Cake icing and frosting are sweet decorative coatings used on cakes. Icing refers to coatings like royal icing and fondant in some regions, while frosting describes creamy butter-based toppings in other areas. Popular icings include buttercream, fondant, ganache, and cream cheese frosting. Techniques for working with icings involve crumb coating, piping designs, coloring, and texturing. Current trends feature minimalist designs, metallic accents, watercolor effects, and floral inspiration. Icing enhances the visual appeal and flavor of cakes.