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Home » Kitchen Tips & Tricks » Baking Tutorials » Kitchen Tip: Cupcake Piping Tricks
tips for frosting cupcakes
February 16, 2011

Kitchen Tip: Cupcake Piping Tricks

From the Kitchen of Katie Kick

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You’ll see in the recipe index that I’ve only featured a few cupcake recipes. Cakes in general kind of overwhelm me. Especially layer cakes and it’s only recently that I’ve gotten more into making and frosting cupcakes.

This post should probably be titled “The Kitchen Tip Most People Probably Already Know.” But even a year ago this info was new to me. I was never too happy with how my cupcakes looked in the end, but I’ve recently put just a little more effort into the frosting and it’s totally paid off.

First of all: I started using a disposable pastry bag to pipe the frosting rather than trying to spread the frosting with a knife (or worse – putting it into a ziplock bag and squeezing it on top). I think pastry bags offer so much more control.

how to pipe cupcakes

How to Fill a Pastry Bag with Frosting:

  1. Place your preferred piping tip inside the bag (with the end snipped off so that the tip fits through the hole).
  2. Place the bag inside a tall cup or glass.
  3. Fold the excess bag that doesn’t fit inside the cup over the edges of the cup.
  4. Spoon the frosting inside the bag, leaving a few inches of space so that the frosting doesn’t fill the entire bag.
  5. Remove the bag from the cup and squeeze any air bubbles out of the bag.
  6. Twist the top part of the bag and proceed with piping.

For bags I like CIA Masters Collection 12 Inch Disposable Pastry Bags or Wilton Disposable 12 Inch Decorating Bags, Pack Of 24.

tips for frosting cupcakes

It’s all in the Right Tip

Getting that big, pretty swirl on top of a cupcake was a mystery to me for many years. I tried and tried, but it never looked right.

The other important trick when it comes to cupcake decorating is really in the tip you choose. From my friend Jamie I learned that the type of tip you are using is actually what makes the difference. For a long time I had a few really small tips but nothing really suited to getting that big, pretty swirl on top of a cupcake. For big swirls, you need BIG openings.

tips for frosting cupcakes

After you’ve got the right kind of tip, really all you have to do is swirl the frosting around the top of the cupcake, starting on the outside edge and working your way in. Top things off with a few sprinkles for extra pretties and you’re all set!

If your frosting is having trouble holding it’s shape I’ve found that refrigerating for about a half hour or so prior to piping helps with that. Or if the frosting isn’t too sweet you can add extra powdered sugar to thicken it up.

My Tip Recommendations

For the Chocolate Cupcakes with Raspberry Buttercream I used a Closed Star Giant Pastry Tip from Bake it Pretty. This is probably my favorite. I also have their French Giant Pastry Tip.

I have been wanting to get a Giant Round Tip too because I think those are nice when you don’t want something that comes across as too pretty or feminine. The Wilton Open Star #32 Tip is also a fun choice. I used that for Logan’s Solar System Cupcakes for his Solar System Birthday Party


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Katie Kick

Meet Katie Kick

My lifelong interest in cooking has shown me that part of the goodness in life is enjoying delicious food with friends and family. I love trying new foods, discovering new places & things that help my family live the good life.

More About Katie
Updated: August 10, 2023

Reader Interactions

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  1. AvatarEmma says

    November 2, 2012 at 5:28 AM

    Best tip I found when starting was when piping on cupcakes keep the bag straight, I was always tempted to tilt it thinking I could see better. But it straight gives you much more control and keeps the swirl more even. Also don’t forget to get the air bubbles out from the bottom and the top! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  2. AvatarAnn says

    May 17, 2011 at 7:36 PM

    This is a great tip…the piping bags make it look so easy. And your cupcakes look AWESOME!

    Reply
  3. AvatarChristina Reed says

    March 15, 2011 at 12:17 PM

    Thank you for these useful decorating tips. I have always wanted to decorate pretty cupcakes. The way you explain things, I think I will be able to it. Thanks again.

    Reply
  4. AvatarKristy says

    March 8, 2011 at 9:53 AM

    I LOVE my giant round tip πŸ™‚ You should totally buy one!! I do fun twists as well as cute blobbs topped with cute sprinkles πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • KatieKatie says

      March 8, 2011 at 10:06 AM

      Where did you get the giant round tip? It looks like it’s only available sold in a set now on Bake it Pretty and I already have some of the others in a set.

      Reply
  5. AvatarNienke at Revel says

    February 17, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    Awesome tips – thanks!

