There’s something about icing that takes baked goods to the next level. Whether it’s a glossy glaze, a swirl of buttercream or delicate dusting, a beautiful finish truly is the icing on the cake!

Prep your piping bags, because we’ve rounded up some of our favourite iced dessert recipes (each featuring Tate & Lyle’s Icing Sugar or Fondant Icing Sugar) so you can indulge in your love of all things icing.

A quick guide to icing types

There’s more than one way to ice a bake. From smooth glazes to fluffy swirls, here’s a quick look at the different types of icing you’ll find in these recipes.

• Buttercream: Soft, creamy and easy to swirl or pipe – perfect for cakes and cupcakes.
Read our related article to learn how to make buttercream.

• Fondant icing: Glossy and pourable, fondant icing creates a flawless finish on éclairs and more elegant bakes.

• Royal icing: Smooth and quick-setting, royal icing is ideal for decorating cookies or adding fine detail that holds its shape once set.

• Glacé icing/glazes: Simple to make and perfect for drizzling, glazes add shine and sweetness to bakes like cakes and doughnuts.

Indulge in these iced desert recipes

Birthday sugar cookies

Prep time: 1 hr 10 mins | Bake time: 10 mins | Difficulty: Easy

Sweet, buttery, and just the thing for a celebration, these sugar cookies have crisp edges, soft centres, and are topped with royal icing. Perfect for birthdays, party favours, or simply to brighten someone’s day.

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Glazed doughnuts

Prep time: <30 mins | Bake time: 0–5 mins | Difficulty: Medium

Soft, fluffy and dripping with sweet glaze, these classic doughnuts are dangerously moreish. Glazed with a simple mix of icing sugar, vanilla and cream, they’re perfect for sharing… or for keeping all to yourself!

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Chocolate éclairs

Prep time: 40 mins | Bake time: 25 mins | Difficulty: Medium

Light choux pastry, a rich cream filling and a glossy chocolate topping, these homemade éclairs are pure indulgence. Finished with smooth fondant icing, they’re guaranteed to impress (and disappear fast).

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Golden carrot cake

Prep time: 30 mins | Bake time: 1 hr | Difficulty: Easy

A timeless bake, our Golden Carrot Cake pairs soft, spiced sponge with a delicate honeyed flavour. Topped with a simple glacé icing, it’s the perfect teatime treat and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

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Victoria sponge cake

Prep time: 20 mins | Bake time: 25–35 mins | Difficulty: Easy

A true classic. Light, fluffy sponge layered with sweet jam, whipped cream and fresh strawberries. Finished with a generous dusting of icing sugar, this is a teatime bake that never goes out of style.

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Celebration whoopie pies

Prep time: 45 mins | Bake time: 20 mins | Difficulty: Medium

Soft, cakey and full of fun, these Celebration Whoopie Pies are made for party tables. Kids (and, let’s face it, adults too) will love icing them in bright colours with fondant icing, or you can opt for a swirl of buttercream for a different take.

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Banana caramel cupcakes

Prep time: 30 mins | Bake time: 25 mins | Difficulty: Easy

Moist banana cupcakes topped with a swirl of rich caramel buttercream – a winning bake for any occasion but particularly perfect for parties.

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Tips and tricks for creating the perfect icing

• For buttercream, always start with unsalted butter at room temperature. This helps your butter and sugar combine smoothly for a light and fluffy texture.

• Whatever icing you’re making, have your sugar sifted first to prevent lumps and get a smooth, professional finish. This is essential for glacé, royal and fondant icing especially.

• An electric mixer will save you time when making buttercream, giving you a beautifully aerated result that’s easy to pipe or spread.

• Before filling your piping bag, always test the flow of your buttercream or royal icing on baking paper first. Practice makes perfect!

Great icing starts with the right sugar

Tate & Lyle Icing Sugar gives you silky-smooth buttercreams, glossy glazes and light-as-air dustings – perfect for all kinds of bakes. While our Fondant Icing Sugar is ideal for sharp finishes, elegant pours and piped details that really stand out.

Be sure to pick up a pack before you get started!

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