15 Best Icings for a Wedding Cake Ideas You’ll Love
Choosing the right icing for your wedding cake can totally change how your dessert looks and tastes. There are so many types of icing, each with a different texture and flavor.
Knowing the basics helps you pick what fits your style and taste best.
The best icing for a wedding cake is one that matches your preferences and works well with the cake’s flavor and design. This guide breaks down your options so you can choose something you’ll actually love on your big day.
1) Fondant – smooth, firm, perfect for detailed decorations
Fondant gives your cake a super smooth, polished look. It’s firm enough to hold shapes, so you can do detailed decorations like flowers or patterns.
If you want a clean finish and fancy designs, fondant works well. Just a heads up—it can be a bit sweet and chewy. You can dig into more about fondant here.
2) Swiss Meringue Buttercream – silky and less sweet
Swiss meringue buttercream feels light and silky. It’s less sweet than classic buttercream, which is great if you’re not big on sugar overload.
This buttercream holds up well in warmer weather and looks gorgeous on wedding cakes. You’ll find easy recipes at places like Sally’s Baking Addiction.
3) Classic American Buttercream – sweet and easy to work with
Classic American buttercream is simple and pretty sweet. It’s just butter and powdered sugar, basically.
This frosting is fluffy and holds shape well, so you can spread or pipe it easily. Add flavors or colors to match your vibe.
If you want something beginner-friendly, this is it. Get a how-to here.
4) Italian Meringue Buttercream – light and fluffy
Italian meringue buttercream is perfect if you want a light and fluffy frosting. It’s smooth and silky on cakes.
You make it by whipping egg whites with hot sugar syrup, then adding butter. It holds up even if it’s warm out, so your cake looks fresh all day.
Find a step-by-step guide here.
5) French Buttercream – rich with egg yolks
French buttercream is creamy and rich, made with egg yolks, sugar, and soft butter. The taste is almost custardy—less sweet than other buttercreams.
It has a lovely ivory color that looks elegant. This frosting spreads easily and works best in cool settings.
For more, check out this French buttercream guide.
6) Ganache – shiny and chocolatey, great for drip designs
Ganache is just chocolate and cream, but wow, does it look good. It gives your cake a shiny, rich look.
You can cover the whole cake or go for that trendy drip effect. If you’re a chocolate lover, it’s a winner.
Want perfect ganache drips? Try this ganache drip cake guide.
7) Whipped Cream Frosting – light and airy
Whipped cream frosting is light, not too sweet, and super easy to make. You can spread or pipe it, and it keeps its shape pretty well.
It’s perfect for a soft look and works with tons of cake flavors. You just need a few ingredients for this fluffy finish.
See how to make it stable and tasty here.
8) Royal Icing – hardens perfectly for intricate designs
Royal icing dries hard, so it’s ideal for detailed cake decorations. You can pipe delicate patterns or fancy flowers that stay put.
It gives a glossy, smooth finish that looks really professional. If you want crisp designs, this is your go-to.
Learn more about royal icing here.
9) Cream Cheese Frosting – tangy and smooth
Cream cheese frosting is tangy, smooth, and just the right amount of sweet. It’s awesome on cakes like red velvet or carrot.
It spreads easily and looks lovely, but it can get soft, so keep your cake cool. For the perfect cream cheese frosting, check this guide.
10) Ermine Frosting – cooked flour base, less sugary
If you want something lighter and not so sweet, ermine frosting is for you. You cook flour and milk into a thick paste, then mix with butter and sugar.
It’s fluffy, almost like whipped cream, and pairs well with rich cakes. The smooth texture is a nice change from traditional buttercream.
Try it if you want a mild-tasting icing. More details in this ermine frosting recipe.
11) Marshmallow Frosting – glossy and soft
Marshmallow frosting is soft, light, and has a pretty, glossy finish. It spreads easily and feels like a sweet cloud.
If you want something sweet but not heavy, give this a shot. Works on cupcakes and cookies too.
Find a simple recipe here.
12) Chocolate Buttercream – rich and decadent
Chocolate buttercream is rich, smooth, and loaded with chocolate flavor. It’s not too heavy, though.
You can spread or pipe it easily, and it goes with a bunch of cake flavors. Makes any cake feel a little more special.
Want to make it? Try this Chocolate Buttercream Frosting recipe.
13) Coconut Buttercream – tropical flavor twist
Coconut buttercream brings a light tropical taste. It’s creamy, smooth, and has a gentle coconut flavor.
Made with butter, powdered sugar, and coconut milk or cream, it’s a fun twist without being too weird. Pipe it on for a pretty, beachy finish.
Need a recipe? Check out this coconut buttercream frosting option.
14) Peanut Butter Frosting – nutty and creamy
Peanut butter frosting is for anyone craving something a little different. It’s rich, nutty, and brings a fun twist to your cake.
This frosting is creamy and spreads or pipes with no trouble. It’s awesome with chocolate and adds a homemade, cozy feel.
If you like your frosting sweet with a hint of salty, this one’s got a unique taste. See more about it here.
15) Lemon Buttercream – bright and tangy
Looking for a frosting with a fresh, citrusy twist? Lemon buttercream might be just what you need for your wedding cake.
It’s smooth and creamy, with a bright, tangy lemon flavor. I love how easy it is to spread or pipe.
You can pair it with so many cake flavors. This frosting brings a light, refreshing vibe to your big day.
If you want to try it, check out this lemon buttercream recipe.
