I love the pretty pink color and the smooth texture of this frosting, pink frosting is by far my favorite color, but luckily you can make your rose cupcakes in any color you would like, beige and cream color frosting really look pretty on cupcakes as well. Remember just a little color goes a long way!
One of my favorite memories as a kid is pink frosting. It’s funny how memories can linger on forever!
My mom made me a cake with pink frosting for one of my birthdays.
WOW was it pretty…
I remember every detail! I remember watching her pipe the edges and I appreciated the time it took her to make my cake so pretty.
I was all about PINK then (my whole room was pink including the carpet) and some things haven’t changed. My favorite color frosting is still pink.
Rose frosting looks good in so many colors you’ll have to give your favorite color a try and looks great on vanilla cupcakes or chocolate cupcakes! The recipe for this smooth silky American Buttercream Frosting is in the recipe card below.
If you like pink frosting don’t miss seeing this Pink Coconut Cake and my Fruity Pebbles Cake and these adorable Russian Rose Cupcakes, these have tiny roses all over them!
There is a lot of info in this post, including the recipes for my creamy buttercream frosting as well as cupcake recipes, tips tricks, and how-to. I’ve also updated this post with my cupcake guide, so be sure to check it all out!
My top 3 must-have cupcake baking items:
One of the best things about frosting cupcakes in pretty roses (or rosettes) is that it only takes a few seconds to frost each cupcake and once you get the hang of it you’ll be surprised how quickly you can a whole batch of cupcakes.
When you have a whole tray of cupcakes in front of you, with a few practice swirls you will be frosting roses in no time at all.
There are many reasons why these cupcakes are my all-time favorite, I love chocolate cupcakes and pink frosting the contrast in colors is so pretty.
The dark liners on the cupcakes give them a really nice finished look. I like these Dark Brown Liners.
If you bake (or craft) a lot and often run out of counter space try THIS, rack it’s a real space saver I use it all the time for cookies, cupcakes, and even when we work when putting together puzzles, I spread out puzzle pieces onto baking sheets and stack them up to see everything easily!
Here is a great set of piping bags along with piping tips.
Don’t miss one delicious recipe and get my FREE e-cookbook click here!
A few tips when frosting these cupcakes:
- practice on a piece of wax paper or the bottom of a cupcake pan, so you can scrape off the frosting and place it back into your frosting bowl and use it when you ar frosting your cupcakes. If the frosting gets warm from practicing, place it in the fridge for 5 minutes, you don’t want it cold, but you don’t want it warm either.
- keep a damp towel nearby so you can wipe off the piping tip if it gets messy, don’t start piping if it’s already messy, it will only get worse as you pipe on the cupcakes
- start in the same position of each cupcake, don’t reach over cupcake you’ll be more likely to mess them up. Move the tray of cupcakes or move your body so you’re in front of what you are doing. If your kitchen counter is too high, try your table.
- you don’t need to pick up each cupcake, yes I do that in my video, so you can see what I’m doing. It is easier to place all the cupcakes on a baking sheet and pipe them that way. This method also avoids you handling each one after it’s piped.
- If you do mess up on frosting a cupcake, don’t worry, just swirl it smooth with a spatula and add some sprinkles. Having some difference in a whole tray of cupcakes often adds interest and who doesn’t love some fun sprinkles!
- When piping roses on a cake, you can either pipe them all flat, in a grid and even overlap them slightly or you can pipe them as I did, like in a bunch, the way you would see a grouping of roses in a vase, just reposition your hand so it’s at a different angle when piping and move around the cake when piping so it’s not in a specific pattern.
- If there is a space where there is no rose and really not enough room to add one, just squeeze the frosting to create a dollop to fill in any open areas.
- Take a look at the entire post here: Vanilla Wedding Cake
To create the tri-color frosting:
Click to see the video: How to Frost a Rose Cupcake
and if you like watching food videos be sure to check out the rest of my videos on YOUTUBE.
The most often asked questions on frosting rose cupcakes:
- What piping tip do you use: 2D piping tip…. (if you like seeing more of my favorite items look HERE)
- Can I use another tip: yes, but the roses will look different. The 2D tip is a curved star tip with 6 prongs. You can PURCHASE the tip HERE
This is the “nozzle” used to pipe the rose cupcakes, I find people searching for what piping tip to use to frost rose cupcakes, and what piping tip to use to frost rose cupcakes, and buttercream rose nozzle to find out what tip to use. It’s the 2D tip!
- What recipe do you use for your frosting: the recipe is below as is easy to print, it provides creamy frosting perfect for piping onto cakes and cupcakes.
- Where is your Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe HERE just click here to print.
