2006-10-18 17:03:49 · 11 answers · asked by Mojo Ryzin 5 in Food & Drink ➔ Other - Food & Drink
Americans tend to use the word 'frosting'. Other countries tend to use the word 'icing'. The name 'icing' probably has something to do with the fact that 'confectioners' or 'powdered' sugar is also known as 'icing' sugar. Hence, combining icing sugar with other ingredients makes an 'icing'. The fact is that 'frosting' and 'icing' are the same thing and food writers used them interchangeably.
2006-10-18 17:06:41 · answer #1 · answered by Boodie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to the food historians, the precursors of modern cakes (round ones with icing) were first baked in Europe sometime in the mid-17th century.
This is due to primarily to advances in technology (more reliable ovens, manufacture/availability of food molds) and ingredient availability (refined sugar). At that time cake hoops--round molds for shaping cakes that were placed on flat baking trays--were popular. They could be made of metal, wood or paper. Some were adjustable. Cake pans were sometimes used.
The first icing were usually a boiled composition of the finest available sugar, egg whites and [sometimes] flavorings. This icing was poured on the cake. The cake was then returned to the oven for a while.
When removed the icing cooled quickly to form a hard, glossy [ice-like] covering.
Hence, icing.
2006-10-19 00:15:53 · answer #2 · answered by Glenn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Icing. A term often interchangeably with "frosting" and preferred in America to describe the sugar-and-water mixture used to decorate and cover cakes..."Frosting" actually precedes "icing" in print, the former appearing around 1610, the latter in 1760, with icing considered a somewhat lighter, decorative glaze than frosting. But in America it became normal to used "icing" (and the verb "to ice") to describe either form of the confection."
---Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink, John F. Mariani [Lebhar-Friedman:New York] 1999 (p. 166)
2006-10-19 00:08:05 · answer #3 · answered by neenee379 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually you have answered your own question within your question.
Frost (as in ice/cold weather) and Icing are the same word basically in a bit of a different form.
When you frost something, you are actually icing it. It's actually a little play on words.
Have a lovely rest of the evening.
2006-10-19 00:12:40 · answer #4 · answered by Goblin g 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first frosting (another word with freezing connotations) was white, and reminded people of ice.
2006-10-19 00:05:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
because it takes shape of the cake like ice covering an object
2006-10-19 00:05:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I always thought it looked like ice or snow cover
2006-10-19 01:01:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
good question... but why would it be called frosting to? Neither are cold, or icy.
2006-10-19 00:05:11 · answer #8 · answered by Keith Perry 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
becase it is the icing on top the cake.....the best part of it
2006-10-19 00:05:37 · answer #9 · answered by Lisa 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Becaus of their superficial, physical properties...
With ice, they're both white..
Soft..
Fluffy..
Whatever..
2006-10-19 00:05:51 · answer #10 · answered by Neo 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