for wedding cakes, as it allows them to create elegant, detailed designs that buttercream alone can’t achieve.
Fondant also provides structural support for cakes that are heavily decorated. By using fondant as a base layer, bakers can add additional elements like sugar flowers, lace designs, or even figurines, all while maintaining the cake’s stability.
Specialty Frostings Used by Bakeries
In addition to the more common frostings, bakeries also use several specialty frostings for specific cakes and designs. These frostings aren’t as widely used as buttercream or whipped cream, but they play an important role in the bakery world.
Ganache
As mentioned earlier, ganache is a popular choice for bakeries that specialize in chocolate cakes. Its rich, glossy finish makes it ideal for high-end cakes, and it adds a deep chocolate flavor that pairs well with many different cake flavors.
Bakeries can use ganache in a variety of ways, making it a versatile option:
- Poured Ganache: This is typically used to create a smooth, shiny coating on cakes.
- Whipped Ganache: This is lighter and fluffier, perfect for filling or frosting a cake.
Royal Icing
Royal icing is less commonly used as a primary frosting, but it’s essential for decorating. Bakeries use royal icing to create intricate designs, especially on cookies or small decorative elements for cakes.
Royal icing dries hard, making it perfect for decorating cakes that decorators can transport or handle without worrying about smudging the designs.
Mirror Glaze
Mirror glaze is a more modern frosting option that has become popular in upscale bakeries. This shiny glaze creates a high-gloss finish that bakers often use on mousse cakes or other delicate desserts. Although traditional bakeries don’t commonly use it, bakers are increasingly using mirror glaze for special occasion cakes that require a sophisticated look.
For more creative takes on frosting, you might also enjoy this Carrot Cake Recipe from TOTK, which incorporates different techniques.
Bakery Frosting Trends
As with any industry, trends in bakery frostings are constantly evolving. Here are a few current trends in the world of bakery frostings:
Vegan Frosting Options
With the rise of plant-based diets, many bakeries are offering vegan frosting options. Vegan frostings are made without dairy or eggs, often using ingredients like:
- Coconut cream
- Cashew cream
- Vegan butter substitutes
Vegan frosting has become popular among health-conscious customers and those with dietary restrictions, making it a growing trend in the bakery industry.
Flavored Frostings
Another trend is the growing demand for flavored frostings. While vanilla and chocolate remain the most popular flavors, many bakeries are experimenting with unique frosting flavors like:
- Lavender
- Matcha
- Salted caramel
These flavors allow bakeries to offer something different and cater to customers looking for a more adventurous cake experience.
Natural Coloring
More and more bakeries are moving toward using natural food coloring in their frostings. Instead of relying on artificial dyes, they’re using natural ingredients like:
- Beetroot powder
- Turmeric
- Spirulina
This shift toward natural ingredients is in response to customer demand for healthier, more natural products, and it has become a popular trend in many bakeries.
How Do Bakeries Choose Their Frosting?
So, how do bakeries decide which frosting to use for their cakes? The choice of frosting depends on several factors:
- Cost: Some frostings, like buttercream, are more cost-effective to make in large quantities. This is why buttercream is so popular in most bakeries.
- Customer Preferences: Many bakeries cater to customer requests. For example, if a customer orders a red velvet cake, they’re likely to expect cream cheese frosting.
- Type of Cake: Different cakes require different frostings. A dense chocolate cake may be better with ganache, while a light sponge cake might be better with whipped cream frosting.
- Climate: In warmer climates, some frostings hold up better than others. Fondant and buttercream are more stable in hot weather than whipped cream frosting, which can melt easily.
How to Store Frosted Cakes in Bakeries
Once a cake is frosted, bakeries must store it properly to maintain its quality. Different frostings require different storage techniques.
- Buttercream Frosting: You can usually store cakes with buttercream frosting at room temperature for a short period, but you should refrigerate them for longer storage.
- Whipped Cream Frosting: You need to refrigerate cakes with whipped cream frosting at all times to prevent the frosting from losing its shape.
- Fondant: You can store cakes covered in fondant at room temperature, but the inside layers, especially those filled with whipped cream or cream cheese frosting, may require refrigeration.
FAQs
What frosting do most bakeries use for cakes?
Most bakeries use buttercream frosting because it’s versatile, cost-effective, and easy to work with.
What’s the difference between icing and frosting?
Frosting is thicker and creamier, often made with butter or cream cheese, while icing is thinner and used for glazing or decorating cookies.
Can bakeries customize frosting flavors?
Yes, many bakeries offer customized frosting flavors, including unique options like lavender, matcha, and salted caramel.
What frosting is used for cupcakes in bakeries?
Most bakeries use buttercream frosting or whipped cream frosting for cupcakes, as both are easy to pipe and provide a smooth finish.
For a more comprehensive guide on storing cakes with delicate frostings like cream cheese, take a look at this article about refrigerating carrot cake.
Conclusion
So, what kind of frosting do most bakeries use? The answer is clear: buttercream frosting is the most popular choice, thanks to its versatility, flavor, and ease of use. However, other frostings like whipped cream, fondant, and cream cheese also have their place in the world of bakery cakes. Whether you’re looking for a simple birthday cake or an elaborate wedding cake, bakeries have a range of frostings to suit any occasion.