Ingredients & Icing

Birthday Cake Icing and Ingredients That Are Big on Flavour and Colour

What's a birthday cake without icing? It's the sweet finish, the colour burst - the part everyone fights over. Whether you're baking for kids or grown-ups, birthday cake icing is what turns a simple bake into the life of the party.

At Spotlight, we've got all the baking ingredients and tools to make your frosted cake a certified showstopper. From silky buttercream to bold food colours, we've got it all. With bargains galore and a huge range to explore, we're Australia's favourite party store for a reason.

Icing Comes in More Than One Type

Different cakes call for different icing. Here's a quick guide to help you choose:

• Buttercream: Creamy, rich and perfect for piping. Made with powdered sugar or confectioners' sugar and softened butter (American buttercream) or egg whites (Swiss meringue buttercream), it's a go-to for most cakes and cupcakes. Make your own buttercream frosting recipe with our handy buttercream mixes or choose from our ready-to-use tubs.
• Royal Icing: Dries hard and smooth. Ideal for cookies, detailed piping, or anything that needs a crisp finish. Try our royal icing recipe mix to make it easy.
• Fondant: Smooth, pliable and great for sculpting. Roll it out for a sleek look or shape it for DIY cake toppers. Choose from one of our ready-to-use fondant options in every colour and size.
• Ganache: Basically, melted chocolate and cream combined. Poured, spread, or piped, it works well for chocolate cake and elegant finishes.
• Cream Cheese Icing: Slightly tangy and creamy. Perfect on red velvet or carrot cakes.
• Glacé Icing: Made with icing sugar and water. Quick to whip up and lovely on biscuits or simple bakes.
• Whipped Cream Icing: Light and fluffy. Made with heavy whipping cream and a bit of sugar. Ideal for fresh, airy desserts.

Choosing the Right Icing For Your Cake and Event

Think about these things before picking your icing:

• Cake type: Match the icing to the cake texture. Light sponges work well with whipped cream, while rich cakes like chocolate cake pair better with buttercream or ganache.
• Cake structure: For a sturdy layer cake, choose icing that supports the weight between cake layers.
• Finish and decorations: Go with fondant or royal icing if you're adding decorations or need a clean, crisp finish.
• Time available: Consider how much prep time and total time you have. Ready-made icings are ideal if you're in a hurry, as some homemade options, especially those with unsalted butter, need extra time to mix, set or chill.
• Storage and weather: Cream-based icings may need refrigeration. Fondant and Swiss meringue buttercream hold up better at room temperature during warmer months.

Adding a Burst of Flavour and Colour

There's no written rule on icing flavours and colours. So, go ahead and make your icing as bold or as subtle as you like.

Add a touch of vanilla extract for vanilla buttercream frosting or go all in with cocoa powder for the darkest chocolate buttercream. If you're after bright pastels, make sure to start off with a white cake base. Need something more colourful? We also have bold colours ready to use.

At Spotlight, we stock a huge range of food colouring and flavouring to suit every style.

Getting That Smooth Finish on Every Cake

Want smooth, clean icing? Here's what helps:

• Use ingredients at room temperature.
• Mix using an electric mixer. A stand mixer works well for larger batches or thicker icing mixes, while hand mixers are ideal for smaller amounts or softer mixes like whipped cream.
• Attach a paddle attachment for buttercream or a beater for softer mixes
• Start on low speed, then work your way up to medium speed or high speed
• Add a pinch of salt to balance flavours
• Scrape the sides of the bowl often, especially if mixing colours and flavourings.
• Loosen thick icing with a splash of whole milk, not water
• Consider using vegetable shortening for extra stability in warmer weather or when you need a firmer texture for piping and decorating

Or, skip the mixing and go for our ready-made options. They're smooth, stable and ready to spread.

Don't Forget These Must-Have Baking Ingredients and Supplies

A good cake needs more than icing. Stock your pantry and toolkit with:

• Cremes, fillings and powders for flavour and texture
• Piping bags and piping tips for decorating with precision and flair
• Baking and cake recipe mixes for fast, easy bakes
• Cake decorating supplies like sprinkles and cake toppers
• Candles and sparklers for a big finish before the birthday song
• Cake tins and bakeware in all shapes and sizes
• Chocolate-making tools for more homemade sweet treats
• Cake boxes to store or gift your bakes

Create Something Sweet with Bargains Galore

Spotlight has everything you need to bring your baking to life, from birthday cake icing to top-notch baking tools and supplies that make your cakes pop. And that's just the start. We've also got balloons, decorations, tableware and all the party essentials you could ever need.

Don't forget to sign up for our VIP Club to score exclusive perks and sweet savings.

So grab your icing, pick your colours and let the fun begin. It's time to bake something unforgettable.