Okay, okay, okay. Â Over several months I have gotten many, many requests about how to frost a cupcake. Â Â And I've promised and promised that I'd show you how I do it.
But the truth is, I've been terrified to do this.
I am not a videographer.  I don't have professional equipment.  I feel very, very self-conscious about everything related to sharing a video.
When I posted the How to do a Messy Ruffles cake video, I got some very ugly comments on YouTube (I deleted most of them, I think)... but lots of people were not shy to criticize that my videos are dark, shaky, not HD, etc. Â I was told I shouldn't have frosting on my fingers and I really should learn to use a camera.
People can be so mean, ya'll.
But this week I got three more requests within two days asking if I'd share how I do my cupcakes. Â So on a whim, I recorded this video yesterday (with help from my son Joshua).
We set up in the brightest place in my house and it's still dark. Â I framed it all so that you'd get a good view... Â and it's off center and I didn't get the cupcakes low enough OR close enough to the camera.
Ironically, I named this post "How to Frost a Cupcake Like a Pro" with a very non-professional video demonstration. Â Oh well. Â It is what it is. Â Maybe one day I'll own a fancier camera or a high-tech lighting.
I could go on and on... there are so many things wrong.
But having said all that, I'm sharing anyway. Â Maybe it'll help someone see how easy it is to make cupcakes look pretty. It only takes a few seconds and once you get the hang of it, your cupcakes will be beautiful and look professional!
Here's what you'll need:
- Cupcakes (obviously)
- Frosting - you can't use the canned stuff. Â I use my crusting cream cheese recipe in this post, but I most often use vanilla buttercream.
- Piping bag. Â I recommend 12" or larger. Â I use both featherweight and disposable ... either works just fine!
- Wilton 1M tip (there are other large open star tips that lend similar results... just try and see what you can do on your own!)
And for better or worse, here's the video:
Nadine Johnston
Thanks for doing this video. I now know how I could mess up something so easy!!! I was trying to start on the outside of the cupcake. Don't let the negative comments get you down. I appreciate you being brave enough to share your knowledge with others. I enjoy your FB post and website.
Rose
Thank you for your kindness! I am so thankful for each and every person who reads here and I love helping!
Kaelyn
I always started on the outside too! I am SO glad she posted this, because I'm making cupcakes for thanksgiving!
Thank you thank you thank you Rose!
Zaib
Thank you for the lovely tutorial . It amazes me how people can be negative and critical of your tutorials and videos .It takes a lot of time and effort to do all that you do . I have been following your work for a while now and I love your cakes ! Thanks once again and keep up the lovely work 🙂
Rose
You're very welcome and thank you for your sweet comments!
cheryl
You are much younger than I am ......but please let me give you a bit of advice? We have too many critics and not enough doers in our world! You are doing a super job.............Please ignore the sour pusses. They can create their own webpage and let us critique them! Glad I found your site and I am going to send your address to my granddaughter!!!
Dinah
Thank you for helping! The negative comments are just rude. Here you are trying to help people out of the goodness of your heart and they just want to criticize!
Rose
Yes... rude is a perfect description! I'm always so happy to help others learn 🙂
Sarah
Thank you for this awesome video! I love your recipes and have often wondered how to get my decorated cupcakes to look as great as yours. By the way, my family has deemed your chocolate chip cookie recipe the best they have ever tasted. I appreciate your recipes, tips, and ideas soo much!!
Rose
You're welcome and thank YOU! Oh, and I'm so glad to hear you like the chocolate chip cookies... I may have to bake some tonight now that you mention it 😉
jan butterfield
Rose, you are so special to me. You have been my favorite mentor since I started baking professionally two years ago.
Your video was wonderful and I HOPE YOU WILL DO MORE!
The only thing that surprised me was your voice. It's funny, after seeing you on line for two years, I guess I had invented a voice for you as well, and it did not sound like what I had imagined! Thought you'd get a kick out of that 🙂
Love you!
Jan
Rose
Awww, Jan - you're precious! Thank you so much for lifting my spirits!! And I know what you mean about my voice... I've had that happen with other bloggers after I see their videos or hear them 😉
Angie
Thanks for the video.
Denise
Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge. Your video was perfect and now I can see where I was going wrong. I too started on the outside. Now I can't wait to bake a batch and give your method a try. And please do not ever let negative people get to you. The people who criticize are the ones who do not know how to do anything, but sit back and tell others what they don't like. I truly appreciate you making this video and hope you will share more with us in the future. Love your site. It's great! Happy baking. Denise
Tracy
Perfect! Thank you for sharing. Love your cakes and other goodies. Forget the haters... Focus on those of us who appreciate your skills and willingness to share them with us! Your a rockstar as far as I am concerned! <3!
ifii
Thank you for your tutorials. I watched the messy ruffles video and I did not notice any of those negative issues commented about!!! It just shows what goes on in the mind of some people. Some people have trained themselves to see the negative all the time. I come here to see your lovely cakes, learn whatever you freely share and dream about when my cakes will be as lovely as yours. I love your kindness and sincerity and believe me, the ruffles video showed me why mine are never properly ruffled. I've learnt a lot from you, even bought some very useful decorating tools. Keep up the good work.
