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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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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: January 27, 2025

Reader Interactions

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  1. Lisa {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
  2. Mike @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
  3. Katrina (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
  4. KitchenArtistry 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
  5. Jaden says

    February 16, 2011 at 11:41 AM

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

    Reply
  6. Amanda says

    February 16, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    So pretty!

    Reply
  7. Heather @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
  8. Jenn 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
  9. Delishhh says

    February 16, 2011 at 9:16 AM

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

    Reply
  10. Hannah 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 🙂

    Reply
  11. Leika 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
  12. Pili 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
    • Amy says

      February 17, 2011 at 1:08 PM

      I agree completely. Thanks!

      Reply
  13. Candi says

    February 16, 2011 at 6:55 AM

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

    Reply
  14. melissa @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 🙂 Thanks!

    Reply
  15. Danielle 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
  16. Blog 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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Katie Kick from Good Life Eats in her kitchen

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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