Hi there, hoping someone can help me- I'd really like to ice cupcakes like this but am not sure what tip (or technique) to use- Can anyone enlighten me (the colour/sugarpaste flowers aren't so much of an issue- its how to achieve the buttercream swirl that is foxing me!

Thanks

Looks like a rose tip to me...same one you'd use for making buttercream roses.

thanks cat for super speedy reply- will give that a go- My current icing techniques only extend to swirls with a big star tip- Think this may take a bit more practice!

I'm pretty sure (not 100% ) it is done by a big star tip, possibly 1M. For the technique do it like regular swrils but instead of starting on the edge, start in the center and work your way to the edge. needless to say don't overlap the layers like the regular swrils, just do one layer of swrils. hope all of these makes sense. you can try to search the cupcake swrils in youtube, I think I've seen a video tutorial there very similar to this one.

juststarted - you're exactly right. It's a 1M tip, and you start in the center of the cupcake and swirl outwards to the edge. Very pretty technique!

I'm so glad you asked this! I just saw one of these in the Most Saved cakes and fell in love with it! I'm definitely trying it this week!

Yuppers...the 1M. You can youtube the cupcake rose and there's a few videos I think (if you're more a visual person like I am!)

1M is a possibility, but I'd go for a 2D. Check out this thread:

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopic-617907-0.html

ah great stuff- many thanks all- I knew there was probably a simple explanation- just had no idea what it was!

Ditto on the 2D. I don't really think it's a star tip.

I am thinking 2D too.

2D is definatly more "rose" like

Wow, I love the look of those cuppies!!!

the link won't open for me

If you would like to look at the yellow cc in my pictures... they were done with a 2D

LateBloomer - Your bc roses on the cuppies are pretty. The yellow gumpaste roses one of the cakes in your gallery are GORGEOUS!!! Wow!

Thanks CarolAnne. I still have lots to learn, started 3 years ago but I am totally hooked!

This is the only picture I have of the ones I have tried. I don't seem to end the swirl very well. You can see the trail of icing around the outside edge. I can't see that on yours, so I'm wondering how you end the swirl.

PuffCake, your cupcake roses are beautiful had you not mentioned the trail at edge, I'd have never noticed.

I have trouble with the end trail also. But I just try to remind myself that no one else notices it, they just think it is so cool looking. And I think the OP cupcakes shown has the trail hidden by the little flower.

I found this post and just had to try icing like this! I practiced with both a 1M and a 2D, and I found that the 2D was more rose like with bigger, more delicate petals. But, I found because the 2D was more delicate, it was more difficult for me (a beginner). So I opted with the 1M for tonight, and still really liked the results!

The end trail I just covered with a little fondant heart, worked great.

Oh yes, and here's the You Tube video I watched, which totally confirmed the technique everyone else said.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hznYysnP01g&feature=related