Kate Storjohann
THANK YOU Rose! Like everyone else, I started on the outside. Now I know what to do! Don't let negative people make you feel bad! Some people can be so mean.
I ran across your website by accident last year and have been a faithful follower ever since. Your tutorials (picture or video) are amazing! I have learned so much by reading your blog! Thank you SO much for sharing! You are such a blessing to so many!
Kate <
Paola
Hi Rose, haven't had a chance to watch this particular video yet, however I can tell you that no matter how good it is, the people that critize you are doing it because the envy you and have no will power to get out of the chair and do something useful in life. They need to get a life. They say that people that try to bring you down is beause they are not strong enough to lift you up. Better leaving them out of your life, not worth your precious time.
I thank you very much for all you do, not everybody has the courage to share like you do, sometimes because they are scared that they will "steal" their business. I admire you for always sharing and taking the time to answer even the most silly questions (like mine 🙂 Keep it up girl!
Paola
Kim
Rose, that was a great video. I'm going to start doing my cupcakes that way now. I was going from the outside edge of the cupcake inward. See? I always learn something from you.
Don't listen to hate-filled people on the web. Taking negative comments on the web seriously can sometimes be akin to taking comments on a bathroom wall seriously! People feel secure behind the anonymity of their keyboards and feel brave to make cruel and deflating remarks. Remember WE (your website disciples) are the ones who love you and take your word for gospel. You know your stuff, lady, and don't let anyone tell you anything different!
xo
Sharon A.
Thank you so much for posting that!!!! It may be simple...but sometimes even the most simple things need to be shown to us by a pro!!! I can't tell you how much I appreciate you sharing your knowledge! I did not realize that you start from the inside and then work from there (I only did that for my rose cupcakes...but I LOVE this big swirl!!!)...that will make a big difference for me!
I don't want to go on and on about how I feel about people who choose to criticize decorating videos with negativity and ugliness. I will just say, regarding those people, "Jealous much?"
Keep up the BEAUTIFUL WORK!
Barbara C
Put me in the starting on the outside category too. Thanks for setting us straight! Lovely cupcakes!!!
Maria
Thanks for the tutorial, Rose! Out of curiosity, would you start at the center regardless of tip used?
peggy
Rose love the video I also start on the outside
I just did a wedding of 200 cupcakes. Idid three different kinds one was a chocolate raspberry with a raspberry filling. One was a banana cupcake the other was a red velvet. All of them was pearl spray with white pearls .I tried to sprinkle them on but they just rolled off. So I had to place them on with tweezers. Is there an easier way. Thanks for all your great tips
Rose
Usually if you sprinkled the pearls on before the frosting forms a crust, they'll stick. So I usually frost 6-8 cupcakes, stop and sprinkle them, then do 6-8 more. If you let them sit for more than a few minutes, the crust will begin to form and the sprinkles or pearls will not stick!
KimMJ
I recently found your site and love it, think I'll stay for a while:). Thanks so much for taking the time to make and post the videos. This one was a really big help to me. I am really enjoying your blog as well as your wonderful recipes. 🙂
Rose
I'm so glad you stopped by!! 🙂
Joy
Hi Rose! I have been wondering how to do this with the cupcakes mine never look as good as yours and I am so thankful I have found you for me to learn from Thank you so much can't wait to try some of your recipes as well.
Rose
Awww, I'm SO glad to help! Best of luck with your cupcakes!
Christine
Love the video. I think it was just perfect and I'm going to try your method. Also when you have buttercream frosting is it best to chill it for a few minutes? Sometimes when I make mine it's really warm and it doesn't take shape. Can you help? Thank you.
Rose
Mine is usually good to use right away when I make it, but if it does get soft, I definitely recommend chilling to stiffen it back up a bit!
Anna
Thank you Rose, it was an excellant video. 🙂
Azucena Garcia
Nice job
Rose
Thank you!
Brenda Pruzinsky
Love it... Thank you it will give me another way to icing cupcake...:)
Rose
Thank you and you're welcome!
Heidi
Great job!. Thanks for the video.
Rose
Thank you!!
Linda
Thanks for sharing the video. I can't wait to give this a try!
Rose
Awesome!
Debbie Mereau
Our Church is having a baby shower and they have asked for volunteers to make cupcakes. Your video has given me the courage to make some and have confidence that they will look pretty. Thank you for that and your great video.
Angie Espinosa
Love the video, and music. 🙂 thank you for sharing your talent with everyone. Now I'm off to decorate cupcakes. My daughters wedding is coming up soon, I promised her I would do a Peacock theme looking cupcake. Thanks again for sharing.
Janet Vinyard
Hi Rose, Enjoyed the video - well done! Blessings, Janet
Rose Atwater
Thanks Janet!
Erlene A
Great video! I have to show my youngest dd, she is my frosting helper. Thanks for sharing on Merry Monday. Hope to see you again!
Diane P.
I'm new to your website/blog and so happy I found it! You do a great job and as others have comments, those people who are negative are just rude. I myself could not begin to talk and try to teach and you make it look easy and not so intimidating. Thank you so much!!!