One topic that I often receive questions on, is how to frost cupcakes. I’ve been wanting to post on this topic for some time, but wanted to do a nice complete post, something that would be a nice reference for you to come back to. I hope this post will be a good resource for you. I remember when I first started decorating cupcakes I too was very interested in (and intimidated by) creating a beautiful swirl on cupcakes. After doing it only a few time I found that filling a piping bag and adding a nice swirl of frosting on cupcakes is actually much easier and quicker than spreading frosting!
A few tips to get you started…
In order for the frosting to have enough body (be thick enough) to hold up, you need a good frosting to start with. Make sure not to add to much liquid, or allow your ingredients to be too warm. I would not recommend using canned (pre-made) frosting to pipe on cupcakes, it’s usually not firm enough to hold up. I have heard of people adding powdered sugar to canned frosting to thicken it… but if you are going to do that, it’s just as easy to make it yourself.
I’ve posted recipes for American Buttercream, and Cream Cheese Frosting, the two frostings I use most of the time. Swiss Meringue Buttercream (explained beautifully by Rosie of Sweetapolita) also makes a beautiful frosting for piping.
(Left to Right) Large round tip, Open star (Wilton 1M), Closed star (Wilton 2D), French tip
To frost cupcakes, you’ll want to use a large (sometimes called jumbo) decorating tip. The four most common shapes (openings) are shown above. The Wilton 1M and 2D are often available at craft stores, the others you may have to buy on-line. I like to use a coupler to hold my tips in place, for these large tips you’ll need a large coupler as well. Large tips can also be used without a coupler, by simply setting the tip inside the bag, then filling with frosting.
Sources-
And for a grand finale… my first ever video! Simple and to the point, but I think it’s sometimes helpful to just see something done from start to finish. Enjoy!
P.S. No, my counters are not dirty, yes the grout is brown… that is the color of the grout. My kitchen (and counters) are original to my house, which was built in 1958. They’re old.
Have fun experimenting with different tips and frostings. Use concentrated gel coloring to color your frosting (like Americolor or Wilton). Add some sprinkles, and you’ve got a beautiful and delicious treat!
Several other posts you may find helpful as you learn to make beautiful cupcakes…
How to Bake Cupcakes (tips to help you bake beautiful and delicious cupcakes)
Cupcake Liners (answers to common questions, and my favorite liners)
Happy decorating!
I cant wait to frost a whole batch of cupcakes! This makes me feel so inspired! Last night I made brownie cupcakes with your Chocolate Buttercream and it was delicious (I always have cupcakes in the house… lol!) Me and my BFF love baking cupcakes and we always wanted to take up cake decorating and this gives us a great place to start! Thanks so much!
-may
omg. i love your site! may i ask you how you got the cupcakes to look like roses and what tip you used? they are gorgeous!!! thanks for such great tips! happy holidays! xo
Thanks! The rose technique is shown in the video in this post.
Hi! I tried to make roses with the 2D tip and it comes out in strands. When I try to make a star there is no centre to the star either. What am I doing wrong??
Sounds like your tip was clogged. Make sure your butter and/or cream cheese are fully smooth, and there are no little chunks of butter clogging your tip.
Hi there, your site is great, thanks for sharing. Congratulations Glory.
Dear Gloria,
Those cupcakes are looking beautiful! What a great colours! And thanx for the video, it makes it a lot easier to try it myself!
Greets,
Maaike
Hello Gloria,
Those cupcakes are looking beautiful! What a great colours!! Ant thanx for the video, it makes it al lot easier to try it myself.
Greets,
Maaike
Hi! Your photo is being used, I suppose, without your permission by this FB page user http://www.facebook.com/FoodVsSuits
He also did the same with a photo of mine and i filed an infringement case on Fb. I told this person about asking permission first but he doesn’t seem to get it.
Thanks so much for letting me know. It looks like the page has been closed now. Hopefully they learned not to use other’s work without credit. Thanks again!
Thank you for sharing! I have recently become addicted to cooking, but I’m always disappointed when my fabulous treats can’t be extravagantly decorated. However, I had a not-so-great experience with my first attempt at making home made icing (royal icing). I’ve never made frosting, per se. I really want to try! Hopefully it tastes better than the royal icing (yuck).
Hi Glory,
After years of trying to get my butter cream right, its now thanks to you i can have the perfect cupcakes. how do i get this lovely colour pink you have used in this video for my frosting? thanks x
I think your kitchen is fine. Thank you for the wonderful tip.