Icing Tips For Cake Decorating

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So, you baked a delicious cake, and now you want to make it a feast for the eyes, too. Follow these tips and tricks for decorating and displaying your cake in style.

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Cool Your Cake

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Credit: Con Poulos

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The Sweet Stuff

swiss meringue buttercream

Credit: Johnny Miller

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Ice Away

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Lovely Layers

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Layer cakes look beautiful and are easier to assemble than you would imagine. Master the basics -- from trimming to crumb-coating -- with this helpful how-to.

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You Can Pipe It

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Add the perfect finishing touch to your sweet treat with this pastry-decorating set, complete with a pastry bag and six stainless-steel tips.

Shop the Martha Stewart Collection, macys.com.

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How to Fill a Pastry Bag

To prep your pastry bag properly, insert a coupler, add your tip and ring, fill the bag with frosting, and secure the bag closed.

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The Toothpick Trick

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Before piping, poke holes into the surface of the frosting with a toothpick to sketch out shapes and letters. If you don't like the look of your toothpick pattern, just smooth over the frosting with an offset spatula and try again.

Get More Piping Tips

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The Cookie-Cutter Trick

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Even the best bakers rarely freehand. To make shapes that look nice and neat, press a cookie cutter lightly into the frosting, then pipe over the imprint.

Get More Piping Tips

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For Frosting Novices

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New to pastry decorating? Don't sweat it. This cute kit has everything you need -- decorating bottles, tips, a spatula, and more -- to turn your cake into a confection worthy of a bakery display window.

Shop the Martha Stewart Collection, macys.com.

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Porcelain Pedestals

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There's no better place to display your Bundt, layer cake, or batch of cupcakes than on a pretty pedestal. With three different sizes (and both square and circle shapes available), these porcelain cake stands will help your sweets make a statement.

Shop the Martha Stewart Collection, macys.com.

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Balloon Bonanza

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Credit: Diane Fields

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A Stand-Up Dessert Display

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A freshly baked batch of cupcakes look ripe for the picking when displayed on this cute and collapsible cupcake tree.

Shop the Martha Stewart Collection, macys.com.

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Get Fancy with Faux Bois

white chocolate cupcake decoration

Credit: Raymond Hom

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Photo Cupcakes

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Home Depot Tip: DIY Cupcake Stand

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