    I somehow always end up with icing coming out of the other end of the bag and me getting my hands messy πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • AvatarKatie Walker says

      April 20, 2013 at 4:54 PM

      Hi,
      You mentioned that the frosting comes up out of the bag? Well, Wilton sells these small rubber things that goes around the top of the bag and they DO NOT allow the frosting to come up out of the bag. They are available at Michaels, which is where I bought mine and I just love them. Try them, you’ll love ’em!
      Katie

      Reply
  6. AvatarSukaina says

    February 17, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    Great tutorial! A post liek this is exactly what i needed. And I love the tip about filling your bag in a glass. Very handy!

    Reply
  7. AvatarLisa {Smart Food & Fit} says

    February 17, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    Perfect looking frosting on cupcakes! So talented with your food styling and photos!

    Reply
  8. AvatarMike @theflavorjunkie says

    February 16, 2011 at 8:20 PM

    Love, love, love your blog. Your pictures are beautiful and this post is no different. Love the piping bag tips and tricks. I still resort to the ziplock disaster.

    I feel the same way about cupcakes but maybe i’ll give them another shot.

    Thanks! Michael

    Reply
  9. AvatarKatrina (gluten free gidget) says

    February 16, 2011 at 7:39 PM

    I actually didn’t know about the cup trick! brilliant! Thank you for enlightening me!

    Reply
  10. AvatarKitchenArtistry says

    February 16, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    Beautiful cupcakes – they look too good to eat! We’d love to feature your photos on kitchenartistry.com

    Reply
  11. AvatarJaden says

    February 16, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    you are so talented in baking, my dear! that swirly, swoopy frosting thing is beautiful.

    Reply
  12. AvatarAmanda says

    February 16, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    So pretty!

    Reply
  13. AvatarHeather @Gluten-Free Cat says

    February 16, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    I’ve always used a knife! So I’m thrilled that you gave such wonderful directions. Also, thanks for the links. I’m going to be ordering some supplies so I can make pretty cupcakes like yours!

    Reply
  14. AvatarJenn says

    February 16, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    Katie, gorgeous pictures! Piping cupcakes is really fun and the result is so pretty.

    You can also use re-usable piping bags. I like Wilton featherweight ones because they’re light and you don’t need a coupler (yay).
    Yes you have to clean them but it doesn’t take long.

    Reply
  15. AvatarDelishhh says

    February 16, 2011 at 9:16 AM

    The glass tip is awesome. I always make a huge mess!!

    Reply
  16. AvatarHannah at FleurDeLicious says

    February 16, 2011 at 9:13 AM

    those look beautiful! i agree about filling the pastry bag inside a cup…solves the problem of it flopping and sliding all over the place while you’re trying to fill it! thanks πŸ™‚

    Reply
  17. AvatarLeika says

    February 16, 2011 at 7:26 AM

    This is precisely what I needed! I am doing a bunch of cupcakes for an upcoming birthday party for my husband and his cousin (one of my best friends!), so I really needed a good tip that wouldn’t be too feminine OR too masculine! Going to check out that giant round tip now!

    Reply
  18. AvatarPili says

    February 16, 2011 at 7:16 AM

    Okay, the tip about filling the pastry bag inside a glass was one I didn’t have and needed! Thank you!

    Reply
    • AvatarAmy says

      February 17, 2011 at 1:08 PM

      I agree completely. Thanks!

      Reply
  19. AvatarCandi says

    February 16, 2011 at 6:55 AM

    My friend and I are taking cake decorating classes. Your swirls looks fabulous!

    Reply
  20. Avatarmelissa @IWasBornToCook says

    February 16, 2011 at 6:43 AM

    Perfect timing for me, considering I have to make a lot of cupcakes for my nephew’s birthday party this weekend. Never piped before, so I’m hoping this will help me πŸ™‚ Thanks!

    Reply
  21. AvatarDanielle says

    February 16, 2011 at 6:42 AM

    I always remind people to make sure they squeeze the pastry bag from the top so you don’t end up with frosting oozing out of the top of the bag. Great tip!

    Reply
  22. AvatarBlog is the New Black says

    February 16, 2011 at 6:09 AM

    Frosting sounds SO easy, but it can be difficult depending on what you have to work with, and the temp of the frosting… I learned the hard way!

    Reply

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Meet Katie Kick

Hi, I’m Katie! Thank you so much for visiting my corner of the internet. I am passionate about cooking delicious and beautiful, yet accessible, food for my family and friends. I love tasting new foods, discovering new places and things that help my family live that good life.

More about Katie
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