Icing and Glazes

Icings, glazes and frostings don't just taste delicious, they also have the added effect of protecting the food underneath from drying out. Glazes are glossy thin coatings usually made up of icing sugar, a small amount of water and corn syrup, and sometimes fat (butter or cream). The corn syrup and fat prevent the sugar from producing coarse crystals. In addition, the corn syrup attracts moisture, filling the gaps between sugar particles with a shiny glass-like surface. A simple icing or frosting is made by whipping air into a solid fat such as butter, cream cheese or vegetable shortening, making a creamy, light mass. Using icing sugar will ensure the icing isn't grainy.

If you'd like to learn more about different kinds of icings, check out our guide to Cake Decorating.

Bibliography

• McGee on Food, Harold McGee, Hodder 2004
• Patisserie; A Cooks Book, Loretta Sartori
• Understanding Baking, Joseph Amendola, Nicole Rees 2003, Wiley