Cupcakes are the star of so many different dessert tables, birthday parties, and just about any celebration where desserts are a good idea. Aaaaand I think they’re always a good idea. 😉

So where to begin? Which piping tips to use? Which buttercream and cake recipe will do? I’m here to help you through finding your new favorite way to decorate a cupcake… or in our case – 24 different ways!

Where to begin?

I started with what I had. I found my 4 most favorite piping tips and split my 24 cupcakes 4 ways – so we have 6 different designs per cupcake. Some look similar by way of how they are used, but because they have a completely different piping tip used, they look like a different design entirely. So start with which tips you have, and go from there. I started with my favorite, which are as follows:

From left to right, we have the Wilton 1A, Wilton 6B, Wilton 1M, and the Wilton 127 tips. Each are different, and make such gorgeous cupcake designs!

What’s a good recipe to use for American Buttercream?

Say no more, here’s my go-to:

Get the Recipe: The BEST Vanilla Buttercream

Smooth and delicious classic American vanilla buttercream.
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Ingredients
 

  • 3 sticks (or 1 1/2 cups) Unsalted butter, left at room temp for 15 minutes
  • 1 Tablespoon Pure Vanilla
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 7-8 cups powdered sugar

Instructions
 

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, whip up the butter until it's light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  • Add in the vanilla, salt, and heavy cream and whip up to combine. Scrape the sides of the bowl down with a spatula.
  • With the mixer on low speed, add in your powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time. It should get pretty thick. Add in a touch (meaning 1-2 Tablespoons) of heavy cream, then turn the mixer on the highest speed for 2-3 minutes until the buttercream is lighter and fluffier in texture.
  • Using a wooden spoon or the mixer on the lowest speed, beat out any air bubbles as desired. For consistency, add more powdered sugar if it's too thin. If it's too thick, add in a touch more heavy cream.

How about a good vanilla cupcake recipe?

I can help with that, too. 🙂

Get the Recipe: The BEST Classic Vanilla Cupcakes

The fluffiest cupcakes ready to go in less than 20 minutes!
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Ingredients
 

  • 2/3 cup sour cream , room temperature
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk, room temperature
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 egg whites , room temperature
  • 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla
  • 1 box white cake mix, I used Duncan Hines, but Betty Crocker is the most similar.

Instructions
 

  • Preheat convection oven to 325 degrees. Prep 24 cupcake tin with cupcake liners. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the sour cream, buttermilk, vegetable oil, egg whites, and vanilla until thoroughly combined. Sift in the cake mix.
  • Split the cake batter evenly between the 24 cupcake tins, then bake for 12-15 minutes until they're baked through. They should not be golden, these ones stay pretty white.
  • Carefully remove from baking tin and let cool on a wire rack before storing or frosting.

Now that we have our vanilla batter and buttercream, we are all ready to frost some cupcakes! I’ll share photos of each cupcake and cupcake set that goes along with each piping tip.

The colors I achieved for these cupcakes were from the Americolor “Soft Pink” and “Tulip Red” coloring gels.

127 Tip

First up, is our Wilton 127 piping tip, or the “Pedal Tip.”

This piping tip has a unique shape with a thin point on one end and a more open oval on the other. I always use the more thick end against my cakes and cupcakes. This enables the buttercream to have an anchor to stick to the cake, and the more delicate end showing on the outside.

Here’s a video of the process:

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Wilton 1A Tip

Next up is one of my favorite tips to use – it’s so versatile and has such a smooth look to it. It’s a circle tip, and can be used for florals, swirls, squiggles, or whatever you please. Let’s take a look:

The Wilton 1A tip with it’s smooth look can really elevate any cupcake to something extra special.

Here’s a video of the process:

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Wilton 6B Piping Tip

This piping tip is one you’ve seen many times on my cakes, cupcakes, and in my first cookbook. It’s also known as a french tip and has more teeth or ridges in it than your usual piping tips. I love how fancy and detailed this one is! Let’s take a look:

Each cupcake has a slightly different look, but I love how the star of the show with this cupcake is for sure the fine detailing from the smaller ridges on the tip.

Here’s a quick video of the process:

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Wilton 1M Piping Tip

This one is probably the one most of you already have, which is great! Instead of the classic rosette, which I love, let’s switch things up a bit, shall we?

And here’s an up-close of some of those designs:

And here’s the last video of the process:

And that’s it!

As you can see, one piping tip can do so much more than the classics (which, I’m not knocking the classics – I use them all the time!). They’re so fun and easy to do, and can really add variety to your dessert cupcake spread.

That’s it! I hope these 24 cupcake designs have inspired you to get out those piping tips and bags, and hop into the kitchen to frost some beautiful cupcakes.

As always, if you use my tutorials or recipes, I’d love to see! Make sure to tag me @bakingwithblondie on Instagram, or #bakingwithblondie.

Happy Baking!

xo,

Mandy