Wedding Cake Frosting: The Complete Guide

There’s plenty to think about when selecting your wedding cake, including the size, shape, design, and, of course, flavor. And when thinking about flavor, in particular, one of the most crucial elements to always keep in mind is the cake's frosting.

If you've already selected a wedding cake designer, they will likely advise you on what frosting works best with their design style and your personal aesthetic. However, if you're still trying to decide what bakery or cake style you want, it is useful to understand the different types of wedding cake frosting available ahead of making a final decision.

That's why we spoke with a cake designer about some of the most popular wedding cake frostings, from fondant to ganache and everything in between. Keep reading below for the full rundown.

Meet the Expert

Melissa Redell is the co-owner of The Solvang Bakery, a family bakery in Solvang, California.

01 of 06

Fondant

Primarily made out of sugar, fondant is a sweet sugar paste that is rolled out in large pieces to create a flawless finish on a cake.

Pros

“Bakers love it because it’s perfect for intricate designs and details that can not be mastered with buttercream,” says Melissa Redell, co-owner of The Solvang Bakery in Solvang, California. “Plus, the smooth texture prevents any accidental smudging and it is stable for six to ten hours on display for indoor or outdoor venues.” If you’re having a wedding in a warm-weather climate, for example, fondant would be a great option for you.

Cons

"While some clients love how sweet fondant is, some find fondant to be too thick or sweet,” Redell shares. Another downside? Fondant is often the most costly of wedding cake frosting options, so if you’re trying to find ways to save, a fondant cake might not be your best bet.

Remember that wedding cake frosting can be mixed and matched, in a similar fashion to cake designs and flavors.

Pricing

On average, about $10 per slice.

02 of 06

American Buttercream

There are many different types of buttercream, but a simple buttercream frosting is made up of butter, powdered sugar, and either milk or cream. Buttercream is great because it can be finished in a variety of ways.

Pros

American buttercream cakes are a classic, reliably good option. “It’s beautiful for elegant or rustic designs,” says Redell. “It is also great for outdoor or indoor weddings because it can stay stable for six hours on display in most temperatures and settings.” Plus, this type of frosting is typically more affordable than some of the others.

Cons

“Some clients find buttercream to be too sweet (like fondant), but we can usually do a filling of whipped cream and fresh fruit to balance this,” Redell adds.

Pricing

On average, about $6 per slice.

03 of 06

Italian or Swiss Meringue Buttercream

Italian and Swiss buttercream are two popular buttercream options for cakes and are both made with meringue.

Pros

People are drawn to both Italian and Swiss meringue buttercream because they are decidedly less sweet when compared to classic American buttercream. Plus, the fluffy texture is perfection. Another pro? This frosting is usually used to hold structural cakes together due to its sturdy nature. Swiss meringue buttercream, in particular, is the perfect choice for couples who want their wedding cake to have great flavor without being cloyingly sweet and heavy.

Cons

This type of frosting won’t hold up well for long periods of time or in really hot weather, so if you’re having an outdoor summer wedding, you might want to avoid Italian or Swiss meringue buttercream.

Pricing

On average, about $18 per slice.

The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Cakes

04 of 06

Cream Cheese Buttercream Blend

Add cream cheese to your buttercream and you have a delicious cream cheese buttercream blend.

Pros

The bonus of cream cheese buttercream? The insanely tasty flavor. If you’re a couple that loves a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, for example, this option is a no-brainer. “People love it for its delicious taste that complements red velvet, carrot, or lemon cake really nicely,” says Redell.

Cons

The downside of cream cheese buttercream blend is that it can have a yellow-ish tint, due to the nature of the cream cheese. However, when properly blended with buttercream it does create a nice, soft white hue, Redell notes.

Pricing

On average, about $6 per slice.

05 of 06

Whipped Cream

Bold layered naked cake — PHOTO BY BRANDON KIDD PHOTOGRAPHY; CAKE BY SOLVANG BAKERY; FLORALS BY STELLA BLOOM DESIGNS

Whipped cream frosting is made up of, you guessed it, whipped cream and powdered sugar.

Pros

Like both whipped cream and powdered sugar, this simple mixture is both delicious and light. It has the best of both worlds when it comes to wedding cake frosting.

Cons

The downside? It can only be used for a smooth frosting finish. “We rarely use this type on the outside of cakes, due to the limited time it can be out of a cooler and on display, but it is preferred by clients that desire a less sweet-tasting frosting,” says Redell.

Pricing

On average, about $6 per slice.

06 of 06

Ganache

Calling all chocolate lovers, this one's for you! Ganache is typically a mixture of chocolate and cream, and if you like chocolate, this will likely be your favorite frosting of all.

Pros

Ganache is a favorite among couples who are looking for a rich and decadent taste when it comes to their wedding cake. It's glossy finish also looks beautiful in photos and while sitting on display.

Cons

Ganache cakes can handle high levels of heat, but be careful to avoid any external temperature changes to avoid any issues. For example, if your cake has to be transported long distances and the temperature won’t be controlled, perhaps re-think going with a ganache cake.