The Wilton Method: Mastering Buttercream: A 4-Part Series
All levels | 1 hour 33 min
01:08
Part 1: Baking and Icing 101
00:52
05:02
05:09
02:41
02:37
02:36
08:53
03:15
01:35
Part 2: Decorating Cupcakes
00:38
02:22
02:43
01:07
04:05
06:21
03:11
Part 3: Gel Transfer Cakes
00:32
03:36
05:51
02:34
11:07
Part 4: Flowers and Leaves
00:35
05:29
03:41
04:03
02:21
Which Plan Works Best for You?
  • Explore our wide selection of classes with a Creativebug subscription
  • Or purchase just this class and enjoy it forever
Start Now
Learn the ins and outs of decorating cakes with buttercream icing in this four-part Wilton masterclass. Certified Wilton instructor, Stephanie Michel, leads you through all of the basics and then some, demonstrating tried and true techniques for decorating beautiful treats. You’ll start off with the basics, and by the end of the course you’ll be using professional techniques to create ornate patterns, floral motifs and fanciful borders with a variety of decorating bag tips.
 
Here’s what you’ll need:
For Prepping the Cake
  • Cake
  • Cake tester or toothpick
  • Bake Easy! or Cake Release
  • Nonstick cake pan or aluminum pan
  • Bake Even Strips
  • Cake leveler or serrated knife
  • Turntable (recommended)

For Decorating the Cake
  • Buttercream icing (see recipe below)
  • Mixer
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Decorating bags
  • Couplers
  • Color Right or Gel Color Set
  • Tapered spatula, silicone spatula, and large angled spatula
  • Toothpicks
  • Cake lifter (optional)
  • Icing smoother (optional)
  • Parchment paper
  • Bag ties (optional)
  • Scissors
  • Fork, spoon and butter knife
  • Practice board
  • Tip 1M
  • Tip 18
  • Tip 789

For Buttercream Icing
  • 1c solid vegetable shortening
  • 1t butter flavor (or flavor of choice)
  • 7-8t milk or water
  • 1T meringue powder
  • 4c or 1lb pure cane confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 pinch salt
 
The Wilton Method: Mastering Buttercream - Decorating Cupcakes
  • Cake board
  • Practice board
  • Decorating bag
  • Couplers
  • White cupcake liner or color cups
  • Cookie scoop or measuring cup
  • Cupcake corer
  • Medium consistency buttercream (see recipe in Part 1)
  • Cupcakes
  • Pudding or pie filling
  • Spatulas
  • Tip 230
  • Tip 18
  • Tip 2D
  • Tip 1M
  • Tip 12
  • Food-safe brush
  • Tri-coupler (if using a tri-coupler, you’ll need a 16” decorating bag)

For Yellow Cupcakes:
  • 3 cups sifted cake flour
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2/3 cup butter softened
  • 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Wilton Imitation Clear Vanilla Extract
  • 1 ¼ cups milk
 
The Wilton Method: Mastering Buttercream - Gel Transfer Cakes
  • Practice board
  • Piping gel (clear)
  • Ready-to-use gel tube
  • Decorating bags
  • Coupler
  • Parchment paper
  • Cake
  • Medium consistency buttercream (Stephanie uses white, watermelon pink, dark pink, black, green and teal for Ladybug; see recipe in Part 1)
  • Thin consistency buttercream (for writing on cake)
  • Lady Bug Pattern (see PDF)
  • Pencil
  • Food-safe paint brush
  • Tip 18
  • Tip 233
  • Tip 12
  • Tip 104
  • Tip 3
  • Confectioner’s sugar (optional)
  • Cake Turntable (optional)
 
The Wilton Method: Mastering Buttercream - Flowers and Leaves
  • Practice board
  • Decorating bags
  • Couplers
  • Medium consistency icing in colors of your choice (Stephanie uses yellow and brown for Sunflower and green for Leaves)
  • Thin consistency icing (for Cornelli lace)
  • Tip 352
  • Tip 2D
  • Tip 3
  • Tip 12
  • Tip 16
  • Cupcakes
  • Cookie cutter in desired shape (heart shape shown)
  • Food-safe paint brush
Downloads:
Learn how to:
  • Decorate cakes with buttercream icing
  • Techniques for decorating
  • Create ornate patterns, floral motifs and fanciful borders

What you’ll get:
  • Step-by-step expert instruction from the Wilton Instructors on mastering buttecream icing
  • A multi-part video lesson you can access online anytime, anywhere
  • Detailed supplies list
  • The ability to leave comments, ask questions, and interact with other students
Class PDF
Transcript
Notes
Your timecode tags and notes for this section
The Wilton Method: Mastering Buttercream: A 4-Part Series Reviews
1943 users recommended this class to a friend
Monica Rupp
The instructor is very upbeat and does a great job showing techniques. However, her definition of smooth is different than mine when it come to icing a cake or cupcake. I also feel the designs demonstrated on the cakes and cupcakes would appeal more to kids wanting to learn how to decorate more than adults. I would recommend this class to a child but not an adult.
February 27, 2024
 
Jessie Davis
love it
More than 3 months ago
 
Jessie Davis
Love these instructions
More than 3 months ago