This post may contain affiliate sales links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Let’s talk about how to frost your cupcakes! I’ve got a great tutorial and video today to show you nine different ways to frost a cupcake using six different piping tips!
Today’s post has been a long time coming! I’ve got a wonderful post on how to frost a beautifully smooth cake, but until now didn’t have one for cupcakes. I’m so glad to finally fix that!
The first thing to talk about is frosting. I most often use an American Buttercream, but have also used these piping techniques with stabilized whipped cream, meringue frosting and even some with chocolate ganache.
The next thing is that I often hear people say that their frosting is too thick or thin. I’ve got great post on frosting consistency that should be able to answer your questions on how make your frosting so that it’s just right. It’s really all about the balance between the thickness and volume given by the powdered sugar and the amount of butter and milk or water, which soften the frosting.
One you’ve got your frosting ready to go, you’ll need the right tools. Cupcakes are certainly simpler than cakes, so you mainly need your piping bags, piping tips, perhaps an offset spatula and maybe some fun sprinkles. Here are my faves:
Piping Bags
9 inch Offset Spatula
Ateco tip 844
Ateco tip 808
Ateco tip 849
Ateco tip 847
Ateco tip 829
Ateco tip 869
Sprinkles
Next up is frosting the cupcakes! To see how to frost the cupcakes, check out this video below and see the photos and descriptions/directions below. Both should be helpful in seeing the different looks and methods.
WATCH HOW TO DECORATE CUPCAKES
Read transcript
First up is the Ateco tip 844. It’s similar to a Wilton 2D, but the Ateco 844 is bigger and I think it looks better as a result. The first method with this tip is the swirl – my most used cupcake decorating technique and a classic look.
1. To create this look, I start by adding a dollop in the center of the cupcake. Hold the bag perpendicular to the cupcake. Add some pressure to the piping bag and allow a little frosting to come out, then pull up and away and release the pressure. The dollop works as a guide for the next step and helps the frosting on top not collapse in the center.
2. Going around the dollop in the center, start frosting the cupcake around the edge. As you complete a full circle, move the piping bag slightly inward to create the next circle rotation. Continue piping, moving inward for three full rotations, plus a small one on top. Release the pressure and pull the bag away.
Next up is the rosette method with the same decorating tip – the Ateco 844.
1. To create this look, hold the piping back perpendicular to the cupcake. Start in the center of the cupcake/rose. Begin piping and lift the tip above and around the first drop of frosting and spiral around in a circle.
2. Do as many rotations around as it takes to get to the edge of the cupcake, then release pressure on the piping bag and pull away.
My second favorite piping tip is the Ateco 808 tip. It’s a wonderfully large round tip and I love it. The first method is the swirl.
1. To create this look, hold the bag perpendicular to the cupcake. Start at the outer edge of the cupcake and pipe a circle around the outer edge.
2. As you complete a full circle, move the piping bag slightly inward to create the next circle rotation. Continue piping, moving inward for three full rotations, plus a small one on top. Release the pressure and pull the bag away.
There’s no need to add the small dollop in the center for this technique, since the piping tip is so wide.
The next method with the same tip is the dome. To create this look, it’s very important to use constant and even pressure on the piping bag to get a smooth look.
1. Hold your piping bag and tip perpendicular to the top of the cupcake. With the frosting tip about a half inch above the cupcake, squeeze frosting onto the cupcake and allow it to spread outward. Keep the frosting tip in place and slightly buried in the frosting.
2. As the frosting spreads outward and reaches the edge, slowly lift the piping bag to let the dome get a little taller, then release the pressure and lift up.
For the next method, you’ll make a flat top look using the same Ateco 808 tip. It’s a little more of a labor of love, but it’s a nice way to switch up your frosting method. You can decorate the sides of the frosting with sprinkles, chocolate chips or something similar, like I did here.
1. To start, use the dome method to pipe some frosting onto the cupcake and spread it around a bit.
2. Use an offset spatula to flatten out the top of the frosting and spread it out towards the edge of the cupcake.
3. Use the offset spatula to straighten and smooth the sides of the frosting mound.
The next several tips are shown with the classic swirl, but they all have a little bit different look based on the tip. They use the same method as the swirls above, but closed star tips all use a small dollop in the center (like the Ateco 844 tip), while the open star tips do not (like the Ateco 808 tip). The open star tips are thick enough that the dollop isn’t necessary.
1. To create these next two looks, start by adding a dollop in the center of the cupcake. Hold the bag perpendicular to the cupcake. Add some pressure to the piping bag and allow a little frosting to come out, then pull up and away and release the pressure. The dollop works as a guide for the next step and helps the frosting on top not collapse in the center.
2. Going around the dollop in the center, start frosting the cupcake around the edge. As you complete a full circle, move the piping bag slightly inward to create the next circle rotation. Continue piping, moving inward for three full rotations, plus a small one on top. Release the pressure and pull the bag away.
To see the photos of the method refer to the two swirls with the frosting tips 844 and 808 above, or watch the video to see these tips in action.
Ateco 847 tip
Ateco 849 tip
1. To create these next two looks, hold the bag perpendicular to the cupcake. Start at the outer edge of the cupcake and pipe a circle around the outer edge.
2. As you complete a full circle, move the piping bag slightly inward to create the next circle rotation. Continue piping, moving inward for three full rotations, plus a small one on top. Release the pressure and pull the bag away.
To see the photos of the method refer to the two swirls with the frosting tips 844 and 808 above, or watch the video to see these tips in action.
Ateco 829 tip
Ateco 869 tip
So there you have it! My most used and favorite methods of frosting cupcakes. I hope you found it to be helpful. A little practice makes perfect, so go on and master your new cupcake frosting techniques!
This post contains affiliate links.