Here is my Small Batch Chocolate Cupcake Recipe (6 cupcakes) - You’ll find my Vanilla Cupcake Recipe HERE
Small Batch Vanilla Cupcake Recipe (6 cupcakes) - And my favorite Italian Buttercream Frosting Recipe HERE: this frosting is not as sweet as “American” buttercream, it’s my favorite tasting frosting, it’s a softer frosting so it’s not the best if you plan on serving them outside in the summer. Otherwise, if you are an intermediate baker, this frosting is a must. It’s not a beginner frosting, you’ll need a candy thermometer, you’ll be whipping eggs, and also making syrup. But it’s so yummy and worth learning.
I also have a fun recipe for chocolate red-wine cupcakes that you could frost with a rose on top for a delicious and elegant dessert.
CHECK OUT my guide to CUPCAKES: frosting, tips, and tricks
Below you’ll find the frosting recipe I used to make these cupcakes.
I’m SUPER excited to share with you the great news that my rose cupcake video has over 1 million VIEWS on youtube!
- 1 cup butter (if making it in hot weather use vegetable shortening)
- 4-6 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- Beat butter until smooth add powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream.
- Mix until smooth and creamy.
- If it's HOT outside and I don't want the icing to flop I either mix 1/2 butter 1/2 shortening or all shortening.
- Adjust powdered sugar if you add a lot of food coloring or extracts.
- For very white frosting, use all shortening, and add a few drops of Americolor white food coloring or a tiny drop of lavender/purple food coloring to offset the yellow in the butter to make it bright white.
Crisco tends to be heavy and thick,
Walmart's store brand is light and fluffy.
There are also differences in butter, some stay thick and some are softer when whipped.
All these differences will affect the final outcome of your frosting.
I often make the frosting a day ahead of time along with the cupcakes, but pipe the frosting the day I'm serving the cupcakes.
and if you’ll be traveling with your cupcakes don’t forget to get a Cupcake Carrier.
And if you like baking cookies, I have lots of tips, recipes, and info to share on cookies too…
Cookie Icing Posts to look at:
- How to ice cookies without a piping bag
- How to ice cookies without a piping bag VIDEO
- How to make glaze icing video
If you like this or any other recipe at 
Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com says
You are so cute Diane! I love this. You should do more of these for the cooking-impaired like me 🙂
xoxo
Jen
Paula says
Your vlog *debut* was great as was the lead-in to it. Looking forward to more 🙂
Nikki says
This was great. I have a few cake decorating tools, but have no idea to use them. I would love to be able to frost like you! Keep the videos coming.
BigBearswife says
I love this! I am so glad you posted this!!
Raina says
This is great Diane! I have been wanting to know how to do your beautiful rose cupckes. You make it look so easy. I think your voice sounds really nice and you look very pretty:) I always hate the way I sound in videos, though, too. I sound very nasally and have a bit of a Boston accent..not good..lol
Frugal Mom Jenn says
I think that was great! What I took from your video was that I should be frosting the cupcakes while they're in my hand, rather than while they're on the table. It made all the difference in the "flow" of the rose. Simple to some, but for whatever reason it hadn't occurred to me to do that! thanks, Diane
Di says
Thank you for the video!! You make it look so simple and I'm excited to try it!
Thanks again!
Pati @ A Crafty Escape says
Love the video and agree that seeing something like this is key as opposed to reading about it. Thanks for sharing with us!
Amy says
You made it looks so easy…but I know I'm going to mess this up! LOL But thanks for the video. Much better than a thousand words!
Leslie says
Great video for making that perfect rose!
Mickey says
Those are so pretty I thought they were made of material at first. Watched your video and you make it look so easy.
mickey
Sasha @ Global Table Adventure says
Looks awesome! I wish I'd known it was so easy 🙂
Kasey says
I am soooo glad that a link from the Idea Room led me here! I have seen the roses done in the same way on youtube but your roses are the only one's that I have seen done with the 2D tip and they are gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing!!!
Anonymous says
Hi Diane,
Made your icing roses last night on cupcakes for a bridal shower I'm having this weekend. Very pretty and after a little practice, very simple!!! Thanks for the helpful video. Love your blog!
Susan
Faaizah says
Omg! Thaaaaaank u soooo much for this!! Your video was great and I love how easy and fast your technique is! How did you get two tone in your bag? Mine all mixed together into a big mess of a new color! Thaaanks! Also would love your buttercream recipe, if u have a good one. Thanks again! Will definitely look for more of ur videos!
Diane says
I just swiped each colol on the opposite sides od the piping bag, leaving the center to mix together on it’s own. The buttercream recipe I use is 1 cup butter to 4 or 5 cups powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons milk and a teaspoon vanilla. For white frosting use shortening and clear vanilla. If it’s hot when you make frosting or you think it will be too soft just use shortenin, sometimes I use half butter half shortening, depends on how I want it to taste and the weather:) hope that helps let me know if you need more info. -Diane
Maria says
Beautiful cupcakes and great tips!
