6 Buttercream Icing Cake Decorating Ideas

Tip: Pipe the flowers on squares of parchment paper first, then chill them in the refrigerator until the buttercream stiffens, making them easier to handle and place on the cake.

Get the recipe for Buttercream Flowers Cake

Tip: Give your cake a watercolour look by starting with three shades of buttercream icing. Starting at the bottom of the cake, apply the first colour to the cake with an offset spatula. Gradually add more colours as you work your way up the sides of the cake. Use the last colour to frost the top of the cake.

Get the recipe for Grapefruit Layer Cake

Tip: To create these pretty petals, slightly flare the icing tip towards you so that the rows of ruffles can overlap each other.

Get the recipe for Two-Tone Ruffle Cake

Tip: Dress up plain buttercream by making your own confetti frosting. Simply toss in sprinkles of your choice into your favorite buttercream recipe. Keep some of the buttercream sprinkle-free to pipe the borders so sprinkles don’t clog the piping tip.

Get the recipe for Strawberry Funfetti Cake

Tip: Pipe a delicate border where the green sides meet the red top of the cake to cover the seam. Mix mini chocolate chips in the red velvet cake batter to resemble watermelon seeds.

Get the recipe for Watermelon Cake

Tip: When adding the different colours to each side of the piping bag, place the bag upright in a tall drinking glass for stability and fold the top of the bag open over the edges of the glass.

Get the recipe for Ribbon Candy Cake