{tutorial} How to Frost Cakes Like a Pro!

I love to bake cakes for all different occasions but when it comes time to frosting the cake, I don't know what I am doing.  I just try to pack on the icing so every part of the cake is covered.  What I end up with is a great tasting cake but one that looks a mess!  I am sure a lot of you can relate.  So,  I thought it would be a great idea to put together amazing cake icing tutorials that I found and put them together in this post for you.

petal frosting tutorial ♥ la receta de la felicidad 

ruffle icing tutorial ♥ martha stewart

pastel swirl icing tutorial ♥ sweetapolita

  swirl frosting tutorial ♥ better homes and gardens 

rose icing tutorial ♥ i am baker

vertical ruffle icing tutorial ♥ bakers royale
 

ombre petal icing tutorial ♥ prudent baby 

simple icing tutorial ♥ whisk kid

Do you have a favorite way to frost a cake?  Would love for you share by leaving a comment. 

{tutorial} Fancy Cupcake Frosting from pen n' paper flowers

Recently, I had the privilege of contributing to The Party Dress Holiday Magazine.  When the issue went live, I was blown away by all of the holiday inspiration. One of my favorite contributions from the issue were cupcakes with the most beautiful frosting finish from Jess of pen n' paper flowers.  Jess is so sweet to share her Cupcake Frosting Finish using a French tip with us today.  The simple tutorial will have you creating beautiful cupcakes in a snap.  Perfect for your upcoming holiday parties!

You'll need one of these...

a JUMBO French Pastry Tip

Insert the tip into a pastry bag or ziploc bag and then fill the bag with frosting.  The frosting will need to be light and fluffy but somewhat dense/thick in order to hold its shape.

Jess used a Cream Cheese Peanut Butter Frosting for these cupcakes.

SQUIRT

Start with a squirt/blob of frosting that looks something like this...

TAP

Tap your cupcakes on the counter or flat surface until the frosting settles to your liking...

TOP

Top with a candy of your choice...

You can even try this on mini cupcakes too!

GET A LITTLE MORE FANCY...TAP and TOP

If you want to get a little more fancy, try a 3 tier effect using the same technique.

The trick is to pipe on the first layer, lifting up but not completely detaching from the first layer to begin the second layer.

Make the second layer slighter smaller...lift without detaching and repeat with a smaller circle of frosting to complete the third tier.

Again, tap the cupcake on the counter or flat surface until the frosting settles and add a small topping of choice.

Thanks so much Jess for sharing the tutorial with us.  Can't wait to start creating fancy frosting cupcakes for our upcoming holiday parties.

ENJOY!

{Giveaway} The Sweet Tooth Fairy - Cake Bites

UPDATE!!

We have a winner!

Comment #63 - Amy

Congratulations!

Please email stefanie@annaandblue.com to claim your prize.

A fairy has visited my blog today leaving a trail of sweetness behind her!

The Sweet Tooth Fairy, a gourmet bake shop specializing in assorted sweets is our FABULOUS giveaway this week.  The Sweet Tooth Fairy was founded by Megan Faulkner Brown in 2003 in Provo.

The company specializes in cupcakes, cookies, cakes, brownies as well as several other assorted sweets. Their famous “Cakebites” (candy-sized, chocolate-covered bites of cake) come in many delicious flavors such as double fudge, peanut butter, red velvet, coconut and more.  Yum! Yum!

The Sweet Tooth Fairy has been featured on The Rachael Ray Show, Martha Stewart Weddings, MSNBC, QVC and Woman’s Day Magazine.

 One LUCKY reader will win a 3 dozen pack of their AWARD-Winning Cakebites!
Talk about the perfect treat for your next party!

Who wants to WIN?? Here's how to enter:

1. Take a look at the delicious treats at The Sweet Tooth Fairy and come back here to leave a comment with your favorite treat.

2. Are you a fan of anna and blue paperie on Facebook? If not, become one here and "like" our page! If you are a new fan, please say hello on my Facebook wall. Then come back here and let me know that you did.

3. Follow anna and blue paperie on Twitter by clicking HERE. Come back here and let me know that did.

4. Do you follow my blog? If not, subscribe here.  Come back here to leave a comment that you did!

5. Become a fan of The Sweet Tooth Fairy on Facebook by clicking here and "liking" their page. Don't forget to say that anna and blue paperie sent you! Leave a comment here letting me know that you did.

6. For FIVE extra entries, post about this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter or your blog.  Leave a comment with the link here.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry! In order to be chosen as the winner, you MUST leave your contact info. Please leave your email so that I have a way of contacting you if you are the winner.

Winner will be chosen on Friday, July 15 2011 at 10:00pm (cst) Any entries after this time will be void. US Residents only. Winner will be selected using random.org.