Kate@Diethood says
I can’t pipe for the life of me! 🙂 Thank you for doing this… I will most definitely follow your instructions!
Missy Cakes says
Hi Diane would you share your frosting recipe you used yo create the lovely rose design? I just looks so perfect and smooth!
Thanks
Anonymous says
Hi Diane,
Your roses are so lovely! For the frosting, do you use salted or unsalted butter? Thanks!
Diane says
I typically use salted as I am like the contrast in flavor, but I’ve used unsalted and it’s very delicious too 🙂
Tanya@TakeSix says
Diane, I made your cupcakes for Valentines. Your tutorial was a great help. I have linked your tutorial to my post which will go live on Monday if you would like to see it. Thanks so much!
Diane says
sounds great! Can’t wait to see your cupcakes 🙂
~Diane
sally @ sallys baking addiction says
Diane, I can’t even begin to tell you how helpful your rose frosting video was! i have been a bit nervous to frost my own cupcakes using piping tips, but you’ve given me the confidence! so very thankful i found this 🙂
Diane says
That is so great, I’m so glad you made them!
Kristin Frank says
I absolutely LOVE the rose cupcake. So awesome.
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
Great video, Diane! Love how easy that looks.
Ana Clara Rocha says
What tip do you use to make these roses?
Diane says
I use a 2D tip for the rose cupcakes
Esther says
Diane- I am eager to try your roses for a baby shower this weekend! You mentioned that I should use shortening for the icing if the weather is hot. How much? Do you just substitute it for the amount you would have used for the butter? Also have you ever used butter flavor shortening? Curious.
Diane says
Hi Esther,
Yes substitute equal parts shortening for butter. You can do 1/2 butter 1/2 shortening, or all shortening.
I do not like the taste of butter flavor shortening and it’s very yellow, so if you need white or a light color the yellow will effect it. You can certainly add extracts to give a different flavor, lemon, orange, almond, raspberry, mint. The possibilities are endless there.
Jewel says
It looks easy, and I would like to have a go at it myself, but I would have liked to have seen what type of nozzle you were using to do this.
Judith says
Hi Diane! I agree with your statement about someone or somebody will grab/steal your photo without any permission, it’s good that now we can water mark photos 🙂 Thanks for sharing your techniques and recipes…
Sara M says
Thanks so much for this wonderful idea. I am trying this for my parents 55th Anniversary. I’ll let you know how it goes!
Heather says
Love, love, love these!!! Can’t wait to try and make them. I am your newest fan here!
Renad says
I loved your video, thank you. I have to ask you about butter cream mine after its done you can feel the icing sugar still crunchy and i used different types ,and its the the same .is it normal to feel it?
Diane says
no the sugar should not be gritty, are you using powdered/confectioners sugar? it’s sounds like you’re using granulated sugar. Powdered sugar is super fine and fluffy. If when you are making it the icing is on the dry side add a bit of heavy cream, 1 teaspoon, not to much or it will become soupy. Let me know what kind of sugar you are using and we’ll try to problem solve and find out what is going wrong. Are you mixing it with a mixer? Is the butter at room temperature?
renad says
hello again, the sugar i use is icing sugar ,i even sometimes grind it myself to make sure sugar is fine, ,and butter at room temperature, and i use a mixer ,well sugar is not gritty but you can feel it , little crunchy which i don’t like it ,i wish you can help me with this matter, thank you
Diane says
I consider icing sugar to be the same as powdered sugar and it has the same consistency as powder not gritty at all and would melt on your tongue.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powdered_sugar
If that is the type of icing sugar you are using and you still feel you are getting a gritty texture, you could add a bit more heavy cream to it.
Another option is a different frosting. Italian Buttercream is a buttery type of frosting, less sweet and silky smooth. Here is my post on Italian Buttercream https://www.createdby-diane.com/2012/12/how-to-make-italian-buttercream-frosting.html
If you’d like more help, please let me know. You could reduce the amount of sugar you are using and see if that helps. I am thinking it’s the type of sugar. I linked to a photo of powdered sugar.
The Italian Buttercream Frosting may be the way to go 🙂
Hope that is somewhat helpful.
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Jeanette says
You are the cupcake queen Diane! Love the video – makes it look so easy!
Sarah says
Can you do the rose technique with a chocolate ganache? I want to make this espresso cupcake with a dark chocolate ganache, but the only way to make it pretty is to put the ganache on nice. I wanted to decorate it, but with it being so dark, I am finding a hard way to without adding another flavor component.
