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    Decorated Treats » Tips & Techniques

    Beginner Piping Techniques for Cake Decorating

    Published: Aug 15, 2020 · Modified: Mar 5, 2024 by Priya Maha

    Piping techniques has always been one of the most creative ways to decorate a cake. In fact, it is the most basic and traditional form of decorating a cake. A simple round or square cake can be turned into a very beautiful and elegant cake by just adding some piped icing or frosting patterns.

    Piped buttercream patterns in white, green and pink

    The most commonly used icings for piped designs on cakes are buttercream and royal icing. Chocolate ganache can also be used provided it is of a thick, pipeable consistency. 

    Jump to:
    • Hands On Practice
    • Online resources
    • The Best Way to Practice Piped Cake Decorations
    • ❤️More tips and techniques you will love

    If you are new to cake decorating and want to learn piped cake decorating techniques, I believe the information I have compiled on this page will be of use to you.

    If you familiar with basic piped cake decorating techniques, and would like to go one step further to try out more challenging piping techniques, be sure to check out my advanced piping techniques page for more resources.

    Hands On Practice

    If you are wondering where or how to start learning this art, the best way would be to watch someone doing it. And then you go on to practice it yourself.

    Hands-on practice is the best way to master piping cake decorating techniques fast. You can join a local cake decorating class, or join any Wilton Cake Decorating Classes in your locality. Another option, if you are not sure about local cake decorating classes is to enroll in online classes.

    Online resources

    If you are looking for an online resource to learn this art, I would strongly recommend Craftsy. Craftsy is an online cake decorating lessons provider. Its The Wilton Method: Buttercream Skills Class  and The Wilton Method: Buttercream Flowers provide an awesome platform to learn basic piping techniques.

    The Wilton Method: Buttercream Skills Class

    Wilton Method Cake Decorating is an excellent start for those who wish to learn the art of buttercream or royal icing piping cake decorating techniques.

    In this online class, you will be taught all the essentials, from achieving the perfect icing consistency and color to filling and handling different styles of decorating bags.

    With confidence in the basics, you’ll be ready to use star tips to pipe borders, zigzags, scrolls, and much more. Attach a round tip to start piping string work, latticework, cornelli lace, and writing.

    You will also learn how to use petal, basketweave, and grass tips to pipe textured decorations that make your designs pop!

    The Wilton Method: Buttercream Flowers Class

    In this class, you will learn how to make piped flowers. You’ll make and use royal icing to pipe a collection of classic flowers from simple rosebuds, sweet peas and carnations to wild roses, apple blossoms and three-dimensional daffodils.

    Instructor Beth Somers will also share three cake and cookie projects that are sure to build up your design confidence.

    Why I like Craftsy

    I personally love Craftsy because their classes are all conducted by experts in their own niche. Once you enroll in a class, you get to watch it online as many times as you like, wherever and whenever you want. Your access to the class never expires.

    The Best Way to Practice Piped Cake Decorations

    Piping tools

    A great starting point for learning piping techniques is to get to know the tools needed. You will basically need buttercream or royal icing, piping bags and nozzles or tips.

    With these basic tools, you are ready to master the art of piped cake decorating techniques!

    Wilton Deluxe Practice Board Set

    Now that you know where to get the lessons from, the next step would be to practice what you have learned. If you are going to practice on your own, it is best to have a guide as a starting point. The Wilton 406-1075 Decorate Smart Deluxe Practice Board Set is an excellent guide. It is also a great tool to practice your skills.

    The practice board consists of a hard plastic case. It opens and locks in 3 different positions - 90-degree angle and flat, to simulate decorating on top and sides of cake. It provides storage space, a large clear removable decorating surface, and practice sheets with over 80 decorating techniques for buttercream and royal icing.

    The practice sheets slip under an easy-to-clean decorating surface. The board is designed not only for practicing techniques but also for the storage of practice sheets. The entire board measures 13-inch x 10 ¾ inch; practice board surface measures 11 ¼ inch x 8 ½ inch.

    Wilton Practice Board Set

    If you are looking for a cheaper and simpler alternative, here is another practice board you can opt for - Wilton 406-9464 Practice Board Set.

    This tool comes with a 9 by 6-inch board with acetate overlay. It has 20 pages of reusable patterns in color and an easel. Simply slip the pattern sheets under the vinyl overlay and trace the patterns with icing. It is easy to clean and hardly takes any space for storage.

    I have personally used practice boards in practicing my piping skills. I got my practice board when I enrolled in a Wilton basic decorating class locally.

    And my recommendation on the practice boards above is based on my own experience. To master piping skills, you would need to practice a lot. And using these practice boards is a truly awesome way to pick up the skill fast.

    Here are some of my practice piping photos:

    Buttercream zig zag patterns in green
    Buttercream rosettes in pink
    Buttercream shells in white
    Buttercream leaves in green
    Buttercream stars in green
    Buttercream cornelli lace in white

    And that's pretty much my sharing on learning basic cake decorating techniques.

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      How to Put Edible Image on a Cake (A Complete Guide)
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      Can You Freeze Mascarpone Cheese (How To & Tips)
    • A round cake on a cake board.
      Why is My Cake Wet In the Middle (and How to Avoid It)

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    I'm Priya, and I'm so excited that you dropped by 🙂 Welcome to DECORATED TREATS, a place where I share all my cake decorating ideas & true and tried recipes for all things sweet.

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    Piped buttercream patterns in white, green and pink.
    Piped buttercream patterns in white, green and pink.
    Piped buttercream patterns in white, green and pink.