How do they do that? Piping Gel Pattern Tranfer

Ever seen someone make a cake with a picture on it and you wonder just how it's done? Do you think that they must be really good artists to freehand a character or shape onto the cake? Well, I am here to burst their little bubble. It isn't about talent its about tools!

Supplies required:

Cake, leveled and iced
Piping bag with coupler and a #1 or #2 tip
Small, dry artists paintbrush
Parchment Paper
Design you wish to put on cake
Pen or marker
Piping Gel (wilton makes this)
Icing coloured to choice in piping bags with appropriate tips


First thing you will need is a picture to copy. The simpler the better. You will also need your pen or marker and your parchment paper. You place the parchment paper over the image and trace it with your pen. Then here comes the magic! You have to turn your image over so you don't touch the side you marked on. Take your bag with the #1 or #2 tip and put some piping gel in there. Take that piping bag and go over what you just traced! Once your image is completely outlined in piping gel take the parchment paper and line up where you want your design on the cake. Then, take your artists brush amd lightly go over the design again so you are pressing the icing gel onto the cake. Once you are done you can pull off the parchment and your design will be transferred onto your cake. Then you can go ahead and fill it in as you see fit!

This cake is done with this technique. First time attempted. You can do it too!