Use the right icing for the job

by Wilton

Use the right icing for the job. Some icings work best for soft colors, others for brights. Certain icings dry hard for decorating in advance. Consider flavor, texture, climate and other factors when choosing.

 

 

 

Icing Type	Flavor/ Description	Consistency	Best Used For…	Coloring	Storage/ Freshness	Special Information
Buttercream (Wilton Mix or homemade)	Sweet, buttery flavor. Tastes the best and looks beautiful for most decorating	Thin-to-stiff consistency depending on the amount of corn syrup or sugar added (sugar stiffens).	Icing cakes smooth, borders, writing. Most decorations including roses, drop flowers, sweet peas and figure piping.	Yields all colors. Most colors deepen upon setting. Let icing set 2-3 hours for deep color. Some colors may fade sitting in bright light.	Icing can be refrigerated in airtight container for 2 weeks.	Iced cake can be stored at room temperature for 2-3 days. Flowers remain soft enough to be cut with a knife.
Snow-White Buttercream (homemade)	Sweet, almond flavor. Ideal for wedding cakes.	Thin-to-stiff consistency depending on the amount of corn syrup or sugar added (sugar stiffens).	Icing cakes smooth, borders, writing, flowers. Most decorations.	Yields truer colors due to pure white base color. Creates deep colors. Most deepen upon setting.	Icing can be refrigerated in airtight container for 2 weeks. Iced cake can be stored at room temperature for 2-3 days.	Air-dried flowers have translucent look. Flowers remain soft enough to cut with a knife.
Wilton Ready-to-Use Decorator White (4 1/2 lb. size)	Sweet, vanilla flavor. Convenient, ready-to-use spread icing. Pure white color is ideal for coloring.	Thin-to-medium. No need to thin for spreading.	Spreading on cakes right from the can. Piping stars, shells, messages and more.	Yields truer colors due to pure white base color.Creates deep colors. Most deepen upon setting.	Leftover icing can be refrigerated for 2 weeks. Iced cake can be stored at room temperature for 2-3 days.	Available for purchase through Wilton Yearbook, at www.wilton.com or any authorized Wilton retailer
Wilton Ready-to-Use Decorator White(1 lb. size)	Sweet, vanilla flavor. Convenient, ready-to-use spread icing. Pure white color is ideal for coloring.	Stiff. Make roses right from the can.	Shell, stars, flowers-use from container. Roses-may stiffen with confectioner's sugar. Icing cakes, writing, leaves-thin with milk, water or corn syrup.	Yields truer colors due to pure white base color. Creates deep colors. Most deepen upon setting.	Leftover icing can be refrigerated for 2 weeks. Iced cake can be stored at room temperature for 2-3 days.	Available for purchase through Wilton Yearbook, at www.wilton.com or any authorized Wilton retailer.
Wilton Decorator Chocolate (Ready-to-Use 1 lb. can)	Sweet chocolate flavor. Convenient ready-to-use spread icing.	Stiff. Make roses right from the can.	Shell, stars, flowers-use from container. Icing cakes, writing, leaves-thin with milk, water or corn syrup.	Recommended when black icing is needed. Add a little black icing color to chocolate for a better tasting black icing. Use when brown icing is directed.	Leftover icing can be refrigerated for 2 weeks. Iced cake can be stored at room temperature for 2-3 days.	Available for purchase through Wilton Yearbook, at www.wilton.com or any authorized Wilton retailer.
Fluffy Boiled Icing (homemade)	Marshmallow-like flavor, 100% fat free.	Very fluffy consistency, sets quickly.	Icing cakes smooth and fluffy. Borders, Iced cake can be stored at room temperature.figure piping, writing, stringwork.	Yields pastels and deep colors.	Use immediately.	Serve within 24 hours.
Stabilized Whipped Cream (homemade)	Creamy, delicate sweetness.	Light, thin-to-medium consistency.	All cakes but especially those decorated with fruits. Borders, large tip work, writing.	Yields pastels only.	Use immediately. Iced cake must be refrigerated.	Texture remains soft on decorated cake.