Hi! Hope your week is going well!
Today, I’d like to say thanks to you for visiting my pink blog; I’m so grateful to have such lovely people commenting, asking questions, and sharing experiences here as well. Sweetopia has become such a labour of love for me; thank you for dropping by.
I took some time the last few days to put a video together on filling a piping bag and my favorite cookie decorating tools because I’ve gotten lots of questions from you about cookie decorating basics. So, in the next little while, I’m going to try and start from the beginning by doing videos on making royal icing, making sugar cookie dough etc., and am also slowly working on an in-depth Kopykake Video Tutorial.
Today’s post is going to be short and sweet, because seeing how a piping bag is filled, and seeing my favorite cookie decorating tools, is probably much easier than me ‘splaining them.
How to Fill a Piping Bag & My Favorite Cookie Decorating Tools
If you can’t see the video, click HERE.
Still working on the sound issues (hope it was better this time), but hope you liked the tips.
You’re welcome to leave a comment below or on my facebook page here if you’ve got any comments, questions or would like to share some tips of your own!
xo,
Marian
Yaneri says
Yey! Love your tutorials Marian!!!
And by the way………LOVE your hair!!! Gorgeous!!
Paula says
I like watching the videos just to see if I can learn something new or to reinforce what I am already doing. Thanks for sharing all of your knowledge.
Erin Wilhelm says
Thanks for sharing! For some reason I never wrapped my little purple bands like rubber bands. Not sure why I didn’t but I will now. As always I love your blog! Thanks!
niner from wechooseorganic.com says
OH YES the sound is great Marian, looooove the video. You’re such a beautyyyy!!
Your tips really are a big help! So great to have you and your website..I check it all the time.
WHat I wll definitely do is to use rubber bands next time…You told us for a reason :))
blessings..
niner 🙂
Nikki says
Great Marian! Thanks! I’ve also noticed my tips starting to tarnish now that I use them more. Disappointing. Ideas to clean them up before they start to rust? The sound was perfect too.
Marce776 says
You are not just talented, but also beautiful. Yay for the basics, now I know how to fill the bag without making a huge mess all around, thank you!!!
Sukaina says
Thanks for the fabulous tips! I always put mine in a glass to fill but I like your way of holding it in the hand faster and easier! Look forward to more videos.
ruth says
Hi Dear,thanks very much for sharing all these good tips,it´s always helpful.Have a nice day
La Repostera Valiente says
What a coincidence! We are preparing a tutorial, in Spanish : ” how to fill the pastry bags for waste (almost) nothing of royal icing”. And also includes some ideas for when you just have to put a little of royal icing and you don’t want to fill a pastry bag.
Love the “favorite tools”. Thank you very much for share your knowledge.
Un beso, Miriam G.
Ken⏐hungry rabbit says
Thank you for a very clear and precise basic tutorial. Though simple, it is the talk that I need to get comfortable about piping.
Brenda says
Thank you for your tutorials. They are always very helpful. Love your cookies.
Brenda
Carolina says
Hi Marian,
I love your tutorials! They are very easy to understand! I am a begginer in cookies decorating, so they help me a lot!
Best wishes!
Um abraço (a hug im portuguese)
Carol from São Paulo, Brazil
shelly (cookies and cups) says
great video!! I need to get some PME tips! I’ve been wanting to try them for so long 🙂
Marian (Sweetopia) says
@ Yaneri: Thanks! I tried to make an effort and did something with it for you guys. LOL
@ Paula: My pleasure! Glad you’re here visiting.
@ Erin Wilhelm: I do like them a bit better than elastic bands because you don’t have to wrap them around quite as much. 😉
@ niner from wechooseorganic.com: Thanks Niner, you’re so sweet!
@ Nikki: The best thing you can do is try not to leave them in water or not to leave the icing in there for too long. (more than 24 hours I’m guessing). I’m bad for leaving my tips soaking in water too long (like overnight hehehe), after I’m done decorating, because I don’t love cleaning them.
@ Marce776: Thank you for the lovely compliment!
@ Sukaina, @ ruth: Thank you! Have a nice day too!
@ La Repostera Valiente: Super! I’ll check it out even though my Spanish is a bit rusty.
@ Ken⏐hungry rabbit: Glad to help you even a bit!
@ Brenda, @ Carolina: Thanks so much!
Darcy's Cupcake Creations says
Love the tutorial and your blog and follow with such admiration.
Thank you for taking the time to share your tips, which are always useful.
Just a quick question – how to do you wash and dry the piping bags to reuse? Usually allows chuck mine!
bridget {bake at 350} says
A. Love your nails! 🙂
B. LOVE this video! I learned something new! I didn’t even know Ateco made couplers!
C. Well, I had more to say, but now I forgot. 😉 Anyway…awesome video, Marian!
Megan says
Great tutorial. It turned out wonderful! I’ve see examples of writing with Wilton vs. PME tips and the PME most certainly look better, why is that?
Here is the writing example (posted April 12): http://karenscookieblog.com/2011/04/
sweetsugarbelle says
You are so silly…I was looking for freckles, all I see is a gorgeous manicure….VERY good info, sharing now!
Katty says
I loved the video, it was very helpful…..thank you!
marian says
Thank you!
Marian (Sweetopia) says
@ Darcy’s Cupcake Creations: I just wash them with dish soap and water, rinse, stuff them with paper towel and let them air dry.
@ bridget {bake at 350}: Thanks!
