How to Use Piping Nozzles (Bold Baking Basics)
Save RecipeHi Bold Bakers!
What’s the point in having piping nozzles if you don’t know how to use them? I went looking for a video on how to use piping nozzles and I couldn’t find one that was comprehensive, so I’m making my own. I’m going to show you how to use the most common piping nozzles. For this post I feel it is imperative that you watch the video as all of the detail and explanation is shown.
Star Nozzle
A star nozzle can be big or small. Piping nozzles generally have a number on them. This is number 32, but note it can be different sizes and be labelled with different numbers.
Round Nozzle
The round nozzle I used is number 12. It gives you a lovely round, smooth finish and it especially looks great on cupcakes.
Basketweave Nozzle
This nozzle is called a bakset weave nozzle. Mine is number number 47. It is jaggedy on one side and smooth on the other. Also sometimes this nozzle is smooth on both sides. This is a really pretty design to do on cakes not to mention easy to get great results.
Closed Star Nozzle
The closed star nozzle is similar to the star nozzle but it is closed in more on top. This is number 30. You can use this the same way as the star or you can create a fun shell design.
Drop Flower Nozzle
This nozzle is number 106. It gives you pretty little flowers on top of cupcakes and cakes.
Grass Nozzle
This is a really fun nozzle because it creates grass and fur on animal cakes. It is number 233. It’s really easy to use, just pipe and pull, and repeat.
Leaf Nozzle
There are lot of different types but mine is number 352. So I suggest practicing this one because it will take a moment to get used to. Just pipe and pull. Put pressure on there in the beginning so it gives you more body at the bottom of the leaf, then stop the pressure and pull away.
Rose Nozzle
This nozzle is number 104. Some people find this a tricky one to master. I’m going to show you how to create stacked ruffles with it.
What to use in your piping bags, try my Best-Ever Vanilla Buttercream Frosting recipe. And if you found this Bold Baking Basic useful you might also like my 4 Fun Ways to Decorate a Cake and my Weight Conversion Chart for Baking.
Meet Gemma
Hi Bold Bakers! I’m Gemma Stafford, a professional chef originally from Ireland, and I’m passionate about sharing my years of experience to show you how to make game-changing baking recipes with over-the-top results! Join more than 1 Million other Bold Bakers in the community for new video recipes every week!
Have you made a recipe? Share photos on my website or across social media with the hashtag #boldbaker.
And don't miss my NEW Bold Baking recipes and tips. Sign up for my weekly email newsletter.
helo i want to buy a set of the nozzles for decoration and i am from Nigeria
Hi Paul,
I do not know what you have available to you in Nigeria. I buy a lot of my equipment from Amazon. (https://amzn.to/2NfpsmA) you can research these here, and then you may find somewhere to purchase online where you live.
Thank you for being in touch, I hope you can find what you want,
Gemma 🙂
Hi. I am new into baking. I found your website on Facebook and since then your receipes and techniques have helped me big time to improve my baking. This nozzles technique is also awesome. I love all your receipes. Thanks a lot.
Hi Athel,
Thank you for your kind words, I am delighted you are baking with us.
Lots more to come!
Gemma 🙂
Hi, Which piping bag and nozzels are best for first time users ? I am new to this. Please tell me from where i can buy and which brand ?
Hi Vinny! I’d recommend the Sweet Creations OodleTip Piping bags because the bag and tip are one and you can cut the tips into a variety of shapes rather than buying a whole bunch of nozzles. If you aren’t able to purchase it on Amazon, please let me know and I can make other suggestions. I hope you enjoy!
Can I use a plastic nozzle instead of the stainless one?
Hi there,
Yes, you certainly may,
Gemma 🙂
Hi Gemma
I’m First time baker. I hv seen ur baking recipes posts n videos r really inspired me to do something . I want to ask u can I use regular sugar/powdered sugar than confectioners sugar? I was using whipped cream for frosting but it never come out well will try ur recipe definitly.
Thanks dear ,
Snehal
Hi there,
Yes! this is the same thing. Confectioners sugar is icing sugar is powdered sugar.
Whipping cream is a different thing in different places. It really never makes a good frosting, a gread topping, or side dish though!