Diane says
no chocolate ganache won’t work in a piping bag. Here is a cupcakes I made with ganache, then added frosting on top of. Maybe this is what you wre looking for. You could pipe the frosting on top of the ganache like a rose. https://www.createdby-diane.com/2011/01/hot-fudge-sundae-cupcakes.html
Nueyer says
Those look lovely!! Can’t wait for my online purchase of icing tips to arrive so I can try this =)
Myles says
This blog was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I’ve found something that helped me. Cheers!
Lynn Sulackow says
Diane, Thank you so much for sharing your techniques. I thoroughly agree with your statement. Stealing someone else’s ideas is still stealing. I also own my business, Cheesecakes Unlimited. The majority of my cheesecakes are my own recipes, this also goes for the special names that they have. Wishing you the very best.
Ann says
Just wondering, how many cupcakes can you ice with 1 batch of your icing recipe? Trying to figure out if I need a whole recipe.
Diane says
This makes enough frosting to pipe the roses onto 24 cupcakes. (about 3 tablespoons of frosting on each cupcake if I recall my measurements correctly) Hope that is helpful. ~Happy Baking!
Dena says
Patience ….
Adriane says
Hey! I used your frosting recipe on my cupcakes at a gender reveal party last week. IT WAS SOOOOO YUMMMY!!! I am hooked! I linked to you on my blog here:
https://www.oneluckypickle.com/2014/01/pink-or-blue-gluten-free-gender-reveal.html
Carolyn says
I do not have sound on this computer it is not working what tip did you use for the rose cupcakes.
Diane says
I use a 2D tip
Meire says
Beautiful roses! Thanks for sharing that. What # tip should I use?
Diane says
I use a 2D tip.
carolyn says
Love your recipe and how to frost the roses but, you don’t have patients unless you’re a doctor. I believe you meant patience.
Carol says
Can you please tell me what brand 2D tip. Thanks.
Diane says
It’s a Wilton Tip
Carol says
Thanks so much for your sper quick reply.
Holly N @ Spend With Pennies says
So pretty! Great video, you make it look so easy! Can’t wait to give it a try!
Sharon says
I am curious what food coloring, brand and color you used to get the beautiful pink color you used in your instruction video and photos?
Diane says
I use Americolor food coloring. It’s available at cake/baking supply stores as well as Amazon if you are unable to find it near you. Those roses were made with soft pin and egg yellow. The colors deepen the long the frosting rests (keep that in mind when mixing)
flowerolign training says
I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this blog.
Anna Wright says
I”m gonna try or not, but this looks so delicious & colourful, even i tried too, I’m not sure about to get texture like this,
Leo Sigh says
How weird. I had NO idea it was this easy to do. My grandma used to frost roses and other flowers on all her cakes, and I don’t ever remember her telling me how she did it.
Thanks for the video 🙂 Know what my next cupcakes are going to look like 🙂
Diane says
These roses are way easier that piping each petal of a rose, which is a more traditional way of piping roses. Hope you enjoy them!
Kal says
Thanks so much! I love how your buttercream looks. It looks so creamy! n flawless.. Will try your recipe next time for sure.. Thanks again 🙂
usps tracking says
wow, these cookies look delicious, i also want to try them for my family to eat, thank you for sharing the way.
Mona says
This is so great, I just love these rose cupcakes, so pretty. Thanks for all the info, wow this post is power packed.
Joelle says
THIS is such a great post, I love all the details and recipes and I just love how pretty these rose cupcakes are, thanks so much.
Trish says
I love these gorgeous cupcakes, I watched the video and am now ready to try it myself, thanks for all the tips.
Alice says
These rose cupcakes are gorgeous, you have the best recipes, I can’t wait to make these in white for a party I’m going to this weekend.
Wilma says
These cupcakes are so beautiful, I’ve seen some roses before but these are stunning. I’ll be making them for my family this week.
Lyla Hassan says
This looks so beautiful and you have explained the recipe very well too…Thanks, Diane.
Shahid Maqbool says
This looks so beautiful and you have explained the recipe very well too…Thanks, Diane.
Emma James says
Really much detailed guide on How to frost a rose on a cupcake. I must appreciate the efforts of yours.. Thanks again for sharing this so much detailed and step by step guide.
Rita says
Thank you so much for all this great info on the rose cupcakes, I am always looking for up my decorating skills!
Debb says
Get to the point already! I don’t need your life story!
Diane says
I always laugh when I get comments like yours. It’s my website and I’ll write what I like, after 10 years of writing this blog it never ceases to amaze me that someone would take the time to make a snide comment instead of building others up, there are always those types of people that like to tear things down. It’s not that hard to scroll to the point you want to read, or read faster, or skim a post to get to the information you’d like.
Wishing you a wonderful day!