Buttercream is a light and fluffy whipped cream made from butter and sugar. The consistency of buttercream allows it to be piped onto cakes in different styles. It can also just be spread on cakes or in between slices as a filling. Fondant on the other hand is a paste made from sugar. Its consistency allows it to be sculpted into different shapes and designs. Though it can be used to create many intricate decorations and patterns that buttercream cannot, and is pricier, it is not as palatable as buttercream.