Published on 21st October, 2023

Buttercream is a type of frosting that is made by creaming butter and sugar. It is a baker's best friend when it comes to decorating cakes and cupcakes. In this article, we'll explore buttercream decoration tips and tricks to elevate your cake decorating skills.

Use Piping Bags

Invest in a set of good quality pipping bag for more precise and controlled buttercream.

Piping bags are normally inexpensive and will come in handy especially when you are decorating with with different buttercream colors. I recommend purchasing disposable pipping bags to enhance your creativity. You can throw them away after use.

Moreover, you can use piping bags to drizzle ganache on your cake for an elegant chocolate ganache design or to decorate cookies and pies.

It is important to keep the bag twisted tightly while controlling the pressure with your fingers.

Colouring your Buttercream

When adding food colouring, gel paste colours are the best. They won't change the consistency of your buttercream as much as liquid ones do.

Start with a small amount and add more if needed. Mix well to ensure even distribution of colours. The more buttercream you have, the more drops you'll need to apply to deepen or darken the colour to your liking.

Keep in mind that the colour of the buttecream will deepen a bit over time. 

Crumb Coating

A crumb coat is a thin layer of buttecream applied to the cake to seal in any loose crumbs. It provides a smooth base for your final layer of frosting.

I prefer to chill the cake for a while before adding a crumb coat, specially if you've had to trim the cake. Basically, you want to just barely cover the cake. It's fine for the cake itself to show through in places. Think of a crumb coat like a naked cake frosting.

Room Temperature Ingredients

I cannot emphasize enough on the importance of room temperature ingredients. Ensure your butter is softened and all the ingredients are at room temperature. This allows for a smooth and creamy buttecream without any lumps.

Cold butter can result in lumps and an uneven texture. Additionally, you can cut the butter into smaller pieces to speed up the softening process.

Use a Turntable

A turntable is a helpful tool for decorating cakes and cupcakes. You can easily rotate the cake to access different angles, allowing you to pipe and decorate with ultimate precision. Use the turntable to make fascinating buttercream patterns such as rosettes, swirls and ruffles. 

If you're a newbie to cake decoration, choose a plastic turntable. A plastic turntable is relatively easier to clean and use and will give you the confidence you need in cake decorating.

Keep Your Hands Clean

Lastly, always aim to use the clean as you go method that I discussed here.

Buttercream can be messy so it's essential to keep your hands clean at all times while decorating. This will prevent any smudges or smears on the cake.

Proper Storage & Display

• Do not place buttercream cakes or cupcakes in direct sunlight because buttercream melts.
• Store your decorated treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Bring the decorated treats to room temperature before serving for the best taste.
• Store cupcakes in a cupcake box and cakes in a designated cake box depending on the size of the cake.

Transporting your Cake

• Apply some buttercream on the bottom layer of the cake board using a palette knife. This prevents the cake from sliding off the base. 
• Use a sturdy cake or container to transport your finished products.
• Keep the cakes level and secure to prevent smudging or damage on the cakes.
• If you're transporting them in your car, turn the air conditioner on to keep the car cool.

Additional Tips & Tricks

• Flavour Combinations - Experiment with flavoured extracts such as vanilla or blueberrym zests or even cocoa powder to add unique flavour to your buttercream.
• Stencils and Fondant Accents - In cake decoration, anything goes. Combine buttercream with stencils or fondant decoration for an intricate design.
• Texture Add-Ins - You may add items such as crushed cookies, oreos, almonds or chocolate chips to your buttercream for an extra visual appeal.

Conclusion

By following these buttercream decoration tips and tricks, you'll be on your way to create stunning designs. Remember to practice, have fun and be creative with your designs. Happy decorating!