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Cupcake piping techniques

Article by: Allrecipes  |  Video by: Allrecipes
Pipe buttercream onto your cupcakes like a professional with these tips and techniques! We'll show you how to make flowers of all kinds, classic swirls and more.
What you'll need
• Buttercream
• Cupcakes
• Piping bags and tips
• Food colouring (optional)
• Decorations (coloured sugar, dragees, etc. - optional)
Prepare buttercream
Cupcake piping techniques step picture 2
Add food colouring to your buttercream, if using, or keep it a natural white. Fill your piping bag(s) with the buttercream, using a different bag for each colour. To properly fill a piping bag: trim the tip of the bag and push your desired piping tip through the hole at the bottom of the bag. Fill the bag 1/2 to 2/3 full with buttercream, then squeeze downwards towards the tip to expel any air from the bag.
Decorate with a flat star tip
Cupcake piping techniques step picture 4
• Make a rose
Place tip perpendicular to the cupcake at the centre and start swirling outwards. Continue piping towards the edge, taking care not to overlap the swirls of icing. Once at the outer edge, stop piping and pull away gently.
Cupcake piping techniques step picture 5
• Make a classic swirl
Start piping around the edge of the cupcake, circling towards the centre and overlapping the icing slightly. Once at the centre, stop piping and pull away gently.
Decorate with a large round tip
Cupcake piping techniques step picture 7
• Make a classic swirl
Start piping around the edge of the cupcake, circling towards the centre and overlapping the icing slightly. Once at the centre, stop piping and pull away gently.
Cupcake piping techniques step picture 8
• Make mini dollops
Start around the edge of the cupcake, holding the bag perpendicular to the cupcake. Press gently, creating a mound of icing, then gently pull away. Continue in this fashion, working around the edge of the cupcake, then moving to the centre.
Cupcake piping techniques step picture 9
• Make a simple flower
Position the piping tip flat on top of the cupcake at the edge. Press and pipe towards the centre, slowly pulling away. Repeat till cupcake is covered, finishing with a centre dollop and/or sprinkles or dragees.
Decorate with a grass / hair tip
Cupcake piping techniques step picture 11
• Make grass or hair
Starting at the edge with the piping bag perpendicular to the cupcake, press and release pulling upwards to create a grass or hair effect. Repeat until cupcake is fully covered.
Decorate with a leaf tip
Cupcake piping techniques step picture 13
• Make a sunflower
Spread a thin layer of buttercream over the cupcake. Start piping a short row of leaves around the edge. Continue piping towards the centre in concentric circles, finishing the centre with dark coloured sugar, sprinkles or even chocolate biscuit crumbs.
For more techniques...
Watch our video to get even more cupcake decorating ideas and piping techniques!
Article provided by:
Allrecipes

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