| Frosting Type | General Info | Storage | Usage | Flavors & Colors | Size | Other Notes |
| Store-Bought Frostings |
| White Decorator Icing - 1 lb. Can | - Skill Level: Beginner
- Consistency*: Stiff
- Sweetness Level: Sweet
- Good for Piping? Yes
| If unopened, store at room temperature; if opened, store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks | Piping borders, flowers, lettering, stars and other decorations | Available in white; vanilla-flavored | 1 lb. (16 oz.) | One can covers two 8 or 9-inch cake layers or one 13 x 9-inch cake |
| Creamy White Decorator Icing - 4 lb. Tub | - Skill Level: Beginner
- Consistency*: Medium
- Sweetness Level: Sweet
- Good for Piping? Yes
| If unopened, store at room temperature; if opened, store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks | Icing cakes and cupcakes, crumb-coating, filling cake layers and piping borders | Available in white; vanilla-flavored | 4 lbs. (64 oz.) | One tub covers two 8-inch, 2-layer cakes; three 9 x 13-inch cakes; or 64 cupcakes |
| Decorating Icing Pouch | - Skill Level: Beginner
- Consistency*: Medium
- Sweetness Level: Sweet
- Good for Piping? Yes
| If unopened, store at room temperature; if opened, store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks | Piping decorations and borders | Available in 9 colors: red, pink, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, black, white; all are vanilla-flavored | 8 oz. | Also works with any standard Wilton piping tip and coupler |
| Ready-to-Use Icing Tube | - Skill Level: Beginner
- Consistency*: Medium
- Sweetness Level: Sweet
- Good for Piping? Yes
| If unopened, store at room temperature; if opened, store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks | Piping decorations, borders and lettering | Available in 6 colors: red, orange, green, purple, black, white; all are vanilla-flavored | 4.25 oz. | Also works with any standard Wilton piping tip and coupler |
| Homemade Frostings |
| Easy Vanilla Buttercream Frosting | - Skill Level: Beginner
- Consistency*: Medium
- Sweetness Level: Sweet
- Good for Piping? Yes
| Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 6 weeks; defrost completely and rewhip before using | Icing cakes and cupcakes, crumb-coating, filling cake layers, piping borders and other decorations | Vanilla-flavored; can also be customized with any flavor extract or food coloring | One recipe makes 2 cups icing | Replace butter with equal parts solid vegetable shortening for a pure white frosting |
| Vanilla Swiss Meringue Buttercream Frosting | - Skill Level: Intermediate
- Consistency*: Thin
- Sweetness Level: Semi-Sweet
- Good for Piping? No
| Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months; bring frosting back to room temperature and rewhip before using | Icing cakes and cupcakes and filling cake layers | Vanilla-flavored; can also be customized with any flavor extract or food coloring | One recipe makes 3 1/4 cups icing | The light and fluffy texture of this frosting also makes it a great dip for fruits or other snacks |
| Italian Meringue Buttercream Frosting | - Skill Level: Intermediate
- Consistency*: Medium
- Sweetness Level: Semi-Sweet
- Good for Piping? No
| Do not store; best used the day it's made | Icing cakes and cupcakes and filling cake layers | Vanilla-flavored; can also be customized with any flavor extract or food coloring | One recipe makes 5 cups icing | For best results, use unpasturized eggs; pasturized eggs may be used, but they do not whip up as well and will yield less frosting |
| German Buttercream Frosting | - Skill Level: Advanced
- Consistency*: Medium
- Sweetness Level: Semi-Sweet
- Good for Piping? No
| Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week; frosted treats should be stored in the refrigerator before serving | Icing cakes and cupcakes and filling cake layers | Vanilla-flavored; can also be customized with any flavor extract or food coloring | One recipe makes 6 cups icing | Similar in texture to whipped cream icing; great for those who prefer a less sugary frosting |
| Creamy French Buttercream Frosting | - Skill Level: Advanced
- Consistency*: Medium
- Sweetness Level: Semi-Sweet
- Good for Piping? Yes
| Best used day it's made, but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks; rewarm frosting to 72 degrees F and rewhip before using | Icing cakes and cupcakes, filling cake layers, piping decorations and piping borders | Vanilla-flavored; can also be customized with any flavor extract; food coloring not recommended | One recipe makes 4 cups icing | This buttercream will have a yellow tint due to the addition of egg yolks and butter |
| Easy Vegan Buttercream Frosting | - Skill Level: Beginner
- Consistency*: Medium
- Sweetness Level: Sweet
- Good for Piping? Yes
| Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 6 weeks; defrost completely and rewhip before using | Icing cakes and cupcakes, crumb-coating, filling cake layers, piping borders and other decorations | Vanilla-flavored; can also be customized with any flavor extract or food coloring | One recipe makes 2 1/2 cups icing | Vegan buttery spread may be substituted for 1/2 cup of shortening; note that different brands may yield a softer frosting, so only add liquid as needed when using vegan butter substitutes |
| Ermine Frosting | - Skill Level: Beginner
- Consistency*: Medium
- Sweetness Level: Semi-Sweet
- Good for Piping? Yes
| Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks; rewhip before using | Icing cakes and cupcakes, crumb-coating, filling cake layers, piping borders and other decorations | Vanilla-flavored | One recipe makes 2 cups icing | Similar in taste to cream cheese frosting, though it does not contain cream cheese |
| *This denotes consistency of product or recipe without any alterations. Consistency can be changed by adding more confectioners' sugar (for stiffer icing) or more liquid (for thinner icing) |
