Decorating cupcakes is one of my greatest joys. Follow my simple tips and tricks to make beautiful cupcakes for any occasion! Be sure to use my perfect Cupcake Frosting for the beautiful cupcakes that taste amazing!
Cupcake Frosting
The recipe I have shared below is for a “cheater” Swiss Meringue buttercream. It uses pasteurized eggs and does not require heating so can be much more time-efficient! This recipe is less sweet than a traditional American buttercream and so lovely to work with. It takes color quite easily and I have found that using any type (liquid, gels, powder) works just wonderfully. This is my Easy Coconut Frosting which is the same is the recipe below except for the addition of coconut flavoring. Feel free to play around with your extracts as well! (These would be lovely with a lavender extract!)
Petal Decoration
Using a piping bag fitted with the #104 tip and purple icing, begin by piping one petal on to the outer edge of the cupcake. Start near the center, apply pressure to the bag and gently rock your wrist up and then down to create each individual petal. Continue piping overlapping rows of petals.
This could also be referred to as a Carnation, but might look better with a soft pale or white buttercream.
Petal Spiral Decoration
Using a piping bag fitted with the #104 tip, pipe spiraling ruffles around the cupcake starting at the outer edge. This is easiest if you are able to turn the cupcake in one hand while applying pressure to the piping bag with the other. You can also use a rotating cake stand for this method, just be sure to place the cupcake in the very center.
Classic Rose Decoration
Using a piping bag fitted with the #104 tip, begin by placing a dollop in the center of the cupcake. Hold your bag so that the smallest part of the tip (the top of the teardrop) is facing up. Place tip at the base of the dollop, apply pressure and move the bag around the side of the dollop, about 1/3 of the way. Release pressure. I usually start with 3 petals around the center dollop for a nice tight center bud.
Continue this same technique around and around, eventually making your swoops bigger and facing out and away from the center of the cupcake.
Finish with some leaves and you have a perfect rose. Here is a video showing how I am a Giant Buttercream Rose.
Skinny Petal Decoration
Using a piping bag fitted with the #104 tip, hold your tip with the large opening of the tip (upside down teardrop) is at a 90° angle. Apple gentle pressure and the drag tip down through the frosting. You will start at the outer edge of the cupcake and move around the entire cupcake. Then move in slightly from the edge and pipe another row.
Add leaves for a decorative touch.
This technique also works well when decorating lilac cupcakes!
If I had to pick a favorite I might say this one, the purple rose with light blue accents. These piped roses often vary in look because they are so open to artistic impression. Each decorator will have their own special flair that comes across so beautifully in this design!
Easy Swiss Meringue Buttercream
Ingredients
- 4 oz pasteurized egg whites
- 2 cups (220g) confectioners sugar
- 2 tbsp. McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1 lb (4 sticks or 452g) softened unsalted butter
Instructions
- Add pasteurized egg whites and confectioners sugar to stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment.
- Turn mixer on low, let ingredients come together. Then turn on high speed for 3-5 minutes, or until egg whites and sugar are fully incorporated.
- With mixer off, add in the extract and mix on low speed until just combined.
- Now start adding in butter, about 1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) at a time. After each addition, let the mixer run of medium-high speed until the butter is mostly incorporated. It can take about 3-4 minutes just to add in the butter.
- Once all the butter is added, turn the mixer on high speed and let it whip for at least 5 minutes. (I have let it go for as long as 10)
Notes
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Love your decorations… I was looking for an icing that isn’t so sweet, so when I saw your meringue decorating icing I was very interested, but I wandered if you couldn’t possibly substitute meringue POWDER for the egg whites?I believe Wiltons carrys this item if they haven’t discontinued it. THANK YOU
Yes, you could, but that is more of a royal icing. 🙂
Very informative beautiful displays
This is the simplest way I have heard this explained! thank you, I may actually be able to accomplish this!
Hi, love your beautiful work. I live in England and am not sure about the pasteurized egg whites? Is this a dry mix that you can purchase? I haven’t heard of it? I initially thought you mean normal egg whites (wet!) And was wondering if they needed to be whisked to peak stage egg, then again, wondered if it’s a dry mix. Many thanks..ps, thanks for putting weights rather than cups. So many US recipes are wasted on me as we do not really use cups..and those you can buy are not the same weights as US cups. Very confusing 😁
Pasteurized egg whites in the US are in the refrigerated grocery section in a carton and called Egg Beaters
Hi Amanda,
Just watched got the first time on Facebook your cupcake decorating tips and OH MY GOODNESS, you do such beautiful designs and how easy you make it look! Always wanted to be able to decorate cakes, cupcakes and desserts, but do not know where to start. I love to bake so any suggestions? Anyway I am now a follower on Facebook and know I can learn a great deal just from watching you.😊
Always wanted to learn how to decorate like this u make it look so easy! 😊
You make it looks so easy! I really enjoyed watching you decorate and am anxious to try it myself. Thanks so much for the tips!
I love this cupcake icing decorating ideas.
Can you make this icing a day before you use it? Will it store ok overnight? I was wanting to make a bunch for a girls’ cupcake decorating party but need to do it the night before
I love reading and watching your videos..it seems so easy to do particularly the decorating..when i tried it,it was so difficult.i have a complete set of decor icing tips but using it with a piping celophane is just not possible.
Should this be stored in the refrigerator?
Yes, I would.