When you order a celebration cake, one of the first choices is the finish: buttercream or fondant. The two look, taste and behave very differently, and the right choice depends on your design, your guests and even the weather on the day. This guide explains what each one is, compares them side by side and helps you decide which finish suits your cake.
What is buttercream?
Buttercream is a soft, spreadable frosting made mainly from butter and sugar. It is applied with a spatula and smoothed with a scraper, or piped into swirls, rosettes and flowers. There are several styles:
- American buttercream is butter beaten with powdered sugar and a little milk or cream. It is sweet, fluffy and quick to make.
- Swiss meringue buttercream is made by whipping warm egg whites and sugar into a meringue, then beating in butter. It is silky and less sweet.
- Italian meringue buttercream is similar, but uses a hot sugar syrup. It is very stable and smooth.
- Cream cheese frosting adds tang and is the classic partner for red velvet and carrot cake, though it is softer and needs to be kept cool.
Buttercream can be flavored in almost any way, from vanilla and chocolate to fresh strawberry, peanut butter or maple.
What is fondant?
Rolled fondant is a smooth, pliable sugar paste that is rolled out into a thin sheet and draped over a cake that has already been covered in buttercream or ganache. It is smoothed by hand to create a flawless, porcelain-like surface. Fondant is also used on its own to make cut-out shapes, letters, bows, figures and toppers, even on cakes and cupcakes that are finished in buttercream.
Buttercream vs. fondant at a glance
| Buttercream | Fondant | |
|---|---|---|
| Taste | Rich and creamy; most people love it | Sweet and chewy; some guests peel it off |
| Texture | Soft and spreadable | Firm, smooth outer layer |
| Look | Soft edges, textured or smooth, natural feel | Crisp, flawless and formal |
| Best for | Piped flowers, drips, rustic and semi-naked styles | Geometric patterns, bold colors, painted and sculpted designs |
| Warm weather | Can soften or melt in heat | Protects the cake better, but dislikes humidity |
| Time and cost | Usually quicker for simple designs | More labor for covering and detailed work |
Taste and texture
For most people, taste is the deciding factor, and buttercream usually wins. It melts in the mouth and adds flavor to every bite. Fondant is very sweet and has a firm, slightly chewy texture. It is perfectly edible, but some guests prefer to leave it on the plate. Under the fondant, however, there is still a layer of buttercream or ganache, so the cake itself tastes just as good.
Look and design possibilities
Buttercream suits soft, romantic and natural designs: smooth finishes with piped borders, textured stripes, ombré colors, piped flowers and succulents, or a chocolate ganache drip topped with swirls and treats. It can be very elegant, but it will never be quite as perfectly sharp as fondant.
Fondant is the choice for crisp, clean designs, such as geometric patterns, bold blocks of color, hand-painted details, stripes, quilting and sculpted shapes. If your inspiration photo shows a cake that looks almost too perfect to be real, it is probably fondant.
Weather and venue
Butter softens as the temperature rises, so a buttercream cake that sits in a hot room or in direct sun can bulge, slide or lose its detail. For outdoor summer events, ask your baker which buttercream they recommend, keep the cake in the shade and bring it out as close to serving time as possible. Fondant acts as a protective shell in warm conditions, although high humidity can make it sticky. Neither finish should be left in a hot car.
Cost and lead time
As a general rule, the more detailed the design, the more time it takes, whichever finish you choose. Covering a cake in fondant and making fondant decorations adds hands-on hours, which is reflected in the price. A simple, smooth buttercream finish is often the most affordable option for a custom look. At Another Slice of Cake, custom cake prices vary with size, design and decorations using fondant and/or buttercream.
The best of both
You do not always have to choose. Many cakes combine the two: a buttercream finish with fondant accents such as a name plaque, number toppers or cut-out shapes. Cupcakes work the same way. Our custom decorated cupcakes are each finished with either a hand-cut fondant topper or decorative buttercream piping, so you can match them to your theme. Chocolate ganache is another option worth knowing about: it gives a smooth, firm finish with a rich chocolate taste and makes a stable base under fondant.
A note on color
Both finishes can be colored, but they behave differently. Buttercream takes pastel and mid-tone shades beautifully, while very deep colors such as black, navy or bright red need a lot of coloring, which can affect the taste and may stain teeth and fingers. Fondant can be colored to almost any shade, including deep and vivid tones, and keeps its color evenly across the whole cake. If your theme calls for a very dark or very bright color, fondant accents on a lighter buttercream cake are often a good compromise between looks and flavor.
Which should you choose?
Choose buttercream if:
- Flavor is your top priority.
- You love piped flowers, drips, texture or a softer, natural style.
- The cake will be served indoors at a comfortable temperature.
Choose fondant if:
- Your design relies on sharp edges, bold colors or sculpted details.
- You want a very formal, polished look.
- The cake needs a little extra protection on a warm day.
Questions to ask your baker
- Which type of buttercream do you use, and how does it hold up in warm weather?
- Can the design be done in buttercream, or does it need fondant?
- What is under the fondant: buttercream or ganache?
- How should the cake be stored before serving?
Find the right finish for your cake
There is no wrong answer between buttercream and fondant, only the one that best fits your design, your guests and your event. If you are still deciding, share your inspiration photos when you order and ask for a recommendation. Explore our custom cakes and custom decorated cupcakes, see the 6-inch floral buttercream cake for an example of piped buttercream flowers, or read our guide to ordering a custom birthday cake.
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