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Easiest way to get smooth buttercream on cupcakes?

post #1 of 13
7/5/12 at 6:32pm
Thread Starter 
Hi guys, I've gotten accustomed to doing a simple icing swirl on all of my cupcakes, but I need to do a smooth buttercream finish so I can pipe onto cupcakes I'm making. What's the simplest way? Heat the buttercream up a little in the microwave and dip the cupcakes in? It just seems like that only gives a sparse covering of buttercream. What do you guys recommend?

And no, I'm not trying to do poured fondant this time. Thanks!!
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post #2 of 13
7/5/12 at 6:53pm
Ice them by hand (or gloved hand, if you prefer).

Get a scoop of buttercream in your cupped hand. Pick up the cupcake with the other hand and put the top of it near the "iced" hand. Twist the cupcake one turn while pressing the icing on, and it's done. Two seconds per cupcake, including the time it takes to pick one up and reload your hand!!!!!!
HOW TO:
Make tip #127D (giant rose tip) Ruffle cake,
Write with icing,
Make buttercream roses on a stick:
http://s984.photobucket.com/albums/ae322/Unlimited1cakes/
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HOW TO:
Make tip #127D (giant rose tip) Ruffle cake,
Write with icing,
Make buttercream roses on a stick:
http://s984.photobucket.com/albums/ae322/Unlimited1cakes/
Reply
post #3 of 13
7/5/12 at 7:08pm
Thread Starter 
Wow, it's THAT easy to get a smooth surface on the cupcakes?

I was even thinking of trying the upside-down method, but that seems like an awful lot of work for cupcakes! thumbsdown.gif
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post #4 of 13
7/5/12 at 7:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GarciaGM

Wow, it's THAT easy to get a smooth surface on the cupcakes?

I was even thinking of trying the upside-down method, but that seems like an awful lot of work for cupcakes! thumbsdown.gif


I use a large spatula like used to ice a full cake. Get a good glob on it, scrape it on the side of the cupcake, turn, do it again, turn, do it again...do this until you have 3 good globs that cover the top. Then, just hold your spatula perpendicular to the top of the cupcake, twist, and scrape. I hope this makes sense. It's really the same thing you would do with getting sharp buttercream edges on a full size round cake on a turntable, but your wrist/hand is the 'turntable' in this case. Check out some of my 'flattops' on my website: http://www.cupcakebordello.com/meet-the-girls/
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post #5 of 13
7/5/12 at 7:39pm
Hello, have a pot of boiling water near by. Place your utensil in it & hold a few secs. Dry and lightly smooth across frosting-should work like a charm. Joni
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post #6 of 13
7/6/12 at 3:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Unlimited

Ice them by hand (or gloved hand, if you prefer).

Get a scoop of buttercream in your cupped hand. Pick up the cupcake with the other hand and put the top of it near the "iced" hand. Twist the cupcake one turn while pressing the icing on, and it's done. Two seconds per cupcake, including the time it takes to pick one up and reload your hand!!!!!!



Wow! Do you have a photo that shows a cupcake iced with this method? I'd be really interested to see what it looks like.
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post #7 of 13
7/6/12 at 6:08am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for all the suggestions guys!! And yes, like someone else who posted, I'd love to see pictures of cupcakes you've iced! thumbs_up.gif
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post #8 of 13
7/6/12 at 6:11am
I take an ice cream scoop, the same size I have used for dishing out the cupcake batter, and fill with icing. Put it on the cupcake. Tap the cupcake on the work surface so the icing adheres properly. Wait for it to crust. Use a high density foam paint roller (that has never been used for painting!) and gently roll the icing into the shape you want. It's the Melvira method for cupcakes, but only works for a crusting icing. I do this when I am icing cupcakes which will then have fondant tops on.
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post #9 of 13
7/6/12 at 6:34am
Would a rolled buttercream work? Roll out the buttercream, cut with a circle cutter, and lay it right on. (I brush the cupcake with a little simple syrup to make sure it sticks well).
I'd rather be baking!
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I'd rather be baking!
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post #10 of 13
7/6/12 at 8:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcaulir

Wow! Do you have a photo that shows a cupcake iced with this method? I'd be really interested to see what it looks like.



No, I never thought to take a photo of a cupcake, but the next time you have one baked--try it. Your icing needs to be smooth and creamy to begin with, and, of course, it won't be perfectly smooth--it'll have a slight swirl mark from the center to the outer edge, yet not "textured" enough to prevent writing on top of it.

Many years ago, I decorated cakes for a nationwide wholesaler, and we iced around 40-60,000 cupcakes per day this way.
24 per tray
48 per case
49 cases per pallet = 2,352
2 (or 3) pallets per hour (depending on the number of icers on the line) = 4,704 - (7,056)
8 hour day = 37,632 - (56,44icon_cool.gif
+ 1 hour overtime = 42,336 - (63,504)

Yes, it's that easy. Do it!
HOW TO:
Make tip #127D (giant rose tip) Ruffle cake,
Write with icing,
Make buttercream roses on a stick:
http://s984.photobucket.com/albums/ae322/Unlimited1cakes/
Reply
HOW TO:
Make tip #127D (giant rose tip) Ruffle cake,
Write with icing,
Make buttercream roses on a stick:
http://s984.photobucket.com/albums/ae322/Unlimited1cakes/
Reply
post #11 of 13
7/6/12 at 8:55pm
I'll definitely have a go next time I'm experimenting with cupcakes - thanks!
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post #12 of 13
7/7/12 at 8:31pm
If you're using a crusting buttercream, a high density rolling could be used after letting the frosting crust slightly. It's fast and easy icon_smile.gif.
www.6bittersweets.com
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www.6bittersweets.com
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post #13 of 13
7/7/12 at 8:47pm
You could put a non-slip mat on a turn table, and stick the cupcake in the center, and use a tip 1D, and spin the table while squeezing the bag, while holding the tip to the edge of the cupcake. set it aside, then do the next one. Keep it up until you get a few dozen, then go back and pat it with a Viva.

I would rather make 1 cake for $150, than 3 for $50 each.

The person who works for nothing will always have plenty to do!

My sarcasm is good-humored. People generally really like me, in person ;-) 

Licensed, inspected, insured, home-based commercial...

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I would rather make 1 cake for $150, than 3 for $50 each.

The person who works for nothing will always have plenty to do!

My sarcasm is good-humored. People generally really like me, in person ;-) 

Licensed, inspected, insured, home-based commercial...

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