Icing made from powdered sugar, egg whites, and lemon juice hardens quickly, does not drip, and has a snow-white color with a lemony flavor. Lemon juice also prevents the icing from cracking.

Basic icing is sugar mixed with milk, which is then flavored with cream cheese, cocoa powder and butter or egg whites. The simplest frosting of all, glacé icing, is just powdered sugar and water.