Learn how to frost cupcakes with this simple step-by-step tutorial. You’ll become a piping pro in no time with these easy cupcake frosting tips!
Piping frosting on cupcakes and cakes may seem intimidating, but it’s not at all! Once you get the hang of it, you’ll end up with amazing desserts that look like they came from a local bakery. These tips and tricks below are an easy guide for decorating cupcakes for beginners.
Best way to frost cupcakes
Last week I shared one of my favorite buttercream frosting and chocolate cupcake recipes and got quite a few e-mails and questions on what tips I used and how I frosted the cupcakes. So today I thought I would show you a quick and easy way to frost cupcakes using my favorite 1M tip.
I learned this trick at a cake decorating class I took a few years ago and never realized just how easy it was. You just need a few simple tools to get started, then you’ll be frosting pretty cupcakes in no time!
Supplies needed for piping cupcakes:
- 1M frosting tip (can be found on amazon or your local craft/baking store)
- Large coupler
- Disposable decorating bags
- Frosting and cupcakes of course ;)
Decorating cupcakes for beginners
To get started, you’ll need to choose which frosting and cupcake recipe you want to use. Below are a few delicious recipes you can practice with. :) My all-time favorite combination is my chocolate cupcake recipe with classic buttercream frosting.
Frosting
- Classic buttercream frosting
- Chocolate buttercream frosting
- Strawberry buttercream frosting
- Peanut butter frosting
- Cream cheese frosting
Cupcakes
- The best chocolate cupcakes
- Vanilla cupcakes
- Rainbow cupcakes
- Churro cupcakes
- Chocolate peanut butter cupcakes
- Carrot cake cupcakes
- Apple pie cupcakes
- Pumpkin spice cupcakes
- Lemon poppyseed cupcakes
- Lemon raspberry cupcakes
- Pink velvet cupcakes
How to frost cupcakes
Scroll down for the printable tutorial for piping cupcakes.
Instructions:
1. Cut off the tip of the bag and place the frosting tip and the base of the coupler inside. Screw on the top of the coupler on the outside of the bag.
2. Fill the bag with frosting about half way and place a rubberband on top to hold the bag in place.
3. Hold the tip above the middle of the cupcake and squeeze out the icing to form a star.
4. Raise tip slightly and form a tight circle around the star.
5. After completing the first circle, move the tip back toward the center and go around to make a second circle around the inside edge of the first circle.
6. Slowly pull the tip away at the center of the cupcake.
More cupcake frosting tips
- Make sure the cupcakes have cooled completely! You don’t want your frosting to melt when piping cupcakes.
- If you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a large freezer bag. Simply cut the corner off one of the ends and then add your tip/coupler.
- I also like to use a 2A frosting tip. It’s easy to pipe with and holds a smooth shape with no ridges (see picture below).
- Before piping, make sure your frosting is thick enough to hold a point.
- If piping with cream cheese frosting, add 1-2 extra cups of powdered sugar so that it will hold it’s shape. Also, make sure not to soften the butter or cream cheese too much.
- If adding fruit to your buttercream, use freeze dried fruit instead of fresh (it stiffens up better). Simply pulse the freeze dried fruit in a blender before adding to your frosting.
How to Frost Cupcakes
Instructions
- Cut off the tip of the bag and place the frosting tip and the base of the coupler inside. Screw on the top of the coupler on the outside of the bag.
- Fill the bag with frosting about half way and place a rubberband on top to hold the bag in place.
- Hold the tip above the middle of the cupcake and squeeze out the icing to form a star.
- Raise tip slightly and form a tight circle around the star.
- After completing the first circle, move the tip back toward the center and go around to make a second circle around the inside edge of the first circle.
- Slowly pull the tip away at the center of the cupcake.
Notes
- Make sure the cupcakes have cooled completely! You don't want your frosting to melt when piping cupcakes.
- If you don't have a piping bag, you can use a large freezer bag. Simply cut the corner off one of the ends and then add your tip/coupler.
- I also like to use a 2A frosting tip. It's easy to pipe with and holds a smooth shape with no ridges (see picture below).
- Before piping, make sure your frosting is thick enough to hold a point.
- If piping with cream cheese frosting, add 1-2 extra cups of powdered sugar so that it will hold it's shape. Also, make sure not to soften the butter or cream cheese too much.
- If adding fruit to your buttercream, use freeze dried fruit instead of fresh (it stiffens up better). Simply pulse the freeze dried fruit in a blender before adding to your frosting.
There you have it… a simple and easy way to frost the perfect cupcakes! And… now I want cupcakes for breakfast. ;)
Have you tried this method? What’s your favorite way to frost cupcakes?
Loved this tutorial! Definitely helpful! Thank you. :)
This really is such an awesome help! I can frost my cupcakes so much better now! Thank you!
Amazing creation I love it…
Thank you for sharing that. Now I want to make cupcakes so I can practice.
De repente vemos como quedan los cupcake y decimos no lo podemos hacer pero con las recetas y las instrucciones nos damos cuenta que sí podemos, Gracias porque es fabuloso, me quedo horas pegada a la computadora y no me canso de ver recetas, Gracias nuevamente.
GREAT post, Jamielyn! I am never consistent when I frost my cupcakes, so they always look different. Thanks!
Thanks Lynne! The 1M frosting tip really helps me to keep my frosting even! :)
Your awesome, thanks
I love the baking tips and recipes! THANK YOU for sharing! YOU are Appreciated
You are so welcome Sadie! Thanks for stopping by! :)
Can’t wait to try this icing technique.
It’s a lot of fun and they always turn out beautiful! Hope you enjoy it!
Hi! Is it to make the frosting without using a paddle attachment of a mixer?
Hi Dessa! You can make this with just regular beaters as well! :)
Can’t wait to try this!
Have fun with it! After a little practice, you will have perfect cupcakes every time! :)