Get to grips with your Russian piping tips and create beautiful cakes and cupcakes in no time at all.
Once I got the hang of using my Russian piping tips there was no going back. They allowed me to create some of my most famous cake designs back when I had only been making cakes for 6 months. However, my buttercream flowers are by no means perfect but I don’t think that really matters, after all real flowers aren’t all perfect but still look beautiful!
Here I share what I have learnt to be able to make the most of the tips.
1. Use strong piping bags
2. Use a buttercream that is 1:2 ratio of unsalted butter and icing sugar. I. E. 250g butter and 500g icing sugar
3. Have your butter at room temperature.
4. To pipe. Get your tip very close to the cake. It will be easiest to pipe onto freshly coated buttercream but not essential. Squeeze the flower out whilst slowing moving the tip away, then stop squeezing and pull away.
5. To give a two tone effect start by filling the inside sides of the piping bag with a thin layer of buttercream. Then spoon in a darker or lighter colour buttercream into the middle of the same piping bag.
7. Add simple small drop flower tip to fill in the gaps. My first choice in colour for these small flowers is usually white.
6. Add leaves. Choose a fine leaf tip for the most delicate flowers. These are perfect for filling those gaps between the flowers and add a realistic touch.
Troubleshooting
Too mushy flowers /undefined –
The buttercream is too warm. Put the bag in the fridge for 5 mins and try again. If your hands are warm you might have to repeat this often.
Too hard to pipe
Most likely the buttercream is too cold. In the winter I often end up adding a teaspoon or two of cooled boiled water. Alternatively 4 seconds in the microwave (in a suitable container!) and a good stir, may soften it enough.
Flowers won’t stick on the cake
Try a thin layer of buttercream on the cake just before you start piping to help the buttercream stick.
Piping bag leaked
Either the buttercream is too firm/cold or the piping bags just aren’t going to be strong enough. Try softening the buttercream or you may need to get some stronger bags.
Long drooping petals
Try making the flowers shorter by releasing the pressure sooner.
I hope this guide helps you have fun creating beautiful cakes. Please see my other guides for cake decorating including the original Flower Hedgehog cake and cupcakes.
To see me using the nozzles please have a look at my YouTube video https://youtu.be/tWU6h4UMtA0
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Little Peach Cakery 