I’m no expert on piping buttercream, I’m still learning and still get it wrong quite a lot. Some days I have it, some days I don’t. I often have to look at videos on the internet to learn techniques and I wanted to share them with you plus a couple of tips from me too.

Lay the table top tips

• If you’re piping lots of the same buttercream, don’t load it all into the piping bag at once. Butter will get warm quickly in your hands and can make your buttercream melt and go sloppy, so doing it in parts will ensure it doesn’t all get too warm.
• If you’re using an electric whisk, don’t whisk on a really fast setting, this causes air bubbles to get into the mixture and give a texture like an aero bar. To remedy this and ensure you have a smooth buttercream before you use it, get a plastic/rubber spatula and scrape the mixture around the bowl until you see nearly no air bubbles left.
• Ensure you use the right icing for the job – cream cheese doesn’t pipe well because it’s too runny, swiss meringue buttercream isn’t as sweet as other types. Do some research and find the best type for the cakes you are icing.

Video tutorial: Buttercream frosting technique using a palette knife

Video tutorial: Multi level buttercream swirl

Video tutorial: A flower type buttercream swirl

Video tutorial: Flower petal layers using buttercream

Video tutorial: Plain buttercream swirl

For the past 6 weeks I’ve been on a cake decorating course, learning the basics such as how to put marzipan and royal icing on, plus learning how to make a simple spray of roses and blossom to top the cake with. I’ve enjoyed it so much I’m returning to do a more advanced sugarcraft course in a couple of weeks!

Whilst I’ve been the youngest person on the course, it’s been fun getting to know everyone and take a couple of hours on a Monday night to learn a new skill. It’s not the cheapest skill in the world to learn to do (but come on, what hobby ever is?!), but fortunately for me my Mum has donated me (albeit temporarily) her sugarcraft tools so I can practice. She also got me this fantastic book:

I’ve still got a long way to go to get to the top but it’s quite relaxing! If you are interested in getting into sugarcraft, I really would urge you to take a course rather than try and teach yourself at home, it’s one of those kinds of things that’s much easier demonstrated! If you live in the Leeds area, I went to Sugarcraft Supplies, in Garforth for my cake decorating course, otherwise the British Sugarcraft Guild should be able to help you locate courses in other areas of the country. Personally I found it very hard to find one in the Portsmouth area, and was on a waiting list. Luckily for me, I moved and found one!