@ Megan: What a great idea to compare the piping! I’m no scientist, so I can’t give you a proven answer, but my guess is that the extra length especially, and possibly the great quality (stainless steel), helps the icing come out a bit nicer.
@ sweetsugarbelle:Lol!
Mari's Cakes says
Marian you are the BEST!! I have both kinds of couplers, but I haven’t noticed that one float and the other one doesn’t. Great tip for when I go shoping again. Great tutorial!
Hayley S says
Thank you for all your videos!! I love watching them and making sure my technique is up to par 🙂 I’ve been having a tough time with the #1, #0 and #00 tips clogging. I know the icing should be thinned so it flows, but I’m afraid of it spreading too much. Could you give me some hints or advice?? Thank you again!!!!
CreatingSweetSmiles says
Thanks for the video, you did a great job and the sound was fine 🙂
Marian (Sweetopia) says
@ Mari’s Cakes, @ CreatingSweetSmiles: Thanks!
@ Hayley S: Those tips do clog easily! I have a post on that because it used to frustrate me too! Here it is:
https://sweetopia.net/2010/03/how-to-prevent-your-tips-from-clogging-and-what-to-do-if-it-happens-top-10-tips/
maria says
great video again, you are so talented.
thank you for sharing all your tips and knowledge.
I love your blog.
ML
Tiffany says
Thanks for the tips! Love the storage idea!
Beautiful rings by the way. Couldn’t help but comment, so sparkly!
Hayley S says
Thank you so so much Marian!! Your blog is amazing and I really appreciate you answering my post! Keep those wonderful videos coming 🙂
nikki says
Hi Marian
straight off the bat your hair looks fabulous! Thanks so much I find all of your tips so helpful. I just tried a pme for the first time today and now I want to throw out every other non pme and start afresh…. but alas I won’t!
Jill says
Here’s another tip: Instead of using the rubber bands around the tops of my bags, I use these clips (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70083252) from IKEA. I think they’re meant for the top of chip bags, but they are wonderful! The icing can’t seep through, they’re a total cinch to take on and off, and you can easily release them and slide them down as your icing level decreases in your bag. They have truly changed my icing-life!!
Francesca says
This tip about the rubber band is fantastic, I just tried it today!! Your posts are always nice and useful, thank you a lot!! <3
Estibaliz says
Thank you very much, Marian! I’m in love with your work!!
Deanna says
To prevent your tips from rusting, as soon as they are washed stick them on a cookie sheet in the oven (around 350 degrees) and let the oven dry up any water! Works great for cookie cutters too!!!
Marian says
@ Deanna: What a great tip! Thank you for sharing!
Mimi says
Hello Marian!! I don’t like your creativity, i LOVE it!!!
I would like to know the difference between royal icing (with meringue powder) and the Sugar Cookie Frosting Recipe i just found on internet (with Confectioners Sugar + milk + lemon juice + corn syrup). Could i decorate cookie and cake with this frosting recipe?
Thank you very much !!
xx
Marian says
Thanks Mimi!
You can decorate cookies with this recipe. I haven’t tried it on cake, as I prefer buttercream, but it can’t hurt to try!
The difference is as simple as they’re made of different ingredients so the taste is a bit different, and I find that the look is slightly different. The icing made with milk is more like a glaze, so it has slightly different look to it. You can still decorate with it, but I have a easier time with royal icing made with meringue.
Hope that helps.
Mimi says
@ Marian:
Many thanks!!!! xxx
Kensi says
Thanks for putting this video together!! It was very helpful as I’ve been reading your blog for awhile but just recently have I finally decided to try my hand at decorating with royal icing! I love your blog and all of your work, very inspiring! And I love your ring! So beautiful!!!
marian says
@ Kensi: Thank you!
Yoritomo says
Thank you so much for your video. I see you from spain and i love your blog
Karen Colon-Rodriguez says
The site looks great! Just love everything you do here. Hoping that one day I’ll be a winner. Just loved that Raspberry Kitchen Aid Mixer. Congrats!
Paula says
Marian, where did you find the round tip storage container? Your work is so incredible, thanks for sharing!
marian says
@ Paula: In the beading aisle at Michael’s Craft store; now they have even more selection (rectangular containers too).
John Snediker says
The rubberbands changed my life… lol well they helped me a lot decorating. Keeps the icing in the bag, tidy and you are right about those dang crusties! Nothing worse than having them fall on a cookie you are almost done icing!
I have a toolbox to keep all my decorating stuff. A good sized one is only $10 and they have lots of little compartments in the lid for tips and little pieces. Inside I can keep my bags I got funny looks when I took a decorating class at my local fabric/craft store, they thought I was there to fix the lights until I showed them my toolbox was filled with decorating gadgets. I don’t mind making pretty dainty cookies and things, I love it but can’t carry a pink flowery organizer! LOL
Another great video!
marian says
@ John Snediker: What a fantastic idea, John! I’m thinking I’m going to find myself a pink one. 😉
Casey says
I really liked your idea of storing the piping tips in the beads container! I always have a hard time locating the one I want in my giant container of all my decorating stuff. Thanks for the advice, I love hearing what other bloggers use to decorate their treats. I’m always on the lookout for ways to make my sweets prettier.
Giu says
This was SO helpful! 😀 Im starting right now with decorating, and this was an amazing video! 🙂 thank you!
Aly says
i admire you a lot! i’m so jealous because i’m so bad in piping. how can i practice it by myself? can you give me tips?