Decorating Ideas for Cupcakes

A head of curly hair is actually a bunch of small rosettes made with a No. 16 tip -- if you like, add more for a different hairstyle. The nose is piped with a No. 12 tip, and the eyes and mouth with a No. 4.

Start with a No. 4 tip for the flower's stem, then make the leaf and petals with a No. 352. Go back to a No. 4 to add the flower's center. When using the same tip for more than one color, be sure to wash it out well.

Use a No. 4 tip for lines and dots; with the tip just above the cake's surface, squeeze, and let the icing fall into place across the cupcake.

Buttercream bluebirds and a coconut nest are perched atop cupcakes frosted with chocolate buttercream.

Gold petal dust adds shimmer to our Mexican Chocolate-Pudding-Filled Cupcakes.

Although these buttercream chrysanthemums may look difficult, a steady hand and a bit of practice is all it takes to produce a whole bunch of them.

Jelly beans form the kernels of these summertime cupcakes, and Laffy Taffy is the finishing pat of butter on top.