wait wait wait! so whats the difference of icing and frosting, a lil frustrating

That sure sound like what I would call icing or frosting too. My mom use to take and put a little bit of flavored jello crystals in her icing for cookies. She actually called her icing frosting. I actually like to use my frosting recipe that I use for cakes for my cookies as well.

Many people would say that the difference is that from what place the speaker would be from because the term 'frosting' is usually used in America while 'icing' is usually used in United Kingdom. Even with that distinction, there are still people who use those terms interchangeably. Icing or frosting recipes have had a lot of variations depending on the preference of the baker/decorator so it is sometimes get confusing whether it is frosting or icing or, we get the connotation that they are just the same thing. One example is that there are people that use ice and frost with buttercream. We also hear other people fondant icing. I always hear people use frosting for 'creamy vanilla frosting' but I haven't heard anyone saying 'creamy vanilla icing'. Although the two terms are used interchangeably, they really have differences. Icing is more sugary and it hardens faster. It has a thinner consistency than frosting. It is usually used on ring doughnuts, gingerbread, and cookies. It is often drizzled, brushed, or poured onto the confection Sometimes, it is best when the confectionery is dipped in it. On the other hand, frosting is thicker, fluffier, and creamier than icing. It has butter and fats making it richer than icing. It is softer than icing. It is usually chocolate or vanilla in flavor and is often contains powered sugar. It is used in cakes and cupcakes.

I don't really know! But when I used "icing" it was for cut out cookies and it was meant to harden so it would stay on the cookies and not smush. When I use "frosting" I think of it as the stuff that doesn't harden. I will be interested to read the answers to see if anyone can explain this one :)

To me icing is just sugary syrup and frosting is colored and sometimes flavored as well. I don't care for either one unless it is buttercream or chocolate.

for me, both icing and frosting are the same is just the different kind of word. The both words have the meaning of 'ice'.. some people use the word 'frost' the cake, and some will like better 'ice' the cake.. So, I think both of these words are the same, or maybe can be what you said, the smoothless and thickness of the product that matter..

Hello, pepai12345678910! I am just kidding, pepai123456. I am just trying to break the ice. I am not good in baking, but I had one semester course in cooking while I was in high school. That was way back 1990! We did bake a cake for the whole group. Then we also had an individual baking. Mine was a chiffon cake. Making the icing was the easiest that I can still recall. We're just mixing the egg white with sugar. We're using an electric beater to make a mixture which looks like a whip cream, and that's it. That's the icing. With regard to frosting, I am not really familiar but I have an idea. I think cake with frosting needs to be refrigerated because if not, the frosting will melt. I have bought cakes with this kind of what I think is icing. With regard to the cake we baked when I was in high school, it's icing never melts. It remains intact though the cake is not in the refrigerator. I am not so sure if this is correct. But it's the only difference I know. But others consider icing and frosting synonymous.

That is correct. Frosting is thicker and icing a thin runny topping.....

I think that they mean the same thing, only in some parts of the world they prefer one word instead of the other. Frostings or icings can be thicker or lighter depending on your needs. I use both words and if you check online you will find the same.

Okay, where I come from icing and frosting are synonyms. What you and the rest of the folks here are calling icing is what we call glaze. Glazed donuts are very popular and cookies have also been glazed but cakes are usually frosted with icing. (lol...notice the inclusion of both terms) Glaze is runny and thin and barely coats the confection, then hardens while frosting/icing stays soft and moist. I suppose it does all depend on where you grew up. I never thought there was any difference between frosting and icing. Oh, well.