Browse Decorating Techniques

Bowler

Difficulty: Somewhat Easy

The bowler is right up your alley if you want an easy-to-do figure piped decoration. Build the body with basic mound and ball piping, then add the arms and a bowling ball candle.

Dog

Difficulty: Somewhat Easy

A dog is also a decorator’s best friend—it’s so easy to figure pipe on a cupcake or cake. A series of balls and oblong shapes, topped off with pull-out dot fur, is all you need to pipe this pup.

Cow Heads

Difficulty: Somewhat Easy

Figure pipe cow heads using a variety of basic techniques, including shell motion head and petal motion ears, dot features and pull-out hair.

Cornelli Lace

Difficulty: Somewhat Easy

The perfect look for formal presentations, such as wedding and anniversary cupcakes. The precise, lacy design of this freehand technique depends on the continuous curving strings that do not overlap or touch.

Clown Candy Face

Difficulty: Somewhat Easy

It´s the big top for your cupcake - a jolly jester decorated on a candy face made in our Melting Plate.

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.

Corn

Difficulty: Somewhat Easy

Try our golden ears of corn on your cakes and cupcakes—for summertime or Thanksgiving. The easy bead kernels and pull-out leaves create a freshly-picked look.

Shell

Difficulty: Somewhat Easy

The Shell is the most popular icing technique of all. It’s the basis for many borders, fleurs de lis and more. Lift the tip only slightly when piping to avoid a bumpy look.

Carrots

Difficulty: Somewhat Easy

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

Basketweave

Difficulty: Somewhat Easy

This technique turns any treat into beautiful baskets. Perfect for Easter, Mother's Day, bridal or any Spring and summertime theme.

Apple Blossoms

Difficulty: Somewhat Easy

This springtime flower is virtually the same as the wild rose, but uses a smaller tip. Pipe apple blossoms about the size of a penny and dry them on flower formers.

C-motion

Difficulty: Somewhat Easy

This is a great technique to use as waves on water or for beach scene cakes! For water, use blue colored icing — or try a two-tone look using blue and white icing in the same bag.

Bountiful Harvest Cornstalks

Difficulty: Somewhat Easy

Cornstalks are the ideal addition to an autumn or Thanksgiving cake. They can be piped directly on the cake in buttercream.

Rope

Difficulty: Somewhat Easy

A wonderful technique for finishing your piped baskets with pretty edging and handles. Excellent too for western or nautical theme cakes. You can make a great looking rope with round or star tips.

Zinnia

Difficulty: Somewhat Easy

When piping the Zinnia, the ball flower center has a lot to do with the final shape. For a perfectly shaped flower, make the ball a little flatter, more like the shape of a half orange.

Poodle

Difficulty: Somewhat Easy

The Poodle can be done directly on your cake, by tracing our pattern with a toothpick. His fluffy coat is a result of overpiped zigzag fur.