Cupcake Icing Tools

There are many different ways to decorate cupcakes; which way you choose will depend largely on what you are trying to accomplish. If you want very composed cupcakes that are identical, go with fondant icing or a poured icing with sugar decorations. When every cupcake is an individual, use a buttercream frosting or a similar recipe and spread it on. Basic tools will help you make memorable cupcakes. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Speading Tools

For decorating cupcakes with buttercream or other icings, nothing beats a small angled spatula and a turntable. The turntable rotates the cupcake, making it easy to smooth the icing or pipe designs in a circle. Some turntable models even tilt to make working on the top of the cupcakes easier. Using an angled spatula helps you avoid getting frosting all over yourself by lifting your hand above the iced surface.

Piping Tools

A pastry piping bag, a coupler set to hold the tips in place and a few tips make piped designs much easier and allow you to write messages on your cupcakes. The smooth frosting tip helps you get icing evenly onto the cupcake, creating a fluffy swirl. The swirled tip creates ridges and gives a little flair to the piped frosting. Other popular tips for icing cupcakes include the star tip, the writing tip and the French tip.

Rolling Tools for Fondant

Fondant is another popular icing for cupcakes. Fondant allows you to obtain a smooth finish or add cutouts and molded decorations. To use fondant, you will need a silicone mat and a rolling pin. Small cookie cutters or candy molds are optional.

Sugar Tools

Sugar decorations can be bought to use as cupcake decorations, or you can make your own. You will need a silicone mat or parchment paper and cookie cutters or molds in desirable shapes. You can use the same cutters and molds that you use for fondant. Sugar designs are usually used to embellish buttercream or fondant icings.