Types of Frosting. The answer to this question lies in each type’s thickness and consistency. Frostings are the thickest and creamiest, followed by icings and glazes, which are thinner. Some types are cooked, such as meringue-based frostings and chocolate glazes. Others, such as Royal Icings and certain Buttercream frostings, are simply mixed together without any cooking on the stove. The basic frosting recipe contains butter, sugar, and a liquid such as water or milk.