Gemma 🙂
Hello Gemma! I can’t believe I found your blog! This is pure gold what you have here. Making alternatives from easy cheap resources are just what I love to do. I love how simple and effective your recipes and tips are.
I’d like to know how you pipe with a curved rose Petal tip. Youtube doesn’t have a lot on curved Petal tips other than piping a life-like rose. Other than piping a rose what can you do with them? Thanks in advance!
Hi,
I’m really sorry for my late reply. I don’t know how I I am thrilled you found my website. Welcome and make sure you check out all of my recipes.
If I’m understanding you correctly and you are talking about a M1 rose tip you can use it just as a swirl. I’m not sure if that was much help :/
Gemma.
Hi Gemma , I want to learn sponge eggless cake respie..Please help me .
Hi there,
This is a big question! This really depends on what you wish to do with the sponge, a cake, a topping, cupcakes etc.
eggs are a really important part of baking. I have an egg substitute chart here (https://www.biggerbolderbaking.com/egg-substitutes-for-baking) this will help you with many of the recipes. There are also a number of suggestions online, but as I have not tried these I cannot vouch for them. google and see what you think,
Gemma 🙂
Hey Gemma,
Your all videos and recipe’s posts are super simple and easy to uderstand. I always watch videos from your Bigger Bolder Baking youtube channel. I really like it. Especially, I love the baking basics videos. These are the best lessons for begineers. So that they can easily start and learn baking. Thanks for writing this post i.e. how to use piping nozzles. It helps me out to use piping nozzles and decorate cake, cupcakes etc.
Once again thank you for sharing such valuable content with us.
I loved the weaving pattern, and made chocolate ganache, though the ganache was a little bit loose but i was able to make the weaving. 😀
Good job! i am happy you tried this. Ganache is difficult to pipe if you do not beat it and chill it a little, well done you 🙂
Hi Gemma,
I love all of your recipe I tried almost all cakes, I even sell the ice cream at my cafe. I love all of the recipe thank you so much Gemma.
??
That is great Rita, thank you for being in touch,
Gemma 🙂
Hi to my super hero Gemma…. Can you please make some homemade French fries
Hi there,
That is too easy Anesha lol. You must know how to do this one. You cut your potato into the required size and deep fry them. The best fries are twice cooked, so you take them until they are soft, then you remove them from the pot and get the oil back up to 180C, then you fry them again.
I do not tend to do this type of recipe, as I am a baker, and i do not like to suggest deep frying as it is not always safe,
Gemma 🙂
Hey Gemma!
First time ever commenting on any social media. Your mug recipes, I am in love with them and tried many of them. Gosh girl those are amazing. Thanks for sharing this knowledge and BDW ores are my favourite too?. Be blessed and do a video on making of cupcakes, pizza and different breakfasts as well please as I love that Italian breakfast.
Best wishes n good luck.
Regards.
Ah! thank you, that really nice, I am happy to have you with us.
do check out all of the recipes here on the website, there are lots (200) or so, so plenty to keep you busy and fed too.
Stay tuned, there is lots more to come,
Gemma 🙂
Dear Gemma
Could show us how to make a coffee cake or cupcake in your upcoming videos. Another thing i wanted to mention is that it would be great if you started the breakfast series again!!!^_^||
Hi there,
I love coffee cake, and it is what my Mum makes for me when I am in Ireland, yum!
I will add this to my list, and it would make a great cupcake too!
I will get back to the breakfast series too, I am working on my content at the moment, thank you,
Gemma 🙂
Hey Gemma!
I love your YouTube videos a lot not only you know a lot about baking and food and you never fail to amuse me! Thank you very much for that! Please please continue to make subtitles / captions for you videos, thanks anyways!!
Hi Kary,
this is nice to hear, thank you for your kind comment,
Gemma 🙂
Hey Gemma,
I was wondering could you also do a bold baking basics how to.make a piping bag video? Been looking for it and haven’t found a satisfactory one yet. 🙁
This is such a simple thing really. If you can get a strong sandwich bag you can cut one corner of this to take the piping nozzle, then you favour this when filling it, just practice this a little, it works,
Gemma 🙂
Thanks! Will try it out!