Browse Decorating Techniques

Lambeth Scroll

Difficulty: Somewhat Easy

Lambeth adds a new dimension to your cupcake! This traditional method involves overpiping the same shape using gradually smaller tips to create a layer-upon-layer look. Here, we’ve used a pattern to make the shape easy.

Stagecoach

Difficulty: No reviews

Cow

Difficulty: Medium

Your piped animals can be as lifelike or cartoonish as you want them to be. Begin with a base and add familiar shapes such as dots, balls and strings that give your figure personality.

Curtain

Difficulty: Somewhat Difficult

Star Fill In

Difficulty: Easy

The star tip creates the most celebrated, easily accomplished decorations! The serrated edges of the star tip make ridges in the icing as you squeeze it out. Because fill in requires so much piping from the same bag, keep replenishing icing in bag.

Christmas Trees

Difficulty: Easy

Grow a forest of Christmas Trees using ice cream cones as your base. Cut the cone to any size—just dampen to where the base will be and use a scissors or a small paring knife to cut around the cone.

Bead

Difficulty: Easy

The bead shape makes great borders or frames and makes great accents to letters and designs.

Lacework

Difficulty: Somewhat Difficult

Lacework is well-suited to wedding, shower and fondant-covered cakes. Usually done in white on pastel cakes, lacework requires nearly perfect pressure control.

Fleur De Lis

Difficulty: Somewhat Easy

Formerly a symbol of the royal coat of arms of France, this impressive decoration is now generally synonymous with anything French. The swirled shells represent a lily. Watch our online video.

Swirl Drop Flowers

Difficulty: Easy

Drop flowers are a great way to add flowers quickly. Pipe drop flowers in buttercream directly on your cake, or pipe in royal in advance and place your flowers anywhere. Flowers will be sharper in definition when piped in royal.

Picot

Difficulty: Easy

While some icing “embroidery” may be complex, the simple elegance of Picot is easily done in freehand with a series of small, simply piped dots.

Lamb Standing

Difficulty: Medium

Add a figure piped lamb to cupcakes for Easter or a farm-themed party. His stand-up shape will get everyone’s attention!

Ball

Difficulty: Easy

The ball shape makes bold borders and is the first step to learn for figure piping. Vary the basic look by adding stars, dots or spirals on the ball shapes.

Carrots

Difficulty: Somewhat Easy

Use this carrot technique to top off your favorite carrot cake cupcakes!

Pansy

Difficulty: Somewhat Easy

The vibrant pansy features petals in complementary colors and a distinctive loop center. Pansies can be found in a wide variety of colors, including all yellow or all dark blue, white or purple petals with yellow centers.

Violet

Difficulty: Easy

The Violet is an ideal “filler” flower. Use it to give an abundant look to all kinds of floral cakes. It looks beautiful in white and yellow as well as violet.