How to Use Buttercream Stencils to Create Gorgeous Patterned Cakes

flower stenciled buttercream

Hither'south the affair: you don't need to exist a whiz with a paint brush to create beautifully patterned cakes. All yous really need are stencils. They plough smears of buttercream into gorgeous, crisp patterns and create tasty works of art. In one case yous get the technique downwardly, you tin can use it with any stencil to make a wide diverseness of desserts, whether y'all prefer an all-over pattern or just a few accents.

How to Cull the Right Stencil

At that place are a lot of stencils to choose from. Proceed these tips in mind before adding one to your cart.

1. Be Flexible

Flexibility is central when using stencils on buttercream. Wait for ones that are thin and bendy, so they'll easily form to the cake'due south curves.

2. Become Reusable

Choose reusable stencils made from plastic or thin foam. You lot'll be cleaning the stencil frequently and subjecting it to a lot of butter, and then paper and cardboard stencils are out.

iii. Start Slow

Pick the stencil that best matches your skill level. If you're but starting out, cull 1 with a large opening and minimal details. Every bit y'all grow more confident with your block decorating abilities, you lot tin reach for more intricate stencils.

4. Skip Multi-Step Stencils

Choosing a stencil with multiple layers is just asking for trouble, particularly when you're using buttercream. It'south non impossible, but it requires you to chill your cake between each layer and opens up the room for error.

five. Trim the Corners

Information technology'southward best to trim off any hard corners that could poke at the buttercream. So don't use stencils yous're agape to customize.

Stenciled Buttercream Block

Level: Easy

What You Need

  • Buttercream-frosted cake, chilled solid (American buttercream or Swiss meringue buttercream work swell)
  • Extra buttercream for stenciling (about 1 cup per colour)
  • Gel food color
  • Flexible stencil
  • Scissors
  • Shortening
  • Parchment paper
  • Beginning spatula
  • Food-safe paintbrush
  • Piping bags
  • Small circular pipe tips
  • Revolving cake stand up (optional)
  • Piping purse stand up (optional)
  • Good to Know: Your block needs to be chilled solid before you begin stenciling. Soft buttercream will smear hands, and if your block isn't chilled all the fashion through it may dent with all the steadying and spreading as you work.

    Instructions

    1. Prep for Pipe

    cake with parchment paper on top

    Cut a piece of parchment paper and grease one side with a lite coat of shortening. Lay the paper shortening-side down on top of the block. This gives y'all a place to steady the cake and rest your hand as y'all piece of work while protecting the buttercream.

    Lightly grease the side of the stencil that volition impact the cake, using a paper towel to rub the shortening on. Use enough to make the stencil slick, but not and so much that y'all can run into the shortening.

    Pro Tip: If you plan on creating a pattern with your stencil or are working with a pocket-size cake, trim away the hard edges of the stencil before you grease.

    2. Brainstorm Stenciling

    stenciling flower leaves on cake

    Concur the stencil, greased-side downward, up to the block. Pipage the first color onto the stencil and use an offset spatula to spread it across the opening.

    Spread the buttercream from the middle of the opening out toward the edges. Lift the spatula away from the stencil to forestall the buttercream from running over the border onto the cake. Once the color is added, requite a final swipe over the area to level the buttercream.

    Pro Tip: Piping allows you to be more precise. When you just smear buttercream over a stencil, you run the hazard of pushing the color underneath your stencil, which tin can cause it to move and smudge (and totally ruin your design).

    3. Create a Ii-Toned Effect

    stenciling pink flower onto cake

    Pipe 2 shades of color over the openings of the stencil.

    Pro Tip: To color your buttercream in different shades of the same colour and attain an ombré effect , create your base color (the lightest you lot'll apply). Then separate some of this color into some other bowl and add together more food coloring to darken information technology.

    cake buttercream stencil

    Carefully spread the buttercream beyond the stencil to shine and blend the colors. We started with the light pink buttercream and spread toward the darker shade on the edges of the petals.

    4. Remove the Stencil

    finished buttercream stencil

    The moment of truth! Advisedly elevator i edge of the stencil from the cake and peel information technology away in a smooth move.

    If any buttercream has escaped the edges of the stencil, gently remove information technology using a paintbrush or the tip of a knife. If your block has softened, place information technology back in the fridge until it'due south solid again. (Buttercream smears will be easier to scrape away when the cake is firm.)

    Wipe your stencil clean, then motility on to your side by side design.

    5. Echo

    buttercream stenciling

    Keep working around your cake, making sure to clean your stencil between every use.

    To create a pattern that flows over the edges of your cake, set it on a pan of the aforementioned size and use your stencil normally. The design will flow off the cake and onto the pan, but information technology'southward an easy clean-upward. Or, if yous don't plan on using your stencil over again, you tin cut away the portion that will fall off the block.

    6. Add the Final Details

    finished stenciled cake

    Requite the pattern more dimension by piping whatever terminal details, like the eye of the flowers and a pearl border around the base. This is besides a good opportunity to cover whatsoever niggling mistakes made during stenciling.

    Your cake (or should nosotros say masterpiece?) is washed!