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Icings, or frostings, are sweet coatings for cakes and other baked goods.

Icings have three main functions:

1. They improve the keeping qualities of the cake by forming a protective coating around it.

2. They contribute flavor and richness.

3. They improve appearance.

It is important to always use top-quality flavorings and ingredients for icings so that they will enhance the cake rather than detract from it. Icing should be light and delicate; it should not overwhelm the flavor of the cake. In general, use heavy frostings on heavy cakes, and use light frostings on light cakes. For example, frosting an angel food cake with a heavy fudge icing would cause the cake